Jewish American Heritage Month

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UW and the community | UW Notebook

June 29, 2021

Recent news from the Jackson School of International Studies includes a new endowed scholarship for study of India made possible by two alumni, and a book on angels in ancient Jewish culture by Jewish Studies professor Mika Ahuvia.

Alumni gift supports student study of India

S. Rao and Usha Varanasi

A new endowed scholarship in the UW Jackson School of International Studies will fund study of India for students in any discipline, with a focus on undergraduates.

The S. Rao and Usha Varanasi Endowed Scholarship for Studies of India in the Jackson School will be funded by a $100,000 gift by the two alumni who are longtime donors.

The South Asia Center will award the scholarship annually to students who demonstrate interest in India through coursework, study abroad, language training, honors thesis research or other initiatives.

We are fortunate to have grown up in two major democracies, India and the United States, but we feel that the understanding of strengths and similarities between our two beloved countries is often superficial, the Varanasis said in an article on the Jackson School website.

Our endowment is an encouragement to students to learn about India from renowned teachers and experts because knowledge deepens empathy.

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Book by Mika Ahuvia explores angels in ancient Jewish culture

Angelic beings can be found throughout the Hebrew Bible, writes Mika Ahuvia, associate professor in the Jackson School. And by late antiquity the archangels Michael and Gabriel were as familiar as the patriarchs and matriarchs (and) guardian angels were as present as ones shadow.

Mika Ahuvia

In her new book, On My Right Michael, On My Left Gabriel: Angels in Ancient Jewish Culture, Ahuvia explores the ancient Jewish practice centered on humans relationships with invisible beings who acted as intermediaries, role models and guardians. The book was published this month by University of California Press.

Using such non-canonical sources as mystical texts, liturgical poetry, amulets and incantation bowls, Ahuvia shows that when ancient men and women sought access to divine aid, they turned not only to their rabbis or to God alone but often also to the angels.

Ahuvia teaches courses in Jewish studies, global studies and comparative religion at the Jackson School. She is the Marsha and Jay Glazer Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies and a faculty member of the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies.

Learn more at the Jackson School website. Watch video of a conversation with Ahuvia about the book produced by Fordham University.

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From the Jackson School: Endowed scholarship for India study, book on angels in ancient Jewish culture - UW News

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