Dr Israel Kipen Lectureship in Hebrew Studies

The University of Melbourne will possess Australia's leading course in Hebrew language and Jewish culture, thanks to a generous gift from a Melbourne alumnus on his 95th birthday. Dr Israel Kipen, who has been involved in Victorian education for more than half a century, has worked closely with the University to form the Dr Israel Kipen Lectureship in Hebrew Studies. The gift will provide significant ongoing support that will underpin the lectureship in Hebrew Studies within the Program in Jewish Culture and Society - the only one of its kind in Victoria. The lectureship will enable the continued teaching of the Hebrew language and literature, and contribute to the understanding of Jewish history, culture and society at the University. Dr Kipen migrated to Melbourne from Poland in 1946, following the end of the Second World War. He quickly established himself as a knitwear manufacturer and educationalist, and was one of the founders of Bialik College in 1963. Dr Kipen was on the school executive of Mount Scopus College (1949-58) and helped found the immigration reception resource, the Bialystoker Centre.