Hebrew College Koleinu: Release of the Hostages, Norwegian Alumnus, Jewish Travel Experiences and More

October 17, 2025 | 25 Tishrei 5786

Koleinu |our voice|

Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world.

Parashat Vayechi | Candlelighting 5:21 PM EST

Hebrew College joins the rest of the Jewish world in expressing deep relief and great joy at the return of all the hostages to their families, friends, and communities. We celebrate the return of the living hostages, knowing that this marks the beginning of a long and difficult healing process for them and everyone who loves them. We also hold in our hearts the friends and families of the deceased hostages, who can now finally give their loved ones a proper burial.

Rabbinical students danced in the courtyard on Monday
to celebrate the end of Sukkot (Hoshana Rabbah).

Hoshana Rabbah Kavannah

By Rabbi Daniel Klein `10, MJED`10, Dean of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College

[Rabbi Klein shared these remarks with students on Monday for Hoshana Rabbah.]

Hoshana Rabbah, the service on the final day of Sukkot, is about what we bring from this holiday season into our embodied lives—how we are going to manifest the inner transformation through concrete deeds in the world. This is reflected in the liturgical minhagim, conventions, of Hoshana Rabbah, as they mingle chol, moed, and Yamim Noraim nusachot — weekday, festival, and high holiday melodies—together, as if to remind us they also must come together in our lives.

I find it very moving that of all the days of the High Holidays, we spend Hoshana Rabbah together as a community. We will spend more time in the presence of the people here this coming year than many other people in our lives. These are the people we spend our days with. It is the people in this room who will witness, receive, and support what we have strived for and achieved during these fall chagim.

Learn more about Hebrew College’s MJED and graduate certificate programs for Jewish educators.

TAMID OF HEBREW COLLEGE TRAVEL LEARNING

Morocco Trip Information Session

Each year, Tamid of Hebrew College offers enriching travel learning experiences in the United States and abroad. This spring, join us for our international journey to Morocco April 23-May 4, 2026. Visit Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Mechnes, and Marrakesh, with day trips to the Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains. Experience the hospitality of the warm and welcoming Jewish community, and meet journalists, artists, musicians, and local Muslim students exploring the Jewish roots of their own country. Learn more at our information session next Tuesday, October 19 from 1-2 PM where you will meet our Tour Operator from Keshet and our Tour Educator and Tamid faculty member, Rabbi Leonard Gordon.

Miller Center Dignity Project Fall Retreat

Just a few weeks ago, the 2025–26 Dignity Fellowship launched with a vibrant opening retreat at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, Massachusetts. Nineteen high school students from across Greater Boston came together to begin a journey of learning, growth, and connection. Over the course of the retreat our Dignity Project Fellows built community, explored embodied practices from diverse spiritual traditions, and shared plenty of laughter and joy. This gathering was just the beginning of a year devoted to interreligious dialogue, deep listening, and building bridges across lines of difference.

On September 11, Hebrew College celebrated the premiere of our fall art exhibit "The Sefirot Series by Harel Kedem". Kedem's art is inspired by and represents the sefirot, kabbalistic attributes of God — each painting is composed from the Hebrew letters of a particular sefirah, layering the characters to create images that are both text and abstraction. Pictured left: Hebrew College Arts Committee members with artist Harel Kedem and (center) Rabbi Or Rose who spoke at the event; right: attendees view the exhibit.) The exhibit runs through December 19, 2025 in Hebrew College's Mark E. Atkins & Family Atrium.

Pardes Appoints HC Alumna as Chair of Israel Board

Dammara Markowitz (right), 2018 alumna of Hebrew College with a Master’s in Jewish Education (MJED) and Pardes Day School Educators Programs, was appointed Chair of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies Israel Board. The announcement, made on September 15, 2025, cites her appointment as marking “a new phase of global vision, rising leadership, and renewed investment in the future of Jewish learning.” Markowitz is the youngest person to hold this position, “representing a new generation of Jewish leadership: embracing innovation while rooted in tradition, and committed to building a Jewish future grounded in deep learning and engagement,” according to the press release.

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

TAMID ADULT LEARNING

Jewish Morocco Info Session

Sunday October 19 | 1-2 PM ET | Zoom

Join us for a live information session about Tamid of Hebrew College’s adult learning travel tour to Jewish Morocco. Meet our Tour Operator from Keshet and our Tour Educator and Tamid faculty member, Rabbi Leonard Gordon. This session will be recorded and distributed to all registrants.

Learn more & Register

GROW Session: Why Jews Don’t Talk About God and Why They Should: God and Jewish Philosophy

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 12-1 PM EST/9-10 AM PST | Zoom

For our November program in Hebrew College Adult Learning’s free, monthly GROW series, we dive into why Jews don’t like to talk about God with instructor Steven Kepnes, Ph.D.

Learn more & Register

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

SOLD OUT Rabbi Buchdahl in Conversation with Dr. Judith Rosenbaum
Sunday, October 26 | 7-8:30 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 & join the wait list

POETRY NIGHTS

Poetry and Song as Midrash in Motion

Tuesday, October 28 | 7-8:30 PM | Hebrew College

An evening of poetry featuring works by Hebrew College students and faculty. Featured poets include teachers Rabbi Shani Rosenbaum and Rav Rachel Adelman and rabbinical students Risa Dunbar, Marni Loffman, and Yitzi Gittlesohn.

Learn more & RSVP

Poetry Night with Matthew Lippman

Sunday, December 2 | 7-8:30 PM | Hebrew College

A second evening of poetry featuring poet Matthew Lippman, author of eight poetry collections including his most recent, King of the Jews (Ben Yehuda Press 2025).

Learn more & RSVP

RABBINICAL SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 2025

For Prospective Rabbinical Students

In-person: Monday, November 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

SOUL SOUNDS CONCERT

Soul Sounds November: "Field Work"

Thursday, November 20 | 7-8:30 PM | Hebrew College

Join us for “Field Work,” an emerging dance project by movement artist and rabbinical student Hadar Ahuvia. She will be joined by artists Jesse Zaritt and Bria Bacon.

Learn more & RSVP

NEW! FILM SCREENING

"Janis Ian: Breaking Silence"

Wednesday, December 3 | 6:30-8:30 PM | College Corner Theater

Join Hebrew College campus partners Keshet and The Jewish Women’s Archive for a special screening of "Janis Ian: Breaking Silence," a new documentary that chronicles the singer-songwriter’s multi-decade career producing work celebrates the humanity we share across lines of difference.

Learn more & purchase tickets

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Join our sustainers today. Please contact development@hebrewcollege.edu with any questions.

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