Presidential Address

Abstract

Presidential Address Adele Reinhartz President of the Society of Biblical Literature 2020 Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature Virtual Meeting 6 December 2020 Introduction given by James C. VanderKam Vice President, Society of Biblical Literature https://doi.org/10.15699/jbl.1401.2021.1a It is a pleasure to introduce Adele Reinhartz, the President of the Society of Biblical Literature for the year 2020, but it is also a daunting responsibility because she is so accomplished. In the next few minutes I will attempt to do some justice to her impressive record. Adele took her BA degree from the University of Toronto in 1975 and her MA at McMaster University in 1977, with a thesis entitled "The Abraham Midrashim." For her doctoral work, she continued at McMaster, receiving her degree in 1983. Her dissertation, directed by Ed Sanders, bore the title "John 20:30–31 and the Purpose of the Fourth Gospel." It was the beginning of her interaction with the Gospel of John that continues to the present. Adele's studies led to a career at several universities in Canada and indeed around the world. Her initial appointment came while she was still in her doctoral program. She began in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Toronto in 1981 and remained there until 1987, at which point she took up a position at McMaster in its Department of Religious Studies. She remained at McMaster until 2002, and while there became an Associate Dean in the School of Graduate Studies. McMaster was the first to recognize her administrative gifts but certainly not the last. Although she maintained her connection with McMaster as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Religious Studies from 2002 to 2012, in 2002 she became the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at Wilfrid Laurier University and held the office until 2005, while also being a professor in the Department of Religion and Culture. Her next stop, beginning in 2005, was her present location, the University of Ottawa. At Ottawa she is a professor in the [End Page 3] Department of Classics and Religious Studies, while from 2005 to 2007 she was the Associate Vice-President for Research. She is also an Affiliate of the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies (2020–), has a cross-appointment to the School of Music (2020–2023), and is currently the chair of the Department of Classics and Religious Studies. A colleague there speaks highly of her innovative leadership at a challenging time, calls her a wonderful model and collaborator, and commends her for how clear, considerate, and constructive she is in meetings, whether she agrees with or differs from what others are saying. Adele has held visiting positions in a number of institutions around the world. They include universities in Canada, the United States, South Africa, Germany, and Israel, as well as the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. She was awarded the highest honor an academic can receive in Canada when she was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2005. Time constraints allow only a summary of comments I have received from Adele's students. Words that figure in them are authentic and genuine—terms for Adele's relationship with students and for what she encourages them to be in their research and writing. One calls her "an incredibly understanding person who pushes students to be the best they can be." Or, Adele "has always provided me with thoroughly helpful, practical, and wise advice about how to make my way in academia as a junior scholar." Another said that she "guides without hovering." So much has she served as a role model that one group of graduate students used the acronym WWAD—what would Adele do—out of admiration for her as teacher, researcher, and mentor. One described Adele's attitude toward scholarship in this way: "Take it seriously, work hard and accurately, be critical—but enjoy what you're doing and don't forget to live." Her mentoring of students takes place not only during their degree programs but continues after graduation. As a former student said, she keeps Adele's "advice at the forefront...