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During
spring 2000, Virginia Wesleyan's Center for the Study of Religions
Freedom and the Jewish communities of Hampton Roads hosted Yosef
Tobi, chair of the Department of Hebrew and Comparative Literature
at the University of Haifa in Israel.
A renowned Judaic scholar, Tobi taught two Jewish studies courses,
assisted with the development of a new Judaic Studies Program
and gave a presentation during the Center's Spring Symposium.
The latter talk, "The Status of Jews in Muslim and Christian
Nations," will be included in an upcoming monograph of the
Symposium presentations.
Through his public talks and personal interactions, the scholar
challenged the stereotypes and presuppositions of faculty, staff
and students about Orthodox Judaism and created bridges between
the campus and the local Jewish community. Tobi's wife, Tsivia,
also became involved in community activities by teaching at the
Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and giving a slide presentation at
the university.
Upon his return, Tobi will continue to play a role in the ongoing
development of the new Judaic Studies Program by helping the university
locate resources and advising faculty on curriculum and program
guidelines.
According to Rabbi Yosef Friedman of the Bnai Israel Congregation
of Norfolk, Tobi and his wife "effectively conveyed to the
greater community - both Jewish and Gentile - the richness of
our traditions, particularly those stemming from the Middle East
and North Africa."
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if you would like to submit your own story and/or photographs.
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