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SFSU Jewish studies seek to reduce ethnic discord.
With San Francisco State University still reeling from one of its most divisive ethnic battles in recent memory, the school's fledgling Jewish studies program is poised to play a major role in the healing process.
"The real work of understanding is going to take place in the classroom, not in major public confrontations," says Howard Eilberg-Schwartz, the program's newly appointed director.
"I'd like Jewish studies to build ties with faculty in ethnic studies and women's studies. My intention is that this program reach out and find ways to build coalitions with other segments of the university campus."
San Francisco State erupted in conflict two weeks ago, when an African American student group unveiled a controversial mural of Malcolm X. The mural, which included Stars of David amid dollar signs, skulls and crossbones and the words "African blood," was ordered sandblasted off the student union by the university's president. Nonetheless, it threatens to cast a shadow over ethnic relations on campus for months to come.
Next semester, according to Eilberg-Schwartz, the year-old Jewish studies program hopes to offer a course in...