Gershon Hundert (1946-2023)

Gershon Hundert Z’l passed away on October 27^th 2023, after a short illness. Gershon was a beloved colleague, teacher, and mentor. We miss him terribly.

Below are two tributes: the first, written by Gershon’s colleagues in Jewish Studies and History; the second, by current students in Jewish Studies.

• ÌýTribute from ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ Colleagues (Department of Jewish Studies & Department of History and Classical Studies
• ÌýStudent Tribute

We are also sharing a short video in which Gershon describes the core research concerns that have animated his career. The clip is taken from a 2012 event held at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ to celebrate Gershon’s election, together with Derek Penslar and David Novak, into the fellowship of the Royal Society of Canada.

Peter Hoffmann (13 August, 1930 - 6 January, 2023)

The Department of History and Classical Studies is deeply saddened by the death on Friday January 6, 2023 of our dear colleague, Peter Hoffmann.

Professor Hoffmann was our Emeritus William Kingsford Professor of History. A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, recipient of the Officers’ Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, among many other distinguished awards and fellowships, Professor Hoffmann has been called ‘the Dean’ of resistance studies for his monumental and seminal research and publications on the German resistance to Hitler.

A dedicated, rigorous and popular undergraduate teacher, he received the Faculty’s undergraduate teaching award, and was sought after just as much as graduate teacher, supervisor and advocate.

Professor Hoffmann will be remembered no less for his academic leadership. Not only did he wisely and ably chair our Department, but our Library’s collection in German history is a testament to his uncompromising insistence on libraries’ centrality to University teaching, research and scholarship.

A lasting and appropriate legacy to Professor Hoffmann’s distinguished career is the fully funded Peter C. Hoffmann Chair in German History. The latter owes everything to his vision, determination, and acclaimed scholarship, to his teaching and leadership, not to mention his substantial personal contribution and seven years of tireless fundraising efforts.

We send all our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.