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$2.5 million
CLOSTER
Doctor donates $2.5 million for Judaic studies program
By Catherine Wilde
Staff Writer
April 15, 2008
Closter resident Dr. Munr Kazmir has made a generous contribution to the cause of furthering cross-cultural understanding.
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Dr. Munr Kazmir
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Background: Of Muslim/Jewish descent, born in Pakistan in 1957. Grew up in Pakistan and the United Kingdom and moved to the United States in 1984.
Education: Received his medical degree in Pakistan and trained at White Plains Hospital in New York.
Involvement: The M K Foundation, the State of New Jersey lottery commission, the Federal Drug Agent Foundation, LibertyHealth Foundation, Rabbinical College of America, New Synagogue of Fort Lee, the American Jewish Congress, Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, American International School System.
Why cross-cultural awareness: "I am Jewish. Jewish people always want to make a difference through other cultures and help everybody and educate the world. My entire life I have helped people less fortunate. My mother is the role model of my life. She taught me to be good and [to have] strength."
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The CEO of Direct Meds, Inc. has donated $2.5 million to fund a full-time faculty position at George Washington University’s Judaic Studies program.
The program offers the hundreds of students that attend an interdisciplinary curriculum in Jewish history, religion, literature, political science and the Hebrew language.
As a Pakistan immigrant of Jewish and Muslim descent, Kazmir is uniquely positioned to promote understanding of Judaism.
"Being a Jewish person I have gone through a lot of anti-Semitism and I want to cut down the gap and [allow for] more understanding through education," said Kazmir.
Kazmir hopes the new teaching position will be a step toward that goal.
"People need to know how some of the minorities have been prosecuted. They need to know through education so they can cut down barriers and have dialogue and resolve the differences," he said.
Biblical studies, he said, is very important to show the common roots people have.
Kazmir said he chose George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences to benefit because he has confidence in the new president and administration.
"It is a good program, I am very excited," said Kazmir who said the new professor position is effective this year.
In a statement, Peg Barratt, dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, said, "Judaism shares much with Christianity and Islam, two of the world’s major religions. Dr. Kazmir’s generous gift will give GW another world-class faculty member who will enrich all aspects of our religious studies program."
E-mail: wilde@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6706
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