Linda Gradstein has been named the first Norman and Gerry Sue Arnold Distinguished Visiting Chair in Jewish Studies at the College of Charleston. The Chair will bring world-class professionals in Jewish Studies to the College each year.
Gradstein is a journalist who reports for Public Radio International’s The World, AOL News and writes for Slate Magazine. She was the Israel correspondent for National Public Radio News from 1990 until 2009.
Gradstein has covered important events in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip such as the intifada, the mass immigration of Soviet immigrants to Israel, the leadership of Yasser Arafat, Hamas in Gaza, the Persian Gulf War, and major elections in Israel. She is a member of the team that received the Overseas Press Club award for her coverage of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, as well as the team that received Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism for her coverage of the Persian Gulf War.
“We are very fortunate to have Linda at the College,” says Martin Perlmutter, Director of the Yaschik/Arnold Program in Jewish Studies at the College of Charleston. “Her experience and knowledge of the Middle East will be invaluable to our students. Her courses will add an altogether different dimension to our curriculum.”
Gradstein will be teaching two classes at the College. “Covering Conflict in the Middle East” is a cross-listed in Jewish Studies and Communication. “Women in Israel and Palestine” is cross-listed with Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Gradstein will be the Visiting Chair for the fall semester.
