Gifts Name 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Israel Studies and Elevate Scholarship, Research and Learning
A joint philanthropic gift to 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Israel Studies will elevate the center鈥檚 groundbreaking work in the field of modern Israel studies and build bridges between nations, religions and cultures.聽Amy Meltzer and AU Board of Trustees member Alan Meltzer, CAS/BA 鈥21, and AU friends Jaime and Andrew Schwartzberg have made generous gifts as part of the university鈥檚 $500 million聽Change Can鈥檛 Wait campaign. In recognition of the donors, the center will be named the Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies. 聽
鈥淭he incredible support and collaboration of the Meltzer and Schwartzberg families not only ensures that the Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies will continue to thrive, but it also demonstrates the crucial role the center plays as a preeminent place for groundbreaking learning and scholarship about modern Israel,鈥 said AU President Sylvia Burwell. 鈥淎s we embark on the next 25 years, the center will continue its work to build bridges, break down barriers, and create the conditions for change and tolerance.鈥澛
Inaugurated in 1998 by Israel鈥檚 prime minister and future president Shimon Peres, the center was the first of its kind in the United States dedicated to studying the modern state of Israel. The center鈥檚 scholarship focuses on modern Israel鈥檚 history, society and culture, multiethnic democracy, and complex geopolitical challenges. It is a preeminent place for groundbreaking scholarship and exploration of these important topics and a home for engagement with Israel鈥檚 culture and people.
鈥淭wenty-five years after AU established the first Center for Israel Studies in the United States, we begin a new chapter with a new name,鈥 said Distinguished Professor Michael Brenner, who serves as the center鈥檚 director and as 麻豆果冻传媒鈥檚 Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies. 鈥淭he generous gifts of the Meltzer and Schwartzberg families will enable us to add new classes, to increase the financial support for our students, and to build academic bridges between 麻豆果冻传媒s and Israelis, Israel and the Arab world, and a divided Israeli society.鈥
The Meltzers鈥 gift follows their previous support to the center, including establishing the Alan L. Meltzer and Amy Meltzer Fellowship and a joint gift with the David and June Trone Family Foundation to endow the center鈥檚 annual conference. The Schwartzbergs, longtime friends of the Meltzers, were inspired to join this commitment in recognition of the center as a national leader committed to welcoming a diversity of thought and fighting antisemitism. The gift has been made as the center celebrates 25 years as one of the nation鈥檚 premier educational centers for Israel Studies and for preparing students to serve the global community and wage peace. 聽
Alan Meltzer said, 鈥淭hrough taking classes, attending events, and working with the outstanding faculty and staff, I鈥檝e seen firsthand the important work of the Center for Israel Studies to fight antisemitism, to build bridges, and promote inclusivity. The center takes a multidisciplinary approach to a complex history, culture, and geopolitical challenges. We鈥檙e proud to support the center鈥檚 impactful work.鈥