Brown University renames Judaic studies building ‘Hirschfeld House’ in honor of $3.5M gift

BROWN UNIVERSITY has named the Judaic Studies Building the “Hirschfeld House” in honor of Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld's $3.5 million gift to support the building. Elie Hirschfeld is a New York City-based real estate developer and philanthropist and a member of Brown's Class of 1971. / COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY
BROWN UNIVERSITY has named the Judaic Studies Building the “Hirschfeld House” in honor of Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld's $3.5 million gift to support the building. Elie Hirschfeld is a New York City-based real estate developer and philanthropist and a member of Brown's Class of 1971. / COURTESY BROWN UNIVERSITY

PROVIDENCE – Brown University announced Tuesday it has renamed its Judaic studies building in honor of a $3.5 million gift given by Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld to support the renovation and ongoing maintenance of the facility.

Now known as Hirschfeld House, the 108-year-old building is a focal point of Jewish life and learning on the urban campus and renovations will ensure the long-term sustainability of this research at Brown.

Owner of Hirschfeld Properties, a New York City-based real estate development company, Elie Hirschfeld, a member of the Class of 1971 graduating with a double major in math and economics and a minor in religious studies, said Judaic studies has been at the center of his relationship with Brown for almost half a century.

“It is my hope that our gift will allow many future classes of students to have the same deeply enriching experience that I did with Judaic studies at Brown,” said Hirschfeld, who also serves as a trustee emeritus and sponsors a visiting professor fellowship.

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Maud S. Mandel, dean of the college and professor of history and Judaic studies, thanked the Hirschfelds for their gift saying: “The newly named Hirschfeld House will serve as a welcoming beacon of Jewish scholarship for generations to come.”

Brown’s Judaic Studies program offers interdisciplinary academic experiences dedicated to the study of Jewish history, literature, language, politics and religions. Its major areas of focus include the interactions of Jews and non-Jews in both ancient and modern periods; the history and culture of the State of Israel and its place in the Middle East; and the modern Jewish experience.

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