Fordham University has established the Shvidler Chair of Judaic Studies in the Department of Theology with a $3 million gift from Eugene Shvidler, GBA ’92.
Shvidler is the chairman of Millhouse LLC, an investment and asset management company. He is also the chairman of Highland Gold Mining Ltd, and is a member of the board of Evraz plc and AFC Energy plc.
“Fordham is grateful to Eugene Shvidler, not just for the very generous gift, but for using that gift to help the University grow in a new direction,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham.
“The history of the Jewish people, of course, is our history as well. As people of the book, our faiths share roots that go back four thousand years, therefore, in bringing the Judaic studies chair to Fordham, Mr. Shvidler strengthens this bond. For this we are much in his debt,” said Father McShane.
Born in the U.S.S.R., he received a master’s degree in mathematics from the Gubkin Institute of Petrochemicals and Natural Gas as well as an M.B.A. and master’s degree in international taxation from Fordham’s Graduate School of Business Administration. Shvidler was CEO of Sibneft, one of the major Russian oil companies.
The University is inviting nominees or applications for the chair. Candidates will be expected to have a distinguished record of research and scholarship in Rabbinic and/or later religious developments within the Jewish tradition. The traditions of Talmudic scholarship are preferred.
