April 19, 2024 | 11 Nisan 5784
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Shalom, Hebrew College alumni!
This is such a difficult moment for the Jewish people. The situation in Israel is dangerous and seems intractable, antisemitism in America is rising, and the conflict between Jews seems to grow. I am looking for hope wherever I can find it, and one of the ways I do find it is in community. I have the great pleasure of teaching many Hebrew College alumni in my adult learning classes and after each class I feel a sense of connectedness, and with that a small sense of hope that we will see this moment through.
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I encourage everyone to stay connected to Hebrew College, please let us know how you are doing, please stay in community with us. If there is any moment which calls us to keep faith and keep hope in a brighter tomorrow it is this moment of Pesach. L’shanah ha-bah-ah B’yerushalyim! [Next year in Jerusalem],
Rabbi Dan Judson, PhD
Provost, Hebrew College
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HC Rabbinical Alum Included Among Spring Gala Honorees
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On May 9, Hebrew College will gather on our shared campus for the Spring Gala, "Branching Out. Blossoming Together" to celebrate our vibrant community, the collective effort that has brought Hebrew College to this season, and the stakeholders who ensure our work will stay creative, meaningful, and accessible into the future.
Among this year's honorees is Hebrew College Rabbinical School alum Rabbi Adina Allen, '14, Founder of Jewish Studio Project. We are particularly proud to honor Adina just a month before the release of her book, The Place of All Possibility, which “reframe[s] all of Torah as a guidebook to creativity.” Jewish Studio Project is expanding to Boston in the second half of 2024, when a programming partnership with JSP and Hebrew College will renew Adina’s connection with our community.
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Registration is available, along with tribute and sponsorship opportunities, on the gala event page.
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Legacy Unveiled: Alum Artwork Showcased in Spring Exhibit
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Hebrew College's spring art exhibit, “Legacy: A Woman of Two Worlds,” showcases the work of artist Frances Miller, z''l, an alumna of Hebrew College's Prozdor and BA programs, and later, the Massachusetts College of Art. The art exhibit, running until June 18, invites visitors to explore the creativity of an artist who built a life immersed in the worlds of Orthodox Judaism and modern art.
Born in Warsaw in 1921 and raised in Boston, an upbringing steeped in tradition laid the foundation for Frances Miller’s art, which flourished against the backdrop of her Jewish identity. Despite the apparent dichotomy, she remained steadfast in her commitment to Jewish observance while embracing the creative freedom of the modern art scene. From vibrant interpretations of biblical narratives to abstract explorations of faith and identity, infused with a distinctive style characterized by bold brush strokes and layered colors, Miller’s oeuvre reflects the complex interplay between her Judaism and her artistic and humanist sensibilities. Pieces such as “Joseph” and “Jacob/Israel Wrestling with the Angel” resonate with readily-apparent Jewish meaning, while other works such as “Blessing of the New Moon” evoke similarly profound themes from a more spiritually diffuse perspective.
Read more
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"Blessings of the New Moon" (top), "Family" (bottom), by Frances Miller. Showing in the exhibit, through June 18
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| From Generation to Generation: Alum Funds Scholarship
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Myra Snyder, Me’ah ‘97, MAJS ‘01, remembers the feeling of belonging she found through her studies at Hebrew College: “I decided to walk into Hebrew College back when it was in Brookline to find out what they had to offer a person like me who had no previous experience in Judaic studies except Me’ah. I felt like I was home. It was suggested that I begin my journey with one course. Not long after that I entered the master’s program. I learned Hebrew from scratch and felt a true sense of accomplishment when I wrote and delivered my thesis! Now, I want to give back through an opportunity for young people to open themselves up to study.”
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| Myra Snyder, MAJS '01, Me'ah '97 and scholarship recipients
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Sustaining Gratitude from a Recent Alum
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“Sometime in the last year I became a Hebrew College sustainer, or monthly donor. Hebrew College has been so impactful for me, I feel indebted to this place where I learned to embrace who I am, and more than that, I got to embrace how who I am is interconnected with what I want to do in the world. Hebrew College prepared me to do the work I want to do in the world. I don’t think I would have fallen in love with the rabbinate in quite the way I did at any other place."
Read our interview with Rabbi Yael Werber '21
Become a Hebrew College Sustainer
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Empower Lay Leaders with a Desire to Teach
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The MaTaRoT Center for Jewish Professional Learning & Leadership is still accepting applicants for Bonim Beyachad, a 10-month cohort-based fellowship designed to support adults who are new to teaching in part-time and supplemental Jewish educational settings. The fellowship provides in-person and virtual professional development in pedagogy, content, and classroom management for new teachers.
Do you know someone in your professional or personal life who would benefit from this program? Nominate a candidate, or email Robin Kahn (rkahn@hebrewcollege.edu), fellowship director, to learn more.
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We express our gratitude to HC Alum Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz, Prozdor '55, BJEd '59, who recently traveled to Israel for a weeklong goodwill mission sponsored by the Israel Law Center, visiting sites near the Gaza Border that were impacted by the October 7 attacks.
We send hearty mazel tovs to:
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Yitzie, Prozdor '54, BJEd '58, and Shoshanah Zarrit, MJLS '17, on the birth of their grandchild. The Zarrit's four-generations-and counting connection with Hebrew College was covered on the HC blog.
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Mildred (“Millie”) Levitt `49 and her daughter Sheryl Schwartz `78, on the birth of their new great-grandson/grandson, Benjamin. Millie and Sheryl, whose Jewish learning followed parallel paths through Hebrew College a generation apart, were recent featured alongside Benjamin on the HC blog.
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We mourn the loss of Norman Finkelstein on January 5, 2024. Husband of Rosalind and father of Jeff, Rob, and Risa, Norm was a beloved, admired, and highly respected Prozdor teacher for decades and a beloved member of our community.
Our deepest condolences to Professor Ilan Troen Prozdor Prozdor '58, BA '62 , whose daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Shlomi Mathias of blessed memory, were killed in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
We remember Rabbi Ellen Bernstein MAJS '06, the birthmother of Jewish environmentalism. Join us on April 28 to honor her legacy.
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Hebrew College Spring Gala 2024
Thursday, May 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Honoring Jehuda Reinharz, Rabbi Adina Allen, David Hoffman. We invite you to submit a tribute to a beloved teacher, a loved one, or our honorees by May 1.
Hebrew College
Registration & Tributes
Rabbi Ellen Bernstein z''l & The Song of Songs: Toward a Holy Ecology
Sunday, April 28 | 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. | Zoom
Honor Rabbi Ellen Bernstein’s, of blessed memory, legacy, and reflect on the insightful teachings in her final published work, Toward a Holy Ecology: Reading the Songs of Songs in the Age of Climate Crisis.
Sponsored by Hebrew College, Aleph, and B’nai Or of Boston
Learn more
Spring Art Exhibit, “Legacy: A Woman of Two Worlds”
April 8–June 18
Hebrew College’s spring art exhibition, “Legacy: A Woman of Two Worlds,” featuring works by artist Frances Miller.
Hebrew College Mascott Beit Midrash
Learn more & visit
Celebration of Adult Learning
Wednesday, May 1 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Festive dessert reception to celebrate milestones of adult learners.
Hebrew College Musicant Cohen Center for Performing Arts
Learn more & RSVP
May Soul Sounds Concert
Until Love Pleases: Piyutim of Shir HaShirim and Pesah
Sunday, May 5 | 7-8:30 p.m.
Jerusalem-born guitarist and composer Ira Klein combines his love of traditional Jewish music and contemporary music to create a cutting-edge performance combining music, dance, and visuals, all inspired by the mysterious 13th-century Catalan Mahzor manuscript.
Hebrew College Musicant Cohen Center for Performing Arts
Learn more & purchase tickets
Hebrew College Commencement & Ordination 2024
Sunday, June 2 | Commencement: 12-1 p.m. | Ordination: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Celebrate our graduates. Honorary degree recipients: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, and Parker J. Palmer.
Hebrew College
Learn more
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