Plans for developing the Jewish Theological Seminary as a “Center of Human Brotherhood” which would involve expenditures totaling $32,600,000 for new buildings, improvements and expanded educational and scholarship facilities were announced here by Louis Finkelstein, chancellor of the Seminary. The plans are to be carried out within ten years.
Dr. Finkelstein presented the program to a special conference on endowment needs of the Seminary’s National Planning Committee which concluded its sessions today. This committee is comprised of 700 civic leaders who represent the Seminary, the United Synagogue, and the Rabbinical Assembly in the home communities.
The chancellor also announced that the Center of Human Brotherhood would include branches in Jerusalem and Los Angeles. In Jerusalem a Center of Ethical Studies and Residence Halls would be built for students and other visitors to Israel at a cost of $2,750,000. The University of Judaism in Los Angeles, in operation since 1948, would get a new building at a cost of $1,500,000.
The sum of $1,000,000, Dr. Finkelstein said, has been earmarked for setting up an endowed country place for scholarly conferences, national and international, to pursue common studies in the ethics of our time. Also envisioned in the plan is the establishment at the Seminary of a Jewish School of Social Work. This project would cost $2,500,000.
The plan also calls for the endowment of chairs in Biblical and Talmudic studies in religious education, philosophy, and mental health at a cost totaling $1,750,000. Endowment of ten research fellowships and 40 scholarships will account for $1,860,000. Other major aspects of the plan include endowments for: the Jewish Museum, $1,000,000; the Seminary library, $2,000,000; American Jewish History Center, $1,000,000; Institute for Religious and Social Studies, $1,500,000; University of Judaism, $2,000,000; Institute of Sacred Music, $750,000; and expansion funds for several departments.
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