Liebman feted for leadership of PSU Judaic studies
By Paul Haist
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More than 200 people turned out the night of Dec. 7 to honor a Portland State University professor for his key role in the creation of a Judaic Studies program at Oregon's largest university.
The light dinner banquet took place in Hoffman Hall on the PSU campus.
Dr. Robert Liebman was toasted repeatedly, and slightly roasted as well, for what a colleague of his from the University of Oregon characterized as almost a second full-time job.
Dr. Judith Baskin, who heads the Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at UO, said, "He has done most of what he has done as overload," meaning in addition to his responsibilities as a professor of sociology. "For him to take this on year after year is truly an act of love."
What is now known as the Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at PSU was made possible by Portland's Schnitzer family after the same family made the Eugene program possible.
"Bob and I have worked together as colleagues. There has only been harmony between us," she said. "I think the Schnitzers saw our two programs as collaborative."
Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Executive Vice President Charles R. Schiffman described Liebman as "a visionary," as well as "an activist," who "gets out of the ivory tower and leads people into the world."
Schiffman called Liebman "a mensch" and asked God's blessing on him.
Garry Kahn, who, with his wife Judith, has long been a force for the creation of a Judaic Studies program here, said Liebman "has the ability to put into effect what is in his mind. His efforts have benefited the entire community."
Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, who, in addition to his long career as a distinguished spiritual leader and independent scholar here, has served over several decades as an adjunct professor at PSU, said "Bob is the one person primarily responsible for the existence of a Judaic Studies program at PSU."
He added that the Schnitzer family, whose $1 million matching grant finally launched the program, "made clear to us that there had to be strong faculty support" for Judaic Studies.
"Bob provided that strong faculty support," said the rabbi, citing Liebman's "deep determination and profound belief."
Liebman's daughter Sarah spoke for herself and her brother Michael who was out of town.
"I'm no Yiddish expert," she said, but can children have nachus?" using the Yiddish word for pleasure that usually refers to that experienced by a proud parent.
She called her father "an outstanding teacher and mentor" and a gifted leader.
Marvin Kaiser, dean of PSU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Liebman's boss, read a letter from Harold Schnitzer who was unable to attend the program.
Schnitzer called Liebman "the catalyst for the establishment of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at PSU."
Schnitzer also wrote of Liebman, "I have great admiration for him as an educator and as a member of our community. Personally, I have the highest regard for Bob as a friend and as a leader in Jewish education at higher levels."
For his own part, Kaiser praised his colleague as "the most persistent guy I've ever worked with."
During his remarks Kaiser also singled out others who made indispensable contributions to the ultimate creation of PSU's Judaic Studies program. They included the late Libby Solomon and the late Sara Cogan, with her husband Nathan, a retired PSU faculty member who pioneered Judaic Studies on the campus.
The dean concluded his remarks by introducing Dr. Michael Weingrad, PSU's first full-time Judaic Studies professor who was installed that evening as the program's academic administrator, a post in which he succeeds Liebman.
Commenting on UO's hiring of Judith Baskin before the PSU program was created, Kaiser said they asked themselves, "How are we going to match Judith," who came to Oregon with sterling academic credentials.
"But I am happy to say?, said Kaiser, "we were able to attract Michael Weingrad, and he has certainly made a name for himself on this campus and community."
Weingrad summarized where PSU's Judaic Studies program is now and where he said it will be within four years.
Referring to Liebman, he called the scenario he painted "the legacy of Bob's vision."
Four years from now, said Weingrad, the program will host four professorships in Jewish studies. They will include Jewish literature, which Weingrad teaches, modern Jewish history, classical and rabbinical Jewish history, and Israel studies.
He said the university's Hebrew program would be strengthened further. PSU already offers three full years of Hebrew study and a summer program.
"In short," said Weingrad, we will have a full department in Judaic Studies, well rounded with a focus on modern Jewish history.
Before the evening's honoree spoke, time was taken to call on those present to support Judaic Studies at PSU.
When Dean Kaiser spoke earlier, he announced that the second full-time professorship in Judaic Studies at PSU will be named in honor of Rabbi Stampfer, in recognition of his long service to the university in the area of Jewish studies.
PSU Judaic Studies Community Outreach Director Aaron Pearlman, who was the evening's master of ceremonies, called on those present to pledge funds toward the creation of that professorship. Those funds would be matched, he said, from the existing Schnitzer family challenge grant.
More than $70,000 was pledged, including one pledge by a local couple for $18,000. A few additional pledges still were outstanding.
After the fund-raising break, Liebman approached the lectern.
He told those who came to honor him, "It takes a community, a shtetl, to make a Judaic Studies program."
Responding to Harold Schnitzer's description of him as "the catalyst" for the Judaic Studies program, he said—continuing the metaphor, "If I am a catalyst, I am pleased to see the chemistry."
He offered "many thanks" to all who helped make the program a reality. He singled out Garry and Judith Kahn, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland President Bob Philip, Harold and Jordan Schnitzer, Kandice Nunn and Rabbi Stampfer.
He also expressed special gratitude to his wife Elaine Friedman.
Like others, Liebman also paid tribute to the memory of Peter Nathan, Libby Solomon and Sara Cogan for their contributions to the program.
He spoke proudly of the more than 20 Judaic Studies courses offered at PSU now with an annual enrollment of more than 300 students.
He said the program "illustrates PSU's diversity in all its dimensions."
In conclusion, he observed, "I am a remedial Jew, but I am also a Jew who understands the imperative of a lifetime of learning."
He added, "There is much more to do."