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Jewish studies is university’s core
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Dr. Barry Gittlen is acting president of Baltimore Hebrew University.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Barry M. Gittlen was named acting president of Baltimore Hebrew University in June after the resignation of former President Rela Mintz Geffen. A 35-year member of the faculty, Gittlen started at Baltimore Hebrew University as an assistant professor of biblical and archaeological studies in 1972 and eventually was promoted to associate and then full professor. He has served as director of the Joseph Meyerhoff Library, as graduate dean and as dean for academic affairs.
Gittlen received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Monteith College at Wayne State University in Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Oriental Studies.
Q Why should students pursue Jewish studies?
A The advantage is to understand the Jewish world, what makes Jews, and why and how we do what we do. If done properly, it eradicates stereotypes and builds a true picture. That goes not just for Jewish studies but for studying any ethnic group or religion. It behooves us to really understand the foundations of who we are and how we got here — and the mistakes we made along the way to hopefully avoid those mistakes [in the future]. It’s always essential to know who are you and where you come from.
Q BHU’s population is a majority of graduate students. What master’s degrees do you offer?
A We offer a master’s in Jewish studies, Jewish communal service, Jewish education, and we offer a Ph.D. in Jewish studies. We have joint programs with other institutions with several degrees. We have arrangements with the University of Maryland Baltimore County, the Johns Hopkins University, Goucher College and Loyola College in which they offer master’s degrees. We produce a student who has a fixed expertise.
Q Do you plan to keep undergraduate students at BHU?
A We still provide a kind of completer degree for people who come to us, for instance, with an associate’s degree. We offer a bachelor’s degree in Jewish studies.
Q What field does the majority of your graduates go into?
A Essentially, it’s the broad field of Jewish studies. Then it
depends on what students want to do with that — whether they
want to serve the community in a kind of business profile, or if they want to do it as an educator in primary or secondary schools, or if they want to go strictly into
academics.
Q BHU’s most recent president, Rela Mintz Geffen, stepped down this summer. What kind of president do you want to succeed her?
A We decided that it was in our best interest to find a president who can do major fundraising, and that’s what we are looking for.
Q How will the decision of BHU’s major donor, The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, to cut funding affect the university?
A They are cutting their funding over a period of five years, and that gives us time to find the kind of major donors that we need not only to cover what The Associated will not be giving us, but to go beyond that, so that in the very near future we will be able to find a better facility or build a facility and grow the student body.
Q The Associated will take over the university’s current location by 2010. As you look for a new location, do you plan to stay in Baltimore?
A We don’t know. We are considering a variety of options, and it depends on where we think our best interests lie. We want to stay in Baltimore. We’ve been in Baltimore for almost 90 years, and we feel a connection to Baltimore and to the Baltimore community. We would love to stay.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
» Dr. Eyal Bor, education director, Beth El Congregation Baltimore
» Jon Cardin, Maryland House of Delegates, 11th District; criminal defense lawyer
» Jerry Kiewe, program director, JCC of Greater Baltimore; educational director, Columbia Jewish Community School
» Dennis M. Kirschbaum, associate vice president for administration, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Washington
» Nancy Kutler, vice president, The Center for Funds and Foundations, The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore
» Louis A. Nagel, education director, Congregation Beth El, Bethesda
» Peggy Pearlstein, area specialist, Hebraic Section, Library of Congress, Washington
» Leslie Pomerantz, executive director, Jewish Volunteer Connection
FAST FACTS
» Founded: 1919
» Enrollment (fall 2006): 34 undergraduate, 82 graduate
» Undergraduate tuition, fees: $1,400 per 3-credit course
» Graduate tuition, fees: $1,725 per 3-credit course
» Joint education: BHU offers programs with Goucher College and Villa Julie College
» The Me’ah program: BHU’s 100-hour lifelong learning program is popular with adult learners
» BHU’s Joseph Meyerhoff Library is the largest independent Judaica library in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions
Source: Baltimore Hebrew University, Maryland Higher Education Commission
mmcilroy@baltimoreexaminer.com
The Examiner is taking an extensive look at Maryland colleges and university. Click here to read the entire series.
Comments from Examiner Readers
8:44 AM MST on Fri., May. 23, 2008 re: "For many women, this school is a perfect fit"
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re: "Promises aside, read the contract"
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Examiner Reader said:
The institution is a fraud. They treat employees unfairly and they have forgotten the roots of the institution- the undergraduate women and the communal attitude. The school has become driven by profit and has turn into an old boys club. Higher-ups chum it up with each other while "lesser" staff are walked all over. The students enjoy their time, but with limited resources and budget- the school is having a hard time providing for their campus members.
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Examiner Reader said:
my question is at the end of your statement you said that you don't want the most quilfied nurse to take care of you. why that just don't make sense. I just retired from the military and am looking to become a nurse and if I was some old person laying bed I would like to know that there was someone that was well quilified to take care of me. thank you for your time in reading this note
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the MD degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete, compared to 18-24 months for the MD. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete MD programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.I like it that way. And I promise not to delete anyone else's comment ever again
177 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the MD degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete, compared to 18-24 months for the MD. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete MD programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.I like it that way. And I promise not to delete anyone else's comment ever again
185 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the RN Associates degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete. Compared to 18-24 months for BSN. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.
177 agree | 183 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If the military truly wanted to have potential recruits understand the enlistment contract it would simply reduce the entire bogus contract to the following infamous 40 words from Section C, Paragraph 9: "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces regardless of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document." - Pat Elder
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Don said:
I tried to join up they told me I was too old. I'm 64 I think I'll file papers for age discrimination.
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Examiner Reader said:
Any plans in the works to overthrow the Vatican again or is that something you can't talk about?
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Diversity? said:
What diversity? The article talks only about blacks.
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Examiner Reader said:
Great article...My 2 kids went there and it was the best 8 yrs anyone could ask for. Both have since gone on to great jobs and both value their days at SMCM.
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Examiner Reader said:
Glad to see you acknowledge McDaniel College. I am a grad ( Class of "61 ) and a Trustee--and very proud to be both. George Varga
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Examiner Reader said:
Over the last 20 years or more "Baltimore City School System," has been under the microscope of Judge Garbish (Special Education). Morgan, Johns Hopkin, Coppin, all have had opportunities as research institutions to address this major educational problem and the poverty rate, un-employment, single mothers crime. Coppin has had its misfortunes, and attracted low quality of instructors whom are not concerned with the social economical, educational, problems that plague the Urban Inner City youth. Poverty is a key element in Baltimore City. Politicians does not give a hoot of the demographics nor the incidents of poverty across the city. The fourth count census 2000 is a clear in measuring how people live. African Americans are left out of the loop "Johns Hopkins are the main architect to disenfranchise the poor, disadvantaged. They are the major research institution in Maryland from all indications the African American community is ignored by the major players.
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Examiner Reader said:
Coppin State should be proud that it focuses on academics and not sports. Who cares if the baseball team lost 44 games in a year. The students who earn a degree will have more power than any hitter on a baseball diamond.
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Examiner Reader said:
Excellent and informative series that parents and students can use to decide on a Maryland college or university. Thanks!
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