1990s Timeline

Making a Stand Against Discrimination

One of our students from this time, Rodney Tanner, had gone to a Jewish day school, Jewish summer camps, and lived in a Jewish neighborhood. He came to Hillel hoping to not only build on his Jewish connections
but live his Jewish values.

In 1991, a local chapter of the Klu Klux Klan decided to protest the idea of a day devoted to the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (a national holiday for MLK Day had not yet been established). The Klan decided to march in Blacksburg – and on that day, Hillel participated with Rodney as a speaker in a separate solidarity event with African American and other community leaders.

Leaders of the university’s black, Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities, along with Tech officials, denounced all forms of prejudice and joined the audience in prayers and songs for social equality. This unity event helped raise the profile of Jewish students on campus and promoted the Jewish principles of justice and equality.

Rodney recalled the event: “As unfortunate as it was to be directly confronted with this ugly reality, the university and student reaction was heartening and welcoming to all members of campus. The organization of the celebration of the unity was an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. In the process, we diminished the voice of the KKK and strengthened the voice of inclusion.”

Rodney Tanner participated in the event and received recognition and thanks from the university president James D. McComas.

Jeff Kurtz Begins to Organize Hillel

Hillel had been student-led and student-run for its entire existence, but with the hiring of its first part-time director, Jeff Kurtz, it began to engage students more broadly. In addition to an annual picnic to begin the school year, Kurtz organized camping trips, ziplining, tubing, ski trips, and museum trips. A Jewish acapella group was formed thanks to the active involvement of several talented student singers. Shabbat dinners, which had once been monthly, began to be held weekly.

Judaic Studies Curriculum Established

The Malcolm and Diane Rosenberg Endowed Program in Judaic Studies was established at Virginia Tech with a gift from the Rosenbergs, who reside in Roanoke.

Malcolm Rosenberg, who has long been involved in Jewish activities, both in Virginia and in Israel, felt the establishment of such a program would help foster greater understanding between the Jewish and non-Jewish students at Virginia Tech and in Southwest
Virginia in general. “The Judaic Studies curriculum,” he said, “will be particularly instrumental for the more than 700 Jewish
students enrolled at Virginia Tech by enabling them to gain extensive knowledge about their heritage and cultural identity. Additionally, a Judaic Studies program is particularly timely because of the focus on the ever-changing events in the Middle East.”

The Malcolm and Diane Rosenberg Program in Judaic Studies offers students the opportunity to explore, examine, and critically engage the rich and multifaceted history, religion, and culture of the Jewish people. Judaic culture has significantly contributed to Western and other civilizations.

Amanda Herring, a Judaic Studies minor said, “The Jewish Studies classes gave me a historical and academic base for my Jewish identity and served to deepen and strengthen my connection to that part of myself.“