Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) will be a guest speaker at Eastern Michigan University’s kick-off for its new minor in Jewish Studies at 3:15 p.m. this Thursday in the Student Center Ballroom.
Jewish Studies Program Director and Professor of English Martin Shichtman said in a statement that he is “delighted” Levin will be speaking.
“The Jewish community has contributed some truly extraordinary participants to
Michigan life, such as Sen. Levin,” Shichtman said.
Levin is known as a strong advocate for education, health care, the environment and
ethics. He was also recognized by Time Magazine as one of America’s 10 Best Senators.
Levin, a Detroit native, graduated from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and received his law degree from Harvard University. He served as assistant attorney general and general counsel for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission from 1964-1968, and was then elected to the Detroit City Council in 1969.
Levin has served in the U.S. Senate since 1978, and currently is chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
In a press release, Shichtman said EMU is a school that celebrates diversity and that the Jewish community of southeastern Michigan has been a vital and significant piece of the state’s culture, economy and intellectual life.
The program will celebrate and be a voice for Jewish culture in southeast Michigan, Shichtman said. Classes currently offered delve into the Jewish faith and culture.
Professors with expertise in literature, political science, history, religion, philosophy, art, world languages and theatre teach the courses. The program began online in fall 2011.
