News

The Harold Schnitzer Family Judaic Studies Program at Portland State University has named Priscilla B. Kostiner as its community outreach director.

As the community outreach director, Priscilla B. Kostiner will be responsible for developing and expanding the newly established Judaic Studies program by creating partnerships with educational, cultural and religious organizations within the Portland metropolitan region. In addition, Kostiner will support the efforts of the Judaic Studies Advisory Board as well as the Campaign Steering Committee chaired by Garry and Judith Kahn.

The Judaic Studies Program (www.judaic.pdx.edu), established in 2002, focuses on the encounter of Jews and Judaism within the modern world and provides an understanding of Judaism and Jewish history as part of Western and world history. The core principles of this program include interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship, a flexible curriculum, and a commitment to partnerships with educational institutions. The program offers courses on Judaism, Jewish history, Jewish literature and Jewish identities in the United States, Europe, and Israel, to name a few. Beyond enrolled students, the program serves hundreds in the community who attend lectures, workshops, and non-credit courses on subjects from Israel to Jewish ceremonial objects.

Kostiner has held various positions of leadership locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and has coordinated and administered programs, activities and fund raising events involving hundreds of volunteers and participants. Most recently she has served as national/international chair of Partnership 2000 for the United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Agency for Israel; and held numerous positions within the Jewish Federation of Portland including president, chair of planning and allocations, general campaign chair and president of the women's division.

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