|
|
|
|
|
|
Fifth-Year Rabbinical Candidates |
| |
|
The Rabbinical School of Hebrew College |
| |
|
 |
The Rabbinical School of Hebrew College announces the forthcoming ordination of its first graduating class in June 2008. The following rabbinic candidates from this transdenominational, five-year program
are now available for interviews.
To learn more and arrange an interview, please contact Rabbi Dan Judson, 617-559-8632, or djudson@hebrewcollege.edu. |
|
|
 |
Alison Adler
As a rabbi I envision empowering people of all ages to engage in Jewish study that is relevant for our times, to be moved to work for social justice and to experience prayer and life-cycle rituals that are vibrant and meaningful. My background as a therapist has influenced a particular interest in teaching adolescents, college students and adults about Jewish understandings of body image and food. I hope to continue to teach about the connection between spirituality and physical wellbeing. My work and my life have been shaped by my involvement in the havurah movement, where everyone—any age, any background—is a teacher, and everyone is a learner engaged in creating vibrant Jewish communities.
back |
|
|
 |
Michael Cohen
Hebrew College has enriched me with a wealth of skills, learning and experience that I hope to share with a community. I believe that a rabbi can bring people deeper into their caring community. I hope to draw on the wealth of ideas in Jewish texts to explore the profound issues that confront our lives. Above all, I am committed to helping people connect with their spirits, with their sense of what is most important, and to enabling the synagogue to be a dynamic home for caring, learning and activism.
back |
|
|
 |
Judi Ehrlich
As a rabbi I would like to share the joys, support, social values and spiritual traditions that Judaism has offered me. Whether I find myself in a congregation steeped in tradition or one for whom ritual and text are unfamiliar, it is my goal to empower individuals to deepen their relationship with our sources and experience the blessings of shared prayer, study and community involvement. As a woman raised in a vibrant Orthodox community, I would love the opportunity to combine the wisdom of the past with progressive attitudes, social justice, personal growth through continued learning and joyful observance in an inclusive community.
back |
|
|
 |
Hannah Gershon
I hope to bridge the lingering gap between Jewish tradition and current reality by an ongoing commitment to transdenominational dialogue and a dedication to accessible Jewish education. I am interested in actively contributing to the evolving enfranchisement of historically marginalized members of klal Yisrael such as the Jewish GLBTQ community, deaf and hard of hearing Jews, as well as Jews dealing with any other types of disabilities. As one who follows traditional egalitarian practice, I believe in the continuing relevance of our inherited bodies of customs, liturgies and value systems while being equally committed to the ongoing evolution of halakhic interpretations and applications in contemporary societies.
back |
|
|
 |
Randy Kafka
As a lover of history, I understand that the American Jewish experience is both a profound gift and a serious challenge. As a psychologist, I believe that the cultivation of compassion in community is needed now more than ever. As a scholar, I am passionate about exploring our traditional texts in ways that open our minds and hearts. As a seeker, myself, with a down-to-earth spirituality, I am committed to supporting seekers of all backgrounds in finding what their souls yearn for within Judaism.
back |
|
|
 |
Chaim Koritzinsky
I envision serving the Jewish people by engaging individuals and groups of Jews from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to learn, celebrate and support one another in community. Drawing on my significant experience in Israel, the former Soviet Union, as well as Central and South America, I imagine creating and facilitating dynamic learning and personal growth experiences through service-learning, foreign travel and group mifgashim (cultural exchanges). As a bridge builder, I believe that reaching out to other faith communities is also critical in cultivating a Jewish sensitivity toward our neighbors—whether in the United States, Israel or the broader Jewish world.
back |
|
|
 |
Stephen Landau
I grew up in a classical Reform Jewish home, and eventually came to daven mornings in a Conservative shul, learn in a Reform bet midrash, serve on the board of a Renewal congregation, study with a Habad rabbi, and, when in Jerusalem, daven with two different modern Orthodox minyanim. When I realized I wanted to be a rabbi, my dream was simply to learn my tradition and pass it on to the ones coming after me. As I become ordained, my vision remains the same—to go where I am needed and serve a congregation for the rest of my life. Years from now, I hope I can look back and say that I lived my vision, helping to create a community of joyful and learned Jews of all ages, sharing the ups and downs of real life, and making meaning out of the small moments that we string together and make into our lives.
back |
|
|
 |
Jim Morgan
I came to rabbinical school after ten years in academia, learning and teaching Russian language and literature. The values that informed my first career—critical inquiry, love for language and the struggle to make meaning out of the raw material of life—continue in my second career. My wife and children have added the values of abiding love and shalom bayit (a peaceful home). Finally, Hebrew College has introduced me to the wonder of prayer, the evolution of halakhah and the rewards of community. My vision is to empower a diverse community of Jews (and non-Jewish family members) to build a deeper connection to Judaism and to one another. The paths leading to this connection go in many directions: musical, participatory prayer experiences; engaging, challenging education; compassionate pastoral work; and effective community organizing leading to social action.
back |
|
|
 |
Elaine Pollack
The beauty and wisdom of Jewish tradition inspired me to be a lifelong learner and to choose Jewish education as a profession 22 years ago. I’ve been blessed to have opportunities to work with kids and adults of all Jewish denominations. Rabbinical school has been just the right place to expand my own learning and personal practice, and to think about how I might inspire others. My vision of my rabbinate is to serve as a synagogue educator and prayer leader. I would like to encourage and support my community to become actively involved in their own Jewish growth and awareness, and to experience the joy of life-cycle and holiday celebration in family and in kehillah. I hope, as well, to facilitate involvement in “acts of loving kindness” and tikkun olam within kehillah and in the greater community.
back |
|
|
 |
Shayna Rhodes
As the future of American Judaism stands at the crossroads, I want to do what I can to direct its path. Born into an Orthodox family at a time when there were no women rabbis, I feel incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to both learn and teach—to take part in a conversation that has been going on for thousands of years. I want to encourage and empower others to join in the conversation that is their heritage, to struggle with the difficult task of blending traditional Judaism with life in the twenty-first century. Through tefillah, talmud Torah and hahnasat orhim, (prayer, Torah study and hospitality), I would like to celebrate Shabbat, holidays and family events with a spirituality that is accessible to everyone, and to create a synagogue environment that is both stimulating and welcoming.
back |
|
|
 |
Sonia Saltzman
I chose to enter the rabbinate because I believe in the beauty and wisdom of Judaism and hope to inspire others to discover or deepen their appreciation for our tradition by engaging in a lifelong process of Jewish learning. Growing up in Chile, in a home imbued with Jewish values, but at a time when opportunities for Jewish learning were especially limited for women, I am motivated to creating gateways for all to enter at any point in their lives. I believe in worship services that uplift our hearts and minds through song and teachings; in educational experiences that wrestle with the tradition; and in ensuring that the values of our tradition translate into practice. The community I envision is one that is inclusive and egalitarian and that offers its members support, joy and meaning in their lives. But I also know from experience, having worked in economic development in Latin America, that our tradition is a limitless source of inspiration for us to reach beyond our own communities and to offer the world at large a commitment to social justice.
back |
|
|
|
|
|
