Shapiro Chair
Dr. Christina Smerick (Ph. D., DePaul University) has been named the new Shapiro Chair of Jewish-Christian Studies at Greenville College after serving as Assistant Professor of Philosophy for the last few years at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Her areas of specialty include Philosophy of Religion and Jewish thought, and her dissertation (completed in 2003) focused upon the interwining of Jewish theology and philosophy in the works of a 20th century German-Jewish thinker, Walter Benjamin.

"I believe that understanding the origins of one's religious faith is crucial to the deepening and strengthening of that faith. Studying and coming to develop an appreciation of Jewish history and thought serves both to develop our students' faith, and to build bridges between Christian and Jewish religious communities. This bridge-building has political and social as well as religious consequences, and seems essential in our world today."

Dr. Smerick's hopes for the program include a renewed focus upon the Holocaust, as that event presents the biggest challenge in terms of understanding the contemporary problems of evil and hate. Speakers will be brought to campus to assist the community in critically reflecting on these issues through their own stories as this unique program is developed into a model for other Protestant colleges and universities.

Funding initiative
The Shapiro Foundation of Chicago has generously responded to our vision, contributing funds that will have helped endow the Chair of Jewish-Christian Studies at Greenville College. Incorporated by the Shapiro family of Chicago, it is an independent foundation interested in funding higher education, human services, and Jewish programs and organizations. A secondary interest is Jewish education.

The Shapiro Foundation has also promised to match funds raised by the college, up to $250,000, to permanently endow this position. Current project efforts focus on securing the $250,000 needed to match the Shapiro grant. To date, Greenville College has received over $180,000 toward this goal.

How can you help? By making a donation to the Jewish-Christian Studies Program at Greenville College, you can aid our efforts to continue our tradition of providing learning experiences that enlarge our students’ perspectives on their world. We believe that when students deepen their appreciation for people who hold different viewpoints and practices, they will expand in their intellect as well as their faith.

To make a gift to the Chair for Jewish-Christian Studies at Greenville College, contact Pamela Taylor, Director of Foundation Relations, at 1-618-664-6507 or visit our website at www.greenville.edu/giving.