Spring Break
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Contest for professorship was biased in favor of the status quo
Letters to the Editor | 2/5/08
Posted online at 2:02 AM EST on 2/5/08
I want to protest the contest ("Bronfman sponsors contest for visiting professorship," Oct. 16 issue) and how it was conducted. It was presented as a search for a new idea that could be used to innovate Jewish communal relations. This wasn't defined further. Most of us interpreted it to mean a new idea that bears on the successful integration of the Jewish people into the world, not assimilation, which is the loss of character in merging with outside groups.
What the selected candidates represent is a form of assimilation in one guise or another. One wishes to merge Israelis and other nations' Jews into a network, in my mind, assimilating outward, not seeking any underlying connection, only superficial ones. Another wishes to go back to a reform prayer book of the l840s; another wants to open up the religion to increased conversions.
I see this contest, whose winners are already well-known and views well-known and established, being given immense amounts of support as a form of feather nesting. The great divide between those known already and the multitude ignored and rejected makes the contest appear fixed. No mention of the committee members was made. It's like an old boys' network decision-making process. It doesn't pass the test of authenticity.
Then a form letter was sent out exaggerating the immensity of the decision-making process, when the winners are obvious. No personal warmth or appreciation is shown, only hollow words, which represent a slap in the faces of those whose very souls, blood, sweat and tears are in the fabric of the proposals made. It appears heartless, like a door being slammed in one's face. It has been a very bad experience and one I wish I had never been connected with. If this is communal leadership, I'll take the Diaspora any day.
-Ian Zwerling
Kibbutz Messilot, Israel
What the selected candidates represent is a form of assimilation in one guise or another. One wishes to merge Israelis and other nations' Jews into a network, in my mind, assimilating outward, not seeking any underlying connection, only superficial ones. Another wishes to go back to a reform prayer book of the l840s; another wants to open up the religion to increased conversions.
I see this contest, whose winners are already well-known and views well-known and established, being given immense amounts of support as a form of feather nesting. The great divide between those known already and the multitude ignored and rejected makes the contest appear fixed. No mention of the committee members was made. It's like an old boys' network decision-making process. It doesn't pass the test of authenticity.
Then a form letter was sent out exaggerating the immensity of the decision-making process, when the winners are obvious. No personal warmth or appreciation is shown, only hollow words, which represent a slap in the faces of those whose very souls, blood, sweat and tears are in the fabric of the proposals made. It appears heartless, like a door being slammed in one's face. It has been a very bad experience and one I wish I had never been connected with. If this is communal leadership, I'll take the Diaspora any day.
-Ian Zwerling
Kibbutz Messilot, Israel
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/05/08 @ 8:38 AM EST
Let me be the first to post to get it over with. Sour grapes by a disappointed loser. This isnt the case however. Im just disappointed over how the contest was conducted. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/05/08 @ 11:59 AM EST
What I want is for the committee that decided the contest finalists to sign on that this idea was submitted by myself and reviewed by the undersigned members of the committee. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/06/08 @ 9:50 AM EST
Just as Moses delivered the basis of the ethical system of Judaism during our forefathers journey to the promised land, a contest of this magnitude is a template to create a momentum to reevaluate, reassess and reestablish our system of values. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/06/08 @ 9:13 PM EST
My correspondence and replies about my concern over intellectual property rights with Dr. Sarna, chair of the contest committee.
: Re: further request
Dear Mr. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/06/08 @ 9:43 PM EST
.
Subject: Re: one last question
Dear Mr. Zwerling,
Submissions for the Bronfman Chair will be handled according to the established record-keeping policies of Brandeis University. (Continued…)
Alan Royals
posted 2/07/08 @ 10:26 AM EST
Publishing private emails? I'm amused to see professors (employed by Brandeis or not) have taken the traditions of the Brandeis Student Union Government. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/07/08 @ 5:36 PM EST
Thank you for having the courage to comment. As to posting e-mails, I dont consider them any more private than my submitted proposal, so it may give an impression of how I feel about losing control of a project. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/09/08 @ 9:05 AM EST
This being my sole forum I am taking advantage of this opportunity.
The job search disguised as a contest of a big idea exemplifies the corporate nature of society today. (Continued…)
Ian Zwerling
posted 2/10/08 @ 12:48 PM EST
Sure that Im not a semi-finalist, I must add that I dont think this contest reflects the dire condition the Jewish community finds itself in. To be looking inward when the threat against the Jewish people grows daily is naive to say the least. (Continued…)
Dana Robinson
posted 8/02/08 @ 12:06 PM EST
Why not return the work Ian Zwerling submitted? He obviously put alot of himself into the work and feels strongly that he should have the submission returned. (Continued…)
Post a Comment