New Judaic studies program at PSU

Jordan Schnitzer, in an announcement last week, said that the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation will contribute $1 million to PSU to aid in the creation of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies.

Community funding will need to back up the starting donation, and the initial donation should work to draw more money for the program.

In 1998 the Schnitzer family founded a similar program at the University of Oregon. This program was the first degree-level program of its kind in Oregon. Until the creation of the new program, Portland was the only major city on the West Coast without a Judaic studies program.

The PSU program will join the program at the UO in focusing on the experience of Jews in the modern world. Both programs will work to understand Jewish history and its relation to world history as a whole. The two programs will remain separate, but will work together along with other community members – including other colleges and universities – to create a comprehensive, state-wide program.

Jordan Schnitzer received the President’s Award for Outstanding Philanthropy at the 12th annual PSU Salutes ceremony last week. He has also received the UO Alumni Association Portland Chapter’s 1998 Outstanding Alumnus award at the chapter’s annual Alumni Spotlight Event in 1998.

Schnitzer is a life-long Portland resident and president of Harsch Investment Properties. Schnitzer is involved in the Citizens Crime Commission and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has been a supporter of PSU for 10 years.

The CARE Foundation has a history of philanthropic ventures, including donations to the Anne Frank In Portland exhibit and the PSU Native American Student and Community Center.