The Program in Jewish Studies is pleased to announce some changes in our leadership that will take effect July 1, 2021. After ten years at Rice, Melissa Weininger, the Anna Smith Fine Senior Lecturer in Jewish Studies and formerly the associate program director, will leave Rice to assume a tenure track position at California State University, Northridge. Congratulations, Melissa! We are very proud of Melissa's many accomplishments while at Rice and wish her well in her new endeavors in California.
Also, on July 1, 2021, Joshua Furman, Curator of the Houston Jewish History Archive and adjunct lecturer in Jewish Studies, will become the Associate Director of our program. Josh, who has worked closely with so many of our students, will also become the new undergraduate student advisor. We are most grateful to Josh for taking on more leadership roles in the program and for helping the program flourish.
Finally, while Matthias Henze, program director of Jewish Studies, will be on Sabbatical during the academic year 2021-22, Daniel Cohen, the Samuel W. and Goldye Marian Spain Associate Professor of Jewish Studies, will be acting program director. Daniel will be an excellent director, who will bring lots of energy and new ideas to the program. Thank you, Daniel.