2 IU professors named among 7 unsung heroes. Learn about their contributions.

Two Indiana University professors have been named among seven "unsung Jewish American Heroes” thanks to their contributions to medicine and the study of contemporary antisemitism.

Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, distinguished professor at the IU School of Medicine, and Alvin Rosenfeld, director of the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism, were named to the list by the American Jewish Committee.

The New York-based AJC recognized the professors as part of Jewish American Heritage Month. The nonprofit says on its website that it aims to “enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.”

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Einhorn has been part of the IU School of Medicine faculty since 1973, according to IU.

“His field of expertise includes clinical trials and supportive care, with focus in the areas of lung and testicular cancers,” the university says on its website.

Einhorn has been involved in development of new drug therapies for testicular and lung cancers.

“His legacy will forever be linked with revolutionizing testicular cancer treatment,” IU said. Thanks to his “monumental findings,” the survival rate of patients with metastatic testicular cancer has risen to 80%. Before his research, it was 10%.

“Dr. Einhorn rose to even greater prominence when he used his novel treatment paradigm to treat Lance Armstrong, cancer advocate and seven-time winner of the Tour de France. With Dr. Einhorn's treatment, Armstrong survived stage 3 testicular cancer that initially presented with abdominal, brain and lung metastases.”

The AJC said the IU School of Medicine estimates that Einhorn’s discoveries directly saved the lives of more than 300,000 young men.

“It’s an honor to be able to deal with a disease in young, healthy people where you tell them that the goal of therapy is neither relief of symptoms nor a slight prolongation of survival — the goal is a cure,” he told the AJC. “And fortunately, we are able to achieve that goal in the overwhelming majority of these young patients.”

Einhorn told the AJC that recognizing Jewish American contributions is important, “but it’s also crucial to acknowledge that Americans from all backgrounds have moved the field of medicine forward in significant ways.”

“I would hope that we look at ourselves as Americans, as a global community, in wanting to do the good and righteous thing that we should be doing — regardless of religion, nationality, race, creed or anything else,” Einhorn said.

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Rosenfeld, who is also the Irvin M. Glazer Chair in Jewish Studies at IU Bloomington, “is a distinguished figure in the field of antisemitism research, renowned for his expertise as a lecturer and writer and as a founder of Indiana University's well-regarded Borns Jewish Studies Program, where he has served as director for 30 years,” according to the AJC.

The organization said Rosenfeld also has fought antisemitism through his involvement with national and international institutions and organizations and has left “a profound mark on global conversations about the Holocaust and what can be done to fight antisemitism today — a topic he didn’t expect to fill up so much of his time.”

“The general notion was that given the scandal of Nazi mass murders of Jews, anyone who harbored antisemitic sentiments wouldn't really voice them in the public sphere,” Rosenfeld told the AJC.

“We were simply wrong because we're living at a time of really a resurgence of antisemitism,” he said. “Unfortunately, knowledge of past crimes is not sufficient to forestall future crimes.”

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Rosenfeld has lectured across America, India, Israel, Russia and Europe, including Germany but still lectures about anti-Jewish hostility.

“As I tell my own students, as soon as you begin thinking in slogans, you stop thinking. While the first target may be Jews, it undermines civil liberties, and puts at risk the foundational basis for ongoing liberal democracy,” he said.

Rosenfeld said Friday that he felt gratitude at receiving the AJC's recognition.

"It's wonderful," he said. "I couldn't be more pleased."

Rosenfeld said his parents came from Podolia, which was Tsarist Russia at the time and now is in Ukraine, with "virtually nothing." They told their three sons to get an education. Of the three, one is a doctor, and the other two became professors.

"To accomplish that in one generation is very gratifying," Rosenfeld said.

Rosenfeld also shared an email he received from a former student Friday morning, who told Rosenfeld of the importance of his work to fight the rise in antisemitism across the world.

"It should come as no surprise that you out of all people were chosen," the former student wrote. "Your contributions to the Jewish community in America have not gone unnoticed and hopefully will lead to meaningful change."

Many people enclose themselves in an echo chamber and spread hate and inflammatory ideas among themselves, but "a voice like yours shines through," the student wrote.

"In my eyes, every person you manage to reach is like a life saved," the student wrote.

The AJC also recognized an entrepreneur who helps schools, businesses and other institutions create spaces free of abuse and harassment; a diversity equity and inclusion consultant; a U.S. Navy veteran and reservist; a Seattle Police Department officer and U.S. Army veteran; and a criminal defense attorney.

“Jewish Americans make important contributions to society every day,” the AJC said. “As we reflect on the achievements of Jewish Americans, we also reaffirm our commitment to fostering a nation that celebrates diversity, embraces inclusivity, and honors the remarkable contributions of all its citizens.”

Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: 2 Indiana University professors named unsung Jewish American heroes