Steven M. Cohen

FAIRFIELD – Sociologist Steven M. Cohen will open Fairfield University’s Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies’ fall season with the Judaic Studies Scholar-in-Residence Lecture, on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Cohen, research professor of Jewish Social Policy at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and director of the Berman Jewish Policy Archive at NYU Wagner, will discuss “Changing Patterns of Jewish Identity in the U.S.”
He also serves as research director of Synagogue 3000, senior counselor to the chancellor at the Jewish Theological Seminary, and director of the Florence G. Heller/JCCA Research Center. The author of several books, his latest work, “Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary,” of which he is a co-author, was honored with a National Jewish Book Award. Earlier this year, Cohen received an honorary doctorate from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies. In 2010, he was cited as one of the “Forward 50,” the Jewish Daily Forward’s annual list of noteworthy Jews.
The two-day Judaic Studies Scholar-in-Residence program includes additional events for students, faculty and staff.
The free lecture will be held in the university’s Barone Campus Center’s Oak Room. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call the Bennett Center at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.