News Archive

New Rochelle, NY, March 1, 2001 - Dr. Elena Procario-Foley, assistant professor of Religious Studies at Iona College and the first Brother John G. Driscoll Professor in Jewish-Catholic Studies at the College is pleased to announce the spring 2001 schedule of events for the Driscoll Professorship. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.

On Wednesday, March 28 at 8 pm in Spellman Lounge on the College's New Rochelle campus at 715 North Avenue, a program, "Shared Roots: Telling Our Stories, Living Our Symbols - Passover and Easter," continues the Driscoll Professorship's partnership with the American Jewish Committee of Westchester. This evening of study considers the rich symbolic and liturgical heritage of the sacred days of Passover and Easter and reflects on their contemporary meanings.

Two prominent scholars, Reverend John F. Baldwin, S.J., PhD of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA and Dr. Ellen Umansky, a Westchester resident and the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor of Judaic Studies and Program Director of Judaic Studies at Fairfield University, will be the featured speakers.

On Tuesday, April 3 at 6 pm in Spellman Lounge, the Driscoll Professorship in Jewish-Catholic Studies, the Center for Campus Ministries and the New Rochelle Coalition for Mutual Respect will co-sponsor an Interfaith Seder, bringing together people from many faiths and communities to learn about, and to celebrate the traditions of Passover through the sharing of a traditional Seder meal. A limited number of sponsored spaces are available; once filled, tickets will be available at $20 each. Please call Dr. Elena Procario-Foley at (914) 637-2744 or Campus Ministries at (914) 633-2772 to make a reservation.

Spring events conclude on Thursday, April 19 at 12 noon in Joyce Auditorium with the Yom Ha'Shoah Commemoration. On this anniversary of the final liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the Peace and Justice Studies Program together with The Brother Driscoll Professorship invite the Iona and greater community to mark this solemn international day of memory and reflection on the Holocaust.

Mr. William Donat, editor of the recently re-released Holocaust Kingdom, and a childhood survivor separated from his parents and hidden during the Holocaust, will describe his experiences and challenge us to confront the depths of depravity, the heights of courage and the hope of the human spirit.

The Brother John G. Driscoll Professorship in Jewish-Catholic Studies, Iona's first endowed professorship, was established with a $1,000,000 gift from Jack '86H and Susan Rudin in honor of President Emeritus Brother John G. Driscoll's 50 years as a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. It was created to study and celebrate the relationship between the Jewish and Catholic cultures and beliefs.

For additional information on the Spring Series, please contact Dr. Elena Procario-Foley, at (914) 637-2744.

For questions or more information please contact:
Meghan Finn
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
tel: 914 633-2005 fax: 914 637-2711

Back to Top