ROSH CHODESH NISSAN

Receiving and Responding to the Gift of Freedom 

By Rabbi Daniel Klein, Dean of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College

The Exodus story, which we will retell in a few short weeks at our Passover seders, is not a celebration of human opposition to and triumph over tyranny. Sure, there is the heroic defiance of Shifra and Puah, the midwives who refuse to carry out Pharoah’s order to kill the male children born to Israelite mothers, and a few other noteworthy examples. But overall, human beings do precious little in the text of the Torah to bring about the Israelites’ redemption from slavery. Instead, the Exodus is a story of the Israelites receiving God’s unearned gift of freedom when it seemed least likely, if not impossible. It might seem counterintuitive to highlight human passivity in the face of injustice at a time when we desperately need human beings to act against tyranny and oppression, but for the work ahead to be enduring, I think we also need the Passover story.  

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Blessing the Work of Our Hands

By Jayce Koester, Hebrew College Rabbinical Student

My spouse and I are currently preparing for a big move in a few short months. This will be our fourth move in four years, and the question “What makes a home?” has been a constant companion amidst the waves of excitement, stress, and trepidation. Building a new home, even with people you already love and are in a deep relationship with, is no small task.

Unsurprisingly, the questions of home and how to build one have been with us since the beginning of our collective story. This week’s Torah portion, Pekudei begins by saying:

אֵ֣לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֤י הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן הָעֵדֻ֔ת
These are accountings of the dwelling-place, the dwelling-place of the testimony (Ex 38:21).

We are entering the end of our time at Sinai, about to face the desert, and we need to finish the work of building G1d’s home amongst the Jewish people. This is a heavy and crucial step, and we cannot navigate the desert without a home for G1d to dwell amongst us. Even in a state of wandering, the question of what makes a home is central.

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JOIN US ON MAY 1, 2025

Hebrew College Spring Gala & Award Recipients

On Thursday, May 1, students, leaders, alumni, supporters, and friends will gather for Hebrew College's 2025 Spring Gala, “Braiding Hope”, to recognize the dedication and passion that transform our community into a vibrant hub of Jewish learning, leadership, and innovation. 

In addition to an evening of music, learning, noshing, and sipping, we will celebrate the gala's award recipients:

Together, these honorees represent the best of Hebrew College, braiding their conviction, creativity, and compassion into an enduring legacy of hope. Please join us!

HEBREW COLLEGE ALUMNI

Rabbi as...

Educator, author, first responder, climate movement strengthener, artist, musician, activist, organizer, poet, professor, pastoral caregiver, facilitator, melody weaver, counselor, healer, caretaker, spiritual guide, community builder, prayer leader, farmer, host, Eved Hashem, Klezmer fiddler, translator, peacemaker, darshan, midwife, officiant, fundraiser, preacher...

When we asked our rabbinical alumni to describe their rabbinates, their responses were a reminder of the breadth and depth of rabbinic work — and how they each have taken their Hebrew College education out into the world to create a rabbinate that reflects their unique passions and gifts. Across the board, their descriptions reflect deep creativity, commitment, love of Torah, social action, and innovative spiritual and prayer leadership.

Learn more... | Alumni: Tell us about your rabbinate

Hebrew College is reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world, making our lives more meaningful, our communities more vibrant, and our world more whole.