Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1986 (14. évfolyam, 47-50. szám)
1986 / 47-48. szám
Alt / VII AM€RICAN HUNGARIAN FOUNDATION HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER Hungarian Research Institute of Canada The HSN reported on the establishment of the Institute on p. 7 of no. 45. In the interim, more information became available regarding the objectives and the structure of the institute. The institute received its federal charter of incorporation in late 1985 and its tax-exempt status in early 1986. The charter of the institute states the objectives as follows: (a) “To initiate, conduct, coordinate and facilitate research on all matters of interest to Hungarian-Canadians, in particular; research with respect to historical, cultural, political, economic and social aspects of the people of Hungary, Hugarian minorities and Hungarian communities worldwide. (b) To assemble archival and documentary materials on the above, (c) To support such research by grants, scholarships and other means, (d) To facilitate the dissemination of knowledge of subjects of Hungarian interest by publications, conferences, colloquia, public lectures, and other means, (e) To promote the teaching of the Hungarian language, literature, and Hungarian subjects generally at Canadian universities.” The stated program outline says that the institute is “designed to complement and not duplicate organized scholarly activities in Hungary and at other centers of learning concerned with Hungarian studies. Its mandate is to identify gaps and needs, to cooperate with other research institutions, and to provide guidance and financial aid for appropriate research endeavors. The firm belief ofthe founders is that the interest of Hungarians everywhere, and of science in general, will be served by enlightened scholarship and by the encouragement of young scholars in particular to devote their energies to Hungarian studies.” The institute will appoint an international academic advisory committee, and it invites recommendations regarding the scope of its future activities. The primary emphasis of the Institute is on social scientific investigation into the history and culture of the Hungarian nation and of Hungarians everywhere. Preliminary academic program planning includes the following: (a) Publication and expansion of the Hungarian Studies Review; (b) Acquisition of oral interviews and other archival material on Hungarian history since the interwar period; (c) Support for research and publication on the Hungarian-Canadian experience; (d) Support for research and publication on selected themes; (e) Financial aid for graduate research in Hungarian studies. The institute is also developing a broadercultural program (normally on a cost-recovery basis) for the benefit of the general public, in Toronto and elsewhere. This program will draw on outstanding figures in the Hungarian literary, musical, and artistic as well as academic spheres. Founding members who should hold office as directors for three years are Tibor Fekete, president of Sze'chenyi Society; Levente Diosady, prof., U. of Toronto, Nicholas Korponay, president of Rákóczi Foundation; Bennett Kovrig, prof., U. of Toronto, Laslo Simon, dental surgeon, Toronto, and Francis Floszman, legal counsel. Bennett Korvig is serving as executive director ad interim. The HSN will continue to report on activities of the institute. THE FETTMAN CHAIR Hungarian Jews constituted the third largest Jewish community in the world, and made significant contributions to both the Hungarian and Jewish culture. Efforts are made to save the cultural heritage of that Jewry through scholarly and institutionalized work. Among the noblest efforts is the creation ofthe Fettman Chair at the Hebrew U. in Jerusalem. Upon the initiative and enthusiastic support of Moshe Carmilly, prof, emeritus, Yeshiva U. in New York, a Chair for the study of Central European Jewry was established at the Hebrew U. in 1977. The Chair was endowed by Margaret and Joseph Fettman, and is presently occupied by Michael Silber. In its nine years of existence the Chair offered a variety of courses, lectures, conferences and other academically related activities. In January 1986 a research-oriented project was established and affiliated with the Chair to foster research which was not in the primary field of the Fettman Chair. Thus, sponsored by a Cleveland businessman and community leader, Andrew Rosenfeld and his wife, Pearl, a research project for the study of Hungarian Jewish history was created. Lack of space permits us to give only random samples of topics of lectures, publications, and conferences: “The Ambivalence of Hungarian Liberals toward Jews and Judaism.” “The Economic, Social and Cultural Uniqueness of Transylvanian Jewry in the 19th and 20th Centuries.” “Jewish History in the Mirror of Hebrew Poetry in Hungary.” “The Urban Geography of Budapest and Viennese Jewry, 1800-1910.” “The Share of Hungarian Jews in the Development of Israel.” “The Demography and Economy of Hungarian Jewry." “The Roots of Schism in Hungarian Jewry: Cultural and Social Change from the Era of Joseph II untilthe Eve of the 1848 Revolution." For further information you may write to Margaret and Joseph Fettman Chair, Department of Jewish History, The Hebrew University, Givath Ram, Jerusalem, Israel, or to the American Friends of the Hebrew University, 11 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021. O THE SOROS FOUNDATION The HSN reported on the Soros Foundation(HSN no. 45, p. 7) as an undertaking of a successful businessman, who is noble in his aims and practical in his methods. The first annual report of the Foundation (1984-1985) begins with a testimony of its founder and president, George Soros. He says that the objective of the Foundation is to support the “the evolution of Hungarian society,” so that it develops into a “many-faceted society, rich in opportunities.” (Continued on Page 2) NO. 47-48, SPRING-SUMMER 1986 HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER
