This article describes how nonprofit organizations like Hillel are offering free genetic testing for Jewish college students. A growing number of colleges, including Pittsburgh, Brandeis University, and Columbia University are offering students free or reduced-cost screenings for diseases common to Jewish population. Genetic diseases common to…

Few academic debates are as contentious as those surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls. These fragments of some 800 ancient documents include portions of all but one book of the Hebrew Bible. The first ones were discovered in 1947 by shepherds in caves on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, and are believed to be the oldest surviving Judaic…

Alan Wolfe's article "Free Speech, Israel, and Jewish Illiberalism" prompted numerous responses on The Chronicle's online discussion forum. The essay commented on the debate that erupted following the Polish Consulate's decision to cancel a speech by the scholar Tony Judt--allegedly prompted by protests over his critical views of Israel…

Describes how Hillel, the largest Jewish student organization in the world, is retooling its image. Efforts are underway to appeal to Jewish students of all backgrounds, as well as to provide modern new buildings for the organization. (EV)

Citing a pattern of outside interest groups aggressively seeking to impose their influence on recent collegiate hiring and tenure decisions, five prominent professors have formed the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend the University. They are circulating an online petition that takes explicit aim at "groups portraying themselves as defenders of Israel,"…

Describes how a conference of pro-Palestinian students roused strong emotions among both participants and supporters of Israel who showed up to protest. (EV)

Discusses how faculty members nationwide are reacting to a Web site that tracks professors' anti-Israel statements, and to a speech by Harvard's president, who linked an anti-Israel petition to anti-Semitism. (EV)

The Supreme Court ruled that Jews, Arabs, and people from other ethnic groups could file discrimination charges under the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Filing suit under the 1866 law allows complainants to sue for monetary damages and without the strict time limits set by the 1964 statute. (MLW)

The proportion of Princeton University (New Jersey) freshmen who identify themselves as Jewish is half what it was in 1973, and the proportion of Jewish Princeton students overall is less than half that of Harvard University (Massachusetts) or Yale University (Connecticut). Some fault recruitment strategy changes; others believe fewer Jewish…

Scholarly interest in Jewish studies, discouraged during Communist rule, is experiencing a renaissance in Poland. However, because the Jewish community is largely gone from Poland, much of the research must be conducted outside the country. It is felt that earlier censorship has stimulated interest in Jewish studies. Polish scholars feel their…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This October 1, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Ditch the Boyfriend" (Fleer, Elizabeth); (2) "Missing Summer Already" (Benton, Thomas H.); (3)…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This June 3, 2005 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "The Miraculous Sighting of a Vanished Bird" (Furman, Andrew); (2) "In…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This March 19, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "A Support Group for Terminal Grad Students" (Douglas, Lawrence; George,…

Leading scholars outline current research directions in anthropology, sociology, psychology, chemistry, art history, history, philosophy, linguistics, nuclear energy, business, mathematics, engineering, Afro-American studies, cognitive science, economics, literature, music, political science, Jewish studies, education, law, and biology. (MSE)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This September 17, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Just Deserts: A New Assistant Professor Wonders About the Price of…