TORONTO, May 15, 2002 -- York University President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Alex Pomson to the Koschitzky Family Chair in Jewish Teacher Education. He is the first person to hold the prestigious chair.
Pomson will give an inaugural address on the future of Jewish education, For Jewish Education I Raised Sons and Daughters?, on Wednesday, May 29, 7:30 p.m., in York University's new Computer Science Building, Lecture Hall "A", 4700 Keele Street.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Michael Rosenak, Pomson's mentor and former professor, will also deliver an address, Facing the Guard at the Gate of Education: Who May Enter?
"We are grateful to the Israel Koschitzky Family Charitable Foundation for endowing this Chair and supporting our efforts to meet the growing demand for teachers of Hebrew and Jewish Studies across Canada," said Marsden. "Prof. Pomson exemplifies York's reputation for world-class scholarship and research in this field."
There are an estimated 25,000 students enrolled in Jewish Day Schools across the country -- including more than 10,000 students in Toronto. Pomson, who has co-ordinated York’s Jewish Teacher Education Program since 1997, says education plays an important role in Jewish tradition and culture. "York’s unique program prepares teachers to gain a background in Jewish languages and traditions, but also allows them to keep up-to-date with the new and changing Ontario curriculum. This Chair will enhance York’s presence in the Jewish community and beyond."
Previous to teaching at York, Pomson was vice-principal and head of Jewish Studies at King Solomon High School in London, England. He's a graduate of Cambridge University and holds a PhD in religious education from the University of London.
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For further information, please contact:
| Prof. Alex Pomson | Prof. Martin Lockshin | Ken Turriff |
| Chair, Jewish Teacher Education | Director, Centre for Jewish Studies | Media Relations |
| York University | York University | York University |
| 416-736-2100, ext. 88762 | 416-736-5823 | 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 |
| apomson@edu.yorku.ca | lockshin@yorku.ca | kturriff@yorku.ca |
YU/049/02
