Hebrew College honors Reinharz, Troen

Brandeis faculty praised for their contributions to Jewish education

Hebrew College President Daniel Lehmann, right, presents an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Brandeis President Emeritus Jehuda Reinharz, center. Ilan Troen, left, Brandeis' Stoll Family Chair in Israel Studies, was honored for his achievements in Jewish educational leadership.

Brandeis President Emeritus Jehuda Reinharz and Ilan Troen, the Stoll Family Chair in Israel Studies, were honored last weekend at Hebrew College's 87th annual commencement exercises in Newton Centre.

Reinharz, now president of the Mandel Foundation, was one of three individuals to receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the college. The others were Anne Lapidus Lerner, professor emerita of Jewish literature at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, and Bernard Korman, chairman of the board of Omega Healthcare Investors.

Hebrew College President Daniel Lehmann, who presided over the ceremony, praised Reinharz for his vision of excellence in higher education in general, and Jewish higher education in particular.

"Jehuda's prestigious scholarship in modern Jewish history and his rare leadership qualities are most worthy of recognition by Hebrew College," Lehmann said

Troen, a graduate of Hebrew College's Prozdor Hebrew high school who earned bachelor’s degrees from both Hebrew College and Brandeis, was presented with the Dr. Benjamin J. Shevach Memorial Award for distinguished achievement in Jewish educational leadership. He also presented Reinharz with his official hood during the honorary-degree portion of the program.

Lehmann said Troen, who also serves as director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, "embodies the ideals of Hebrew College in his academic leadership in Israel studies and his deep commitment to Jewish education."

Hebrew College granted ordination, master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees and certificates to 51 students at the ceremony.