Professor Emeritus Mark Gelber (below right) of the Abrahams-Curiel Department of Foreign Literatures and Linguistics has been recognized by the Republic of Austria with Das Oesterreichische Ehrenkreuz fuer Wissenschaft and Kunst, 1 Klasse (Austrian Medal of Honor for Science and Art, First Class). The medal is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Republic of Austria, with a limited number going to Austrian citizens and a smaller number to international honorees.
The medal was presented by Dr. Johannes Strasser (above left), Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Tel Aviv, who cited Prof. Gelber's 38-year career and noted his contributions to Austria studies in Israel and to developing academic and cultural ties between the two countries, at the conclusion of a symposium on the future of Israel-Austria relations to mark Professor Gelber's retirement, hosted by the Department of Foreign Literatures and Linguistics. In addition, Gelber was presented with a Festschrift, a jubilee volume of essays written in his honor. The book, entitled Pathfinder on the Frontiers: Studies in German-Jewish Literary and Cultural History - Essays in Honor of Mark H. Gelber, includes 32 essays written by scholars from Israel, the United States, China and New Zealand, all of whom are colleagues or former students of Prof. Gelber.
Prof. Mark Gelber joined the University faculty in 1980. He served as head of the international students program, created the international summer-school program for Hebrew, Jewish studies and the study of Israel (for German speakers) and served as the first dean for international academic ties. He served as head of the Center for German and Austrian studies and was twice named chairman of the Department of Foreign Languages and Linguistics. He also wrote and/or edited approximately 100 books, journal articles and chapters, as well as more than 100 short academic articles including reviews and encyclopedia articles.
