O n October 29, Seattle Pacific University welcomed to campus renowned author and scholar Chaim Potok. Born in Brooklyn in 1929 to Polish immigrants, Potok was raised an Orthodox Jew with the expectation that he would become a Talmudic scholar. However, at age 16, following a powerful encounter with literature, he decided on a writing career. Other books include In the Beginning , The Book of Lights and Davita's Harp . Potok's work has long been part of Seattle Pacific University's core curriculum for incoming freshmen.
Students relate to the characters.
They're the same age dealing with the same issues of identity and faith. Students learn about the artistic process and gain a new understanding of art and culture as tools to examine our faith. Last year, sophomore Shannon Fletcher studied The Chosen . The thing I remember most is how the Jews in the book were so devoted to their faith. It meant everything to them.