Major gift from the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation secures future of Hebrew studies at U of T

Jan 8, 2026

*The Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies announced the Sam and Alice Lieberman Professorship in Hebrew Studies during its Hanukkah celebration. Photo by Diana Tyszko.*

A transformative gift from the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation is helping to secure the future of Hebrew studies at the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies.

The University of Toronto is matching the $1.5 million gift to establish the Sam and Alice Lieberman Professorship in Hebrew Studies. The endowed professorship is named in honour of Judy Tanenbaum’s parents.

“My parents were deeply proud of their Jewish heritage,” says Judy Tanenbaum, co-founder of the Tanenbaum Family Foundation. “We are so pleased this endowment will give generations of Canadian students access to rich, in-depth learning in Hebrew at U of T.”

Advancing curriculum development and research

The professorship will advance new curriculum development and research, building on the centre’s strong foundation in Hebrew instruction and reinforcing its position as a global leader in the field.

“This generous gift is an important milestone for the humanities, and we are incredibly fortunate to share in this vision with the Tanenbaum family,” says Anna Shternshis, director of the centre. “Hebrew is the language of both ancient and modern civilization, and this remarkable endowment safeguards its study for generations to come and ensures that it will always be taught at the University of Toronto.”

Sam and Alice Lieberman, Judy Tanenbaum’s parents.

Under the instruction of Yigal Nizri, an associate professor, teaching stream in the Department for the Study of Religion and cross-appointed to the centre, the Anne Tanenbaum Centre has become one of the largest and most comprehensive hubs for Hebrew studies in North America. In the 2024-25 academic year, it enrolled more than 75 undergraduate and graduate students in modern Hebrew courses, reflecting a burgeoning interest in the Hebrew language curriculum.

“Arts & Science is incredibly fortunate to have the generous support of the Larry and Judy Tanenbaum Family Foundation,” says Stephen Wright, interim dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “This professorship will help us elevate our research potential and continue to support exceptional students in Hebrew studies.”

A major milestone for the humanities

The Sam and Alice Lieberman Professorship in Hebrew Studies joins six other endowed chairs at the centre. Scholars in these professorships benefit from dedicated research funding and lead initiatives to create programs that both train students and attract top candidates to U of T.

The centre collaborates with more than 20 departments and units across the university, offering courses in a broad range of disciplines, including archeology, art, history, languages, literature, performance, philosophy, political science, religion and sociology. Its interdisciplinary approach draws students from diverse backgrounds both Jewish and non-Jewish alike.

In 2014, the centre was renamed following a generous campaign led by Larry and Ken Tanenbaum, son and grandson of the celebrated philanthropist Anne Tanenbaum, which raised an endowment of approximately $18 million.

By Coby Zucker