51³Ō¹Ļās 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 Centerās role as an international leader in research and education on Israel. The gift was made as part of 51³Ō¹Ļās $500 million Change Canāt Wait fundraising campaign, and reflects the universityās focus on attracting world-class faculty and establishing endowed professorships and chairs who generate knowledge to advance society today and into the future.
āI 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,ā says Michael Brenner, the Seymour and Lillian Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies and director of the Center for Israel Studies. āHelen and Daniel Sonenshineās 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.ā
Pioneer and Leader in Israeli Studies
Since its founding in 1998, 51³Ō¹Ļās Center for Israel Studies has become an international leader in the study of Israelās 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.
TheĀ SonenshinesĀ 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.Ā
āAs children of immigrants, including immigrants from what was then Mandatory Palestine, we absorbed much of this information firsthand,ā says Helen. āWe also lived in Israel for a year, learned to speak Hebrew, learned much about Israeli history and culture, and had many Israeli friends.Ā We believe it is especially important that 51³Ō¹Ļ students should be able to learn to appreciate Israelās role and participation in the greater world community.āĀ
A Tradition of Giving Back
TheĀ SonenshinesĀ haveĀ long and deep family ties to 51³Ō¹Ļ.āÆTheir daughter attended 51³Ō¹Ļ, Helenās sister is an 51³Ō¹Ļ alumna, and their son øé²¹±ō±č³óĢż³§“Ē²Ō±š²Ō²õ³ó¾±²Ō±šĢżis currently an 51³Ō¹Ļ 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 Studiesā 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. Ā
DanielĀ is an internationallyĀ known tickĀ and tick-borne diseaseĀ researcherĀ whoĀ retired asĀ professor emeritusĀ atĀ Old Dominion UniversityĀ afterĀ a 60-year career of award-winningĀ teaching, researching, and mentoring. He wonĀ Virginiaās Outstanding Scientist award in 1994,Ā andĀ heĀ published aĀ seminalĀ two-volume text on the biology of ticks.Ā HelenĀ had a long career in economics and finance, as an assistantĀ professor of economics at Tidewater Community College,Ā an adjunct faculty member at Old Dominion University,Ā aĀ certified financial planner, andĀ aĀ stockbroker.Ā Ā
In retirement, HelenĀ and Daniel have been deeplyĀ involvedĀ in Virginia and DCĀ JewishĀ communities. Helen servedĀ on the Advisory Board of Old Dominion Universityās 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 musicĀ 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 51³Ō¹Ļ, 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 American Jewish Committee.
Helen and Daniel hope that their gift of the Helen and Daniel Sonenshine Professorship Fund will encourage others to support the Centerās scholarship and programming. For more information and to join their efforts, please visit the Change Canāt Wait website or email Assistant Dean of Development Elizabeth Harless at harless@american.edu.
