Gallaudet University's new president is the first Jewish leader for the school in its 145-year history. The Sioux City, Iowa native Alan Hurwitz wasn't one of four finalists for the position. Not only were all of them deaf, all them had deaf parents and all four were Jewish. Hurwitz grew up in an Orthodox environment. Traditionally, the deaf are exempt from learning the Torah. But when Hurwitz became a father he decided his son would learn Hebrew and have a bar mitzvah. His son is now a lawyer in Rochester, New York. Hurwitz and his wife has been to Israel four times and they are members of a Reform congregation.
Friday, November 20, 2009
1st Jewish President
Gallaudet University's new president is the first Jewish leader for the school in its 145-year history. The Sioux City, Iowa native Alan Hurwitz wasn't one of four finalists for the position. Not only were all of them deaf, all them had deaf parents and all four were Jewish. Hurwitz grew up in an Orthodox environment. Traditionally, the deaf are exempt from learning the Torah. But when Hurwitz became a father he decided his son would learn Hebrew and have a bar mitzvah. His son is now a lawyer in Rochester, New York. Hurwitz and his wife has been to Israel four times and they are members of a Reform congregation.
