Hebrew College Koleinu: New Faces, Fall Events

August 7, 2025 | 13 Av 5785

Koleinu |our voice|

Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world.

Parashat Vaetchanan | Candlelighting 7:37 PM EST

Layers of Meaning in Harel Kedem’s Sefirot Series

This fall, Hebrew College is excited to present “Hidden Portals: The Sefirot Series by Harel Kedem,” a collection that explores how feeling and intellect intersect in language and art. Across more than two dozen paintings, Harel Kedem, an Israeli-born, New England-based artist whose career spans five decades, beckons viewers to consider the layers of Jewish mysticism and tradition. Each painting is composed from the Hebrew letters of a particular sefirah, layering the characters to create images that are both text and abstraction. Hebrew text both forms and embeds within the composition, encouraging viewers to search, discover, and reflect.

Register for the exhibit opening on Sept. 11 at 5 PM

WELCOMING OUR NEW TRUSTEES

Jesse Friedlander and Michael Goldberg

Hebrew College is thrilled to welcome two outstanding leaders, Jesse Friedlander and Michael Goldberg, as the newest members of our Board of Trustees. Friedlander spent 20 years in Hong Kong, where he co-founded Des Voeux Partners, an international multi-family office now located in Bethesda, Maryland, which he continues to manage. Goldberg is Of Counsel at the law firm of Casner & Edwards, where he specializes in business bankruptcy, financial restructuring and business transactions, as well as commercial real estate transactions. Friedlander and Goldberg will leverage their business and legal experience, passion for pluralistic Jewish education, and creative spirit, as they contribute to our strategic growth initiatives and to the ongoing governance of the college.

Learn more...

Jesse Friedlander and
Michael Goldberg

Welcome Home: Marsha Slotnick Returns as Donor Engagement Specialist

By wise tradition, Jews do not say, “Goodbye,” but instead, “L’hitraot”, or, “Until we meet again.” We at Hebrew College are thrilled to welcome back our new Donor Engagement Specialist, Marsha Katz Slotnick, in a role that is more like a homecoming than a new beginning. Marsha returns to Hebrew College with experience from a rich and accomplished career, having served in senior fundraising roles as the New England Regional Director for the Jewish Theological Seminary and Campaign Director for Boston’s Hebrew SeniorLife. “I’ve only worked for institutions I believe in,” she explains. “If I don’t believe in the mission, I can’t do the work. And I’ve always believed in Hebrew College.”

SEVENTY FACES OF TORAH

All the Days and All the Nights

Parshat Va’ethanan comes at a specific time in our calendar: it is always read on Shabbat Nachamu, the first of seven shabbatot (and special Haftarah readings) between Tisha B’Av—the lowest point of the Jewish year—and Rosh Hashanah, a new beginning. These “shabbatot of consolation” raise questions about what it means to live our days well, and the role of memory and community in our relationships. This is one meaning of being a Jew: to constantly grapple with a tradition that is rooted firmly in the past, yet still seeks to make meaning in the present and leave legacies for the future.

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TAMID OF HEBREW COLLEGE: YOUR HOME FOR ADULT LEARNING
Explore Immigration Through a Jewish Lens

With immigration issues in the daily headlines, there’s no better time to visit Phoenix, Tucson, and Nogales, Arizona, and meet with organizations and people affected by and enforcing the flow of migrants from Mexico to the United States.

Join Tamid of Hebrew College and Tzedek America for a powerful Jewish learning trip to Arizona from Nov. 10-13, 2025, to explore immigration through stories, justice work, and ethical reflection. Read more about the trip in JewishBoston. (Photo: Linda Johnsonbaugh/iStock, courtesy of JewishBoston.com)

TALMUD FOR TEENS

Hebrew College Teen Beit Midrash Information Sessions

August 13, 20, 26, & Sept. 3 | 8-9 PM | Zoom

Register for an information session to learn more about Hebrew College Teen Beit Midrash, where teens tackle big questions like justice, decision making & personal responsibility.

Learn more & register

SHARED CAMPUS PARTNERSHIP EXPERIENCE

RUACH + The Path LAByrinth

Monday, August 25 | 11 AM-5:30 PM | Hebrew College

To welcome Elul, join Hebrew College campus partner RUACH for grounding movement and meditation experiences integrated with the College's current outdoor LAByrinth art exhibit.

Learn more & RSVP

ELUL CONCERT, WORKSHOPS & TEFILLAH

Musician/Composer/Paytan Roni Ish-Ran in Residence for Elul

September 2-12 | Hebrew College

Three exciting programs with Hazan/Paytan Roni Ish-Ran during his Hebrew College residency.

Thursday, Sept. 4: Soul Sounds concert with Roni Ish-Ran & Friends

Sept. 3 & 10: Workshops on the music and language of Selihot

Sept. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: Pray with the Hebrew College community as Roni Ish-Ran leads Sephardic Selihot services during the first two weeks of Elul

Learn more & RSVP

TESHUVAH WORKSHOP

Kirva and Hebrew College

Mondays, September 8 & 29 | 6:30-9:30 PM | Hebrew College

Kirva and Hebrew College are partnering to offer an in-person Teshuvah Workshop for space to reflect, reconnect, and recommit during the month of Elul.

Learn more & RSVP

ART EXHIBIT OPENING

Hidden Portals: The Sefirot Series by Harel Kedem

Thursday, September 11 | 5-7 PM | Hebrew College

Celebrate the opening of our fall art exhibit featuring a collection of paintings by Israeli-born artist Harel Kedem that explores how feeling and intellect intersect in language and art.

Learn more & RSVP

BOOK TALK WITH RABBI ANGELA BUCHDAHL

Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging

Sunday, October 26 | 6:30-8:30 PM | Hebrew College

Rabbi Buchdahl, rabbi at Central Synagogue in New York City, will discuss her powerful new memoir in conversation with Jewish Women's Archive CEO Dr. Judith Rosenbaum. Co-sponsored by Hebrew College and shared campus partner Jewish Women’s Archive.

Learn more

RABBINICAL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 2025

For Prospective Rabbinical Students

In-person: Monday, Nov. 17 | 8 AM-5 PM | Hebrew College

Virtual: Sunday, December 7 | 2-5 PM | Zoom

Join us for an in-person or virtual Ta Sh’ma (Come & Hear) to experience Hebrew College’s vibrant, pluralistic rabbinical program.

Learn more & RSVP

Please help open the doors of Jewish learning to students of all backgrounds and ages—and join Hebrew College in making our lives more meaningful, our communities more vibrant, and our world more whole. Your gift of any amount will make a real difference.

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