The Shapiro Fund

Dr. Christina Smerick (Ph. D., DePaul University) is the Shapiro Chair of Jewish-Christian Studies at Greenville College. Her areas of specialty include Philosophy of Religion and Jewish thought, and her dissertation (completed in 2003) focused upon the interwining of Jewish theology and philosophy in the works of a 20th century German-Jewish thinker, Walter Benjamin.

"I believe that understanding the origins of one's religious faith is crucial to the deepening and strengthening of that faith. Studying and coming to develop an appreciation of Jewish history and thought serves both to develop our students' faith, and to build bridges between Christian and Jewish religious communities. This bridge-building has political and social as well as religious consequences, and seems essential in our world today."

Funding initiative

The Shapiro Foundation of Chicago has generously responded to our vision, contributing funds that have helped endow the Chair of Jewish-Christian Studies at Greenville College. Incorporated by the Shapiro family of Chicago, it is an independent foundation interested in funding higher education, human services, and Jewish programs and organizations. A secondary interest is Jewish education.