Dr. Jacob Needleman, author, philosopher, and former Director of the Center for the Study of New Religious Movements at the GTU, passed away on November 28, 2022, at the age of 88.
Dr. Needleman was educated in philosophy at Harvard, Yale and the University of Freiburg, Germany. In addition to his work at the GTU, he was Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion at San Francisco State University and a former visiting professor at the Duxx Graduate School of Business Leadership in Monterrey, Mexico
He was the author of many books, including The New Religions, which was considered a pioneering study of the new American spirituality.
The Center for the Study of New Religious Movements was active from 1980-1983 as the result of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Rockefeller Foundation. Scholars produced working papers on coercion and authority, new religious movements' impact on social values and education, and legal issues including economic, political, and public policy implications.
A celebration of Dr. Needleman's life will be held at San Francisco State University on February 26 from 1-4pm. To attend the event, please register here.