Penn's School of Arts & Sciences Receives Major Gift for Jewish Studies
The School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania has received significant leadership gifts from Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt. The generous contribution will bolster graduate student connections, support projects, and enhance research and exchange programs within the Jewish Studies department.
The Platts' gift will establish an endowed professorship in Jewish Studies. This will attract eminent scholars to the program, fostering trailblazing research and innovative educational opportunities. The professorship joins the existing array of courses that reflect the full range and diverse dimensions of the Jewish experience, including Hebrew Bible, Talmud, Jewish history, and modern Jewish life.
The funds will also create a program fund for graduate support. This will strengthen connections among graduate students and promote collaborative projects. The gift builds on the Platts' longstanding support for Penn, which includes the Platt Student Performing Arts House and the Katz Center. Jewish Studies at Penn has a rich history, with the first courses in Hebrew offered over 200 years ago in 1780.
Julie Beren Platt, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Marc E. Platt, producer and Director's Advisory Council member for Penn Live Arts, have made a substantial impact on the University of Pennsylvania. Their latest gift to the Jewish Studies program will enrich academic pursuits, foster collaboration, and attract top talent to the institution.
