This November 8-18, journey with Hebrew College on an unforgettable travel-learning trip, Between Rome and Jerusalem: An Inspiration Tour of Ancient and Contemporary Italy and its Jewish History, exploring Italy’s significant cultural legacy and distinct Jewish history. From the canals and historic ghetto of Venice to Renaissance Florence and the eternal grandeur of Rome, this immersive experience blends breathtaking landscapes, world-class art, and meaningful encounters with Jewish communities past and present. Walk through synagogues and ancient ghettos, stand before Michelangelo’s masterpieces, tour Pompeii and the Vatican, celebrate Shabbat with the Jewish community of Rome, and reflect at the Arch of Titus on the enduring relationship between Rome and Jerusalem. Led by Rabbi Dr. Leonard Gordon and Professor Jeffrey Woolf, this trip offers intellectual depth, spiritual resonance, and the joy of discovering Italy through a uniquely Jewish lens. 

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I was drawn to Hebrew College for its pluralism. Now, nearly 13 years into serving a congregation, I draw constantly on the training and resources I received there — learning how to hold a diverse and pluralistic community together. This has never felt more urgent. Among the fault lines dividing the today's Jewish world, none runs deeper than Israel and Palestine. Our small but significant Listening Project program has its roots at Hebrew College and its branches in the living reality of Jewish community. (Explore the Listening Project in the excerpt below from the April 7, 2026 issue of eJewish Philanthropy.)

The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS, affectionately called “Jay Cogs”), nestled in the natural beauty of rural, mountainous Vermont, has members with long-held views that span a remarkably broad spectrum of beliefs on Israel and Palestine. 

Since the horrific events of Oct. 7, 2023 in Israel and the devastating war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza that followed, as the only synagogue in town — and with emotions running as high as ever — our leadership has fielded the passionate but often conflicting imperatives and needs of our diverse membership, challenged to find a way to respond with sensitivity and prudence. The initiative that helped to stabilize our fragile synagogue ecosystem was the Listening Project, a series of one-on-one and group courageous conversations to honor the sacred act of listening to one another across our differences. 

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My most recent path-finding adventure brought me to the Hiddush Fellowship, an avenue perfectly built for someone like me who is exploring possibilities and imagining my future. The fellowship, operated by Hebrew College, is a cohort of “emerging Jewish leaders”, older college students and recent college graduates who find meaning in Jewish life and learning. My involvement came from a conversation with my rabbi late one Tuesday evening that left five words echoing in my head: “You’d be a good rabbi.” I've heard this from my parents, co-workers, and community members, but I usually dismissed it as an offhand compliment. Something about that Tuesday night made me finally stop and think about exploring the path to the rabbinate.

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After the death of Nadav and Aviyu, we do not hear of Aaron’s sons again until the beginning of this week’s parasha, Achrei-Mot, when we read that “G?d spoke to Moshe after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died through their drawing close before G?d.” (Leviticus 16:1). In detail, the Torah describes the sacrificial process the grieving father Aaron must do to “make expiation” for himself, his household, and all of Israel so as not to be punished for their sins with death (Lev 16:7). The text carefully lays out what will become the basis for the Avodah Service of Yom Kippur — our day of teshuvah, of Divine At-One-Ment (atonement).

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