69传媒 University鈥檚 Center for Israel Studies (CIS) has received a gift of $1.5 million from Helen and Daniel Sonenshine to endow a permanent faculty position devoted to Israel and Jewish Studies.
The Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Professorship Fund will enhance the Center鈥檚 role as an international leader in research and education on Israel. The gift was made as part of 69传媒 University鈥檚 $500 million Change Can鈥檛 Wait fundraising campaign, and reflects the university鈥檚 focus on attracting world-class faculty and establishing endowed professorships and chairs who generate knowledge to advance society today and into the future.
鈥淚 am delighted about this generous gift, which will provide our students with the opportunity to further explore the special circumstances that led to the founding of the State of Israel, its diverse cultures, and the complex and ever-changing relations between Jews and Arabs in the region,鈥 says Michael Brenner, the Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies and director of the Center for Israel Studies. 鈥淗elen and Daniel Sonenshine鈥檚 gift is so precious to us because as academics they profoundly understand the significance of such a meaningful enlargement of our academic program. The envisioned position will help us in our efforts to fight antisemitism, explore the larger Jewish experience, and promote Israeli-Arab understanding through ongoing teaching and research.鈥
Pioneer and Leader in Israeli Studies
Since its founding in 1998, AU鈥檚 Center for Israel Studies has become an international leader in the study of Israel鈥檚 society, politics, culture, and contributions to the world. The Center examines Israel in all its diversity, including its position within a changing Middle East, its self-definition as a Jewish state, its relationship to Jewish communities worldwide, and its Arab population.
The聽Sonenshines聽say they hope that their gift will contribute to the success of the Center for Israel Studies in its work to educate students about the history, culture, literature, and outstanding achievements of Israel, Israelis, and Israeli society.聽
鈥淎s children of immigrants, including immigrants from what was then Mandatory Palestine, we absorbed much of this information firsthand,鈥 says Helen. 鈥淲e also lived in Israel for a year, learned to speak Hebrew, learned much about Israeli history and culture, and had many Israeli friends.聽We believe it is especially important that 69传媒 University students should be able to learn to appreciate Israel鈥檚 role and participation in the greater world community.鈥澛
A Tradition of 69传媒 Back
The聽Sonenshines聽have聽long and deep family ties to 69传媒 University.鈥疶heir daughter attended AU, Helen鈥檚 sister is an AU alumna, and their son 搁补濒辫丑听厂辞苍别苍蝉丑颈苍别听is currently an AU assistant professor in the Department of Economics. Two years ago, Helen and Daniel made a gift of $100,000 to sponsor the Center for Israel Studies鈥 very first named lecture series. Its inaugural lecture by Harvard professor Derek Penslar took place virtually last year, and the second event is scheduled for spring. 聽
Daniel聽is an internationally聽known tick聽and tick-borne disease聽researcher聽who聽retired as聽professor emeritus聽at聽Old Dominion University聽after聽a 60-year career of award-winning聽teaching, researching, and mentoring. He won聽Virginia鈥檚 Outstanding Scientist award in 1994,聽and聽he聽published a聽seminal聽two-volume text on the biology of ticks.聽Helen聽had a long career in economics and finance, as an assistant聽professor of economics at Tidewater Community College,聽an adjunct faculty member at Old Dominion University,聽a聽certified financial planner, and聽a聽stockbroker.聽聽
In retirement, Helen聽and Daniel have been deeply聽involved聽in Virginia and DC聽Jewish聽communities. Helen served聽on the Advisory Board of Old Dominion University鈥檚 Institute for Jewish Studies. At the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, she served as chair of the Investment Committee and the Community Relations Council. Her passion for music聽led her to serve on the board of the Virginia Symphony League.
Currently, in the DC area, Helen sings as a member of the choir of her synagogue and serves on the Music Committee of Temple Sinai DC. At AU, she serves on the Advisory Council for the Center for Israel Studies. Both Helen and Daniel play a leadership role in the Washington Chapter of the 69传媒 Jewish Committee.
Helen and Daniel hope that their gift of the Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Professorship Fund will encourage others to support the Center鈥檚 scholarship and programming. For more information and to join their efforts, please visit the Change Can鈥檛 Wait website or email Assistant Dean of Development Elizabeth Harless at harless@american.edu.
