The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) presented Jehuda Reinharz, renowned Jewish historian, as well as CEO and president of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, with a prestigious honorary doctorate degree during the 85th Board of Governors meeting in Jerusalem.
Reinharz is considered one of the leading figures in the study of modern Jewish history. In addition to his role as head of the Mandel Foundation, he is the Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History at Brandeis University. From 1994-2010, he served as president of Brandeis University, transforming the university through an extraordinary campus-wide expansion creating many new faculty positions and centers with funds raised during an unprecedented $1.2 billion campaign.
At the ceremony, HU President Asher Cohen conferred upon Prof. Reinharz the degree of Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa, “in recognition of his landmark achievements in academia and the study of modern Jewish history; in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions as president of Brandeis University, which he transformed through an extraordinary campus-wide expansion and unprecedented fundraising; for his role as the president and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation; and in deepest gratitude for his close ties with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and his critical role in the establishment and continuous support of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Humanities.”
Accepting the accolade, Reinharz said, “The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been part of my life since 1969 when I first came to Jerusalem to consult with the renowned scholars of the Institute of Contemporary Jewry on the topic of my dissertation. Since then, I had the privilege of teaching an MA course at the university during 1987-1988. In my biography of Chaim Weizmann, I have devoted a couple of chapters to the planning and founding of the university. I am honored by the award of the honorary doctorate and pleased that the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation is continuing its long-term support of the university.
In 1982, he became the Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History in the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. In 1984, he was named Director of the Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry at Brandeis, and in 1990, he founded the Jacob and Libby Goodman Institute for the Study of Zionism and Israel. From 1991 to 1994, Reinharz served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Following his tenure at Brandeis, he became the first individual named foundation President and, more recently, Chief Executive Officer of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in 2010.
Reinharz’s is the author and co-author of 31 books including a three-volume biography of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann.
A recipient of the President of Israel Prize and honorary doctorates, Reinharz has been widely recognized for his leadership roles as well as his work in philanthropy. He played a critical role in the establishment of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School for Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Humanities and is an invaluable partner in the creation of the renowned building which houses the Institute on Mount Scopus.
Reinharz earned his doctorate in modern Jewish history from Brandeis University in 1972 and his master’s degree in medieval Jewish history from Harvard University in 1968. He earned concurrent bachelor’s degrees from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s leading academic and research institution. Serving 24,000 students from 80 countries, it produces a third of Israel’s civilian research and is ranked 12th worldwide in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, visit: http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
