Lawrence E. Frizzell

As with the Jewish calendar, the University world makes the transition to a new academic year in September.  The faculty members of the Department of Jewish-Christian Studies welcome our new and returning students!  May these months be a time of accomplishment for all, especially for those completing the M.A. program!

For some senior supporters of our work the transition has been made from this age/world to the age to come.  We offer our deep sympathy to the Steiner and Sandler families in their time of bereavement.

Dr. Gloria L. Steiner passed away on July 5, 2008.  She was a professor of psychology at Kean University and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry.  For almost twenty years she and her husband, Dr. Charles Steiner, helped to guide the Sister Rose Thering Endowment in its service to the Department of Jewish-Christian Studies.  Her contributions to our work will continue to bear fruit in years to come.

Dr. Florence Field Sandler died peacefully in her home on August 16, 2008.  A native of South Orange, she taught in the English Department of Seton Hall and Kean Universities.  She and her aunt, Amada Safirstein, Esq., were involved with Jewish-Christian Studies since the late 1970s.  Dr. Sandler made a long-term commitment to the Sister Rose Thering Endowment to foster the work of educators in New Jersey school for understanding and amity among the varied groups in our communities.  To begin her funeral service Rabbi Norman Patz of Cedar Grove quoted from the Wisdom of Solomon: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God… and they are at peace” (Wis 3:1-3).

The Reverend Nancy E. Forsberg, a resident of Maplewood since early childhood, died on April 5, 2008 at the age of 85.  From the late 1950s she was a strong advocate for interreligious understanding, with a special focus on Israel.  She led 20 groups to the Land over the decades and was a lifetime member of Hadassah.  From 1967 until her retirement she was pastor of the United Church of Christ in Union, N.J.  Through the intervention of Dr. Lawrence Hogan of Union County College, the books and papers of the Reverend Forsberg were donated to the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies.  They will become part of the Walsh Library archives in Jewish-Christian Studies.

In many ways we build on the work and commitment of those who have gone before us.  May we remember their generosity of spirit!

Lawrence E. Frizzell
Fall 2008