$100,000 Gift for Holocaust Studies Adds to Feinberg Legacy

Hillel Feinberg recently made a $100,000 gift to increase the endowment for the Hillel A. Feinberg Distinguished Chair of Holocaust Studies, thus extending his legacy of support for the Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas.

Feinberg, who is chairman emeritus of Hilltop Securities Inc., established the endowment in 2007 alongside a contribution from longtime Ackerman Center supporters John H. and Libba Massey. In 2019, additional contributions from Feinberg and others at the inaugural Ackerman Center Leadership Dinner elevated the fund to a distinguished chair, and Feinberg has continued to augment the endowment over the years.

"I hope the center continues to grow," Feinberg said. "I hope that more and more students will at least take a course and study the Holocaust. Hopefully, they will become more aware of what is going on in the world."

Dr. David Patterson, professor of literature and history and a member of the World Union of Jewish Studies and the Association for Jewish Studies, currently holds the Hillel A. Feinberg Distinguished Chair of Holocaust Studies, which supports the scholarly, educational and community outreach activities of internationally recognized scholars of Holocaust studies, including related aspects of European and American history. This includes literature, culture and politics that form the context of the Holocaust.

"David Patterson is an unbelievable person and professor who is dedicated to his work," Feinberg said. "He's very well respected and has had an incredible impact on the Ackerman Center, so continuing to improve the funding of the chair will support his needs."

Patterson's students are working on a variety of original research projects, all related to the Holocaust or antisemitism. The additional funding will support research, help students attend conferences and address other programming needs.

"Thanks to Mr. Feinberg's gift, I can continue to do research on the Holocaust and antisemitism and disseminate the results near and far," Patterson said. "Such work is needed now more than ever. This deeply appreciated gift will also enable me to fund my PhD students as they conduct their important research."