Allen speaks on life, what it’s like to be Jewish at university

By Bethany McCormack
Staff Reporter

Richard Allen, a Jewish associate professor of radio-TV-film, said he wasn’t sure what to expect when he first started teaching at TCU eight years ago. What he said he found however, was a community where he felt embraced.

Allen told students and professors from the religion department about his experiences as a Jewish professor at TCU, during a luncheon Monday. Allen spoke on the topic “To Be a Jew at TCU” as part of Chi Delta Mu’s weekly programs.

To Be a Jew at TCU

Bethany McCormack/STAFF REPORTER Richard Allen, a Jewish associate professor of radio-TV-film, awaits his turn to address the audience at a luncheon Monday. His speech’s topic was “To Be a Jew at TCU.”

Allen said it’s important to consider the different observances of Judaism to understand what it means to be Jewish at TCU. He explained the differences between Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism and drew on experiences from his own life throughout.

Allen said growing up his family wasn’t observant of Judaism, but after moving to California with his wife, they joined a Conservative synagogue and became more observant. He said that as a Conservative observer of Judaism, he hasn’t had any problems observing his faith while teaching at TCU.

“The TCU community has really embraced us,” he said. “But it wouldn’t necessarily be the same for everyone.”

Allen said a truly Orthodox person would have trouble functioning at TCU because they strictly adhere to the laws of the Torah. He said, however, Reform or Conservative people can feel comfortable at TCU because they have more flexibility in observing the laws.

“I’ve been here eight years now, and in all that time, Judaism has not only stayed with me, but has grown quite a bit stronger,” he said. “Part of it comes from my relationship with my wife, part of it comes from our reaction to where we are and where we want to be and part of it comes from the ritual.”

Abbey Jones, a freshman premajor, said after hearing Allen speak, she is inspired to learn more about Judaism.
“Now I want to go to a synagogue and see what a service is like,” she said.

Daryl Schmidt, chairman of the religion department, said it was helpful for him to hear Allen speak from his personal experience about things many of the professors in the room teach about historically.

“It was an excellent learning experience and his sense of humor made it so much easier to understand,” Schmidt said.
Joe Blosser, the president of Chi Delta Mu, said the luncheons are a great way to meet professors and hear interesting speakers. The organization, sponsored by the religion department, brings in a speaker each week to discuss various topics over lunch.

“The biggest benefit over the long term is the chance to meet and interact with the religion faculty,” said Blosser, a senior religion and economics major. “Second is the incredible amount of topics that come through discussion.”

Blosser said topics and speakers are chosen each semester by members of the organization.

“At the beginning of every semester officers come up with topics we’d like to address or speakers we’d like to hear,” he said. “With Allen, it was a combination of both.”

The lunches are held at noon Mondays in Student Center, rooms 205 and 206. The cost of the meal is $6 and students can charge it to their meal cards.

Bethany McCormack
b.s.mccormack@student.tcu.edu