News Releases & Announcements
Dynamic Jewish Canadian Studies Program planned
OTTAWA, June 16, 2005 — The University of Ottawa today announced plans for a dynamic new program in Jewish Canadian Studies. The generous philanthropic leadership of Sara and Zeev Vered of Ottawa will be recognized by naming the prospective new program the “Vered Jewish Canadian Studies Program.” This interdisciplinary program of study will focus on the history, culture and literature of the Jewish diaspora in Canada, with teaching, research and continuing education in both English and French dedicated to improving dialogue between Jews and non-Jews.
“The University of Ottawa is committed to establishing a leading Jewish Studies Program, offering our students and the broader community an opportunity to engage in the study of the rich, historical, sociological and cultural realities of Canadian Jewry,” says President Gilles Patry.
“The planned program will be open to students from all interests and disciplines who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Jewish community and its contribution to the development of Canada,” says Institute of Canadian Studies Director Pierre Anctil.
Community leaders Sara and Zeev Vered were welcomed at the special event for this initiative, where the University announced its plans to name the program for the family. “We are pleased to be able to support this exciting new program,” said Sara Vered. “We strongly believe in the University of Ottawa’s plans to build a sustainable program of scholarship in Jewish Canadian Studies on a national scale.”
Renowned scholar, writer and historian, Irving Abella, delivered an address on the importance of Jewish Canadian studies.
The planned program will initially offer undergraduate and graduate courses, exploring topics such as Contemporary Canadian Jewry; English and French language Jewish literature and culture; Canadian Yiddish literature and culture; Relations of the Jewish-Canadian Community with its non-Jewish environment; Social, economic, and ethical contributions of Canadian Jews to Canada; and Major East European migrations of the early twentieth century.
Once a full range of undergraduate programming is developed, the course offerings at the undergraduate level will be the equivalent to a Minor in Jewish Canadian Studies.
