JOB: Rosenblum is the Director of Jewish Studies at Queens College and the head of the school’s Michael Harrington Center, an applied research center studying and combating issues of poverty, discrimination, and conflict resolution. Michael Harrington was a famous social activist and author. The center invites Arabs and Israelis for off record discussion and dialogue. It attempts to facilitate compassion and discussion amongst Christian, Jewish, and Muslim students - to have them walk in the others’ shoes.
FAMILY FACTS: Married for 30 years to Wendy, a teacher of special education in the city’s public schools. They have two children: Erica, who holds a doctorate in genetic evolutionary biology, and Jordan, a graphic designer and artist.
CAREER GOALS: “To bring Jewish and non-Jewish students into the Jewish studies program and to foster a dialogue between Jewish and Muslim people.”
PROUDEST MEMORY: “In the ‘America in the Middle East: Clash of Civilization or Meeting of the Minds,’ a Jewish student and a Muslim student were playing opposing sides. The Jewish student was portraying a Palestinian and the Muslim student portraying an Israeli. They both experienced a breakthrough that profoundly altered their perception and understanding of each other. “
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “To bring Jewish and Muslim students to engage in authentic and respectful dialogue and to stimulate the diverse population of Queens College representing over 100 languages to interact with one another.”
INSPIRATION: Yehoshafat Harkabi - a legendary scholar and security expert in Israel. He spent his life fighting for Israeli security as well as peace with Palestinians. “This great man imbued me with the idea that Israelis must secure and protect themselves as well as fight for peace,” Rosenblum said. He also cited the famous collector of Islamic Art and graduate of Queens College, Nasser David Khali, as an inspiration. Khali, a Jewish-Iranian, was committed to the Jewish people but still able to reach out to leaders in the Islamic and Muslim world. “His pride in his own ethnic and religious group served as a bridge to others,” Rosenblum said.
Simona Bost
