Hebrew College Koleinu: Groundbreaking Scholarship Gift, Travel to Jewish Morocco and more

September 4, 2025 | 11 Elul 5785

Koleinu |our voice|

Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world.

Parashat Ki Teitzei | Candlelighting 6:52 PM EST

HEBREW COLLEGE RECEIVES $500,000 SCHOLARSHIP GIFT

Schechters Endow Groundbreaking New Scholarship

Susan Schechter’s growing connection to Hebrew College has inspired a powerful investment in the future of Jewish leadership. She and her husband, Bob Schechter (pictured above with Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld), have seeded a scholarship fund with a $500,000 gift to Hebrew College to offset the cost of tuition, housing, and food for rabbinical school students. In honor of the teacher and leader who has shaped so much of Susan’s Jewish learning and inspired her involvement in the leadership of the college, recipients will be known as “Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld Scholars,” named for the President of Hebrew College.

“For us, paying for rabbinical education is a way to support the work that Hebrew College rabbis do when they get out in the world. This is more critical now than ever before, not only for the work they do, but for what they represent as Jews in the world,” says Susan. “Our hope is that this gift will also inspire others to match our support and help the College’s endowment grow,” adds Bob.

SEVENTY FACES OF TORAH

Within Our Torah and Ourselves

Parashat Ki Teitzei begins by addressing the ancient Israelites’ warriors, instructing them in very specific matters of battlefield-conduct: how to treat women whom their forces have taken captive in the context of war. The Torah here appears to condone sexual violence amidst the inherent violence and absent empathy of war. Reading these verses, I unfortunately cannot help but be reminded of contemporary events; the sum total of trauma and grief is more than can be expressed. As this destruction continues to harden hearts, it does, I admit, seem more far-fetched and hopeless to imagine a future beyond this totality of brokenness. What does it mean to see the most painful realities of our world—war, famine, killing of innocents, unrelenting violence—within our Torah and ourselves, while we carry its teachings of peace, compassion, and shared humanity alongside us as well?

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HEBREW COLLEGE RABBINICAL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES 2025
For Prospective Rabbinical Students

Have you or someone you know thought about becoming a rabbi? Join us for Ta Sh’ma (Come & Hear), Hebrew College's Fall Open Houses, to experience the vibrant pluralistic communities of our pioneering rabbinical program. Take this opportunity to learn, pray and grow with our students and faculty and learn about our alumni's creative and diverse rabbinates.

In-person: Monday, Nov. 17 | 8 AM-5 PM | Hebrew College
Virtual: Sunday, December 7 | 2-5 PM | Zoom

Learn more & RSVP

ELUL WORKSHOPS & TEFILLAH

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

Thru September 12 | Hebrew College

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

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

Sept. 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

Reflect, reconnect, and recommit during the month of Elul at the Kirva and Hebrew College in-person Teshuvah Workshop.

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 Israel-raised, New England-based artist Harel Kedem that explores how feeling and intellect intersect in language and art.

Learn more & RSVP

TAMID ADULT LEARNING

GROW Session: The Audacity of Job: Rethinking Faith in the Face of Suffering

Wednesday, September 17 | 12-1 PM | Zoom

GROW, Hebrew College adult learning’s free monthly series, is back for the new academic year. Join us to dive into the story of Job with instructor Adriane Leveen, PhD.

Learn more & RSVP

ELUL YITZKOR PROGRAM

Remembering Loved Ones Who Died by Suicide

Sunday, September 28 | 6:30-7 PM | Zoom

Hebrew College is proud to co-sponsor Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s virtual Yitzkor moment and gentle remembrance of those who have died by suicide.

Learn more & RSVP

TAMID ADULT LEARNING

GROW Session: Holy Humor

Thursday, October 9 | 12-1 PM | Zoom

Explore the belief that tradition paired with humor can offer opportunities for spiritual and religious growth with instructor rafa kern.

Learn more & RSVP

BOOK TALKS WITH RABBI ANGELA BUCHDAHL

President Anisfeld to Join Rabbi Buchdahl Book Event with Stephen Colbert

Tuesday, October 21 | 8-9 PM | Temple Emanu-El, NYC or Online

Rabbi Buchdahl discusses her new memoir, "Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging", with "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert. She will be joined by President Anisfeld and three other friends/family members. Learn more & RSVP

Rabbi Buchdahl in Conversation with Dr. Judith Rosenbaum
Sunday, October 26 | 6:30-8:30 PM | Hebrew College

Rabbi Buchdahl discusses her new memoir with Jewish Women's Archive CEO Dr. Judith Rosenbaum. Co-sponsored by Hebrew College and shared campus partner Jewish Women’s Archive. Learn more & RSVP

SUPPORT JEWISH LEARNING & LEADERSHIP IN OUR INTERCONNECTED WORLD

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. Make a gift.

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