The latest cohort of the Schusterman Rabbinical Fellowship has just been announced! This is the third group of outstanding rabbinical students from HUC and JTS who have been selected to participate in this groundbreaking, collaborative program. Over the next two years, the students will learn about ways to create a more welcoming, forward-thinking Jewish community and will sharpen their management and leadership skills.
Read all about the latest cohort here and here.
(In case you missed it, take a moment to meet our Aleph cohort and learn more about the members of our Bet cohort.)
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
SR Fellow to be honored by Federation of Rockland County
Jesse Olitzky, a JTS student who is a members of the Fellowship's Aleph cohort, will be honored this Sunday by the Jewish Federation of Rockland County for his outstanding work as an educator. Way to go Jesse!
Getting Rid of the "Shoulds"...
Jason Fruithandler, a student at JTS, offered this reflection about the retreat for the Aleph cohort of the Fellowship that concluded today:
At the retreat, we were asked to think about our vision for the Jewish world and part of mine was to remove the word "should" form our vocabulary. Too often I find myself slipping into the mindset of looking at other Jews as what they should be. It doesn't permit me to see who they are. Worse, it creates expectations that will never be met or, will be met but only out of guilt. However, when I am able to switch the mode of thinking from "should" to "can" I am able to see people for who they are. Then my job is to show what opportunities and possibilities Judaism offer. When my vocabulary switches I am able to present an exciting form of Judaism and it becomes the congregant's option to take part in the meaningful Jewish life I am describing. My responsibility becomes crafting a picture, an image, an idea of how to live a Jewish life that is full of depth, seriousness, and subtlety. My job becomes creating experiences that act as a window into the kind of experiences that make Judaism inspiring to me. My vision for the Jewish people is one in which we approach our lives as Jews with the mindset of "what can be" rather than a mindset of "what should be."
At the retreat, we were asked to think about our vision for the Jewish world and part of mine was to remove the word "should" form our vocabulary. Too often I find myself slipping into the mindset of looking at other Jews as what they should be. It doesn't permit me to see who they are. Worse, it creates expectations that will never be met or, will be met but only out of guilt. However, when I am able to switch the mode of thinking from "should" to "can" I am able to see people for who they are. Then my job is to show what opportunities and possibilities Judaism offer. When my vocabulary switches I am able to present an exciting form of Judaism and it becomes the congregant's option to take part in the meaningful Jewish life I am describing. My responsibility becomes crafting a picture, an image, an idea of how to live a Jewish life that is full of depth, seriousness, and subtlety. My job becomes creating experiences that act as a window into the kind of experiences that make Judaism inspiring to me. My vision for the Jewish people is one in which we approach our lives as Jews with the mindset of "what can be" rather than a mindset of "what should be."
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Learning from Those in the Field
The first cohort of Schusterman Rabbinical Fellows is currently participating in a retreat about life after seminary. The following is a reflection from one fellow, Michael Fel, a student at JTS:
For the past few years, I’ve spent considerable time learning rabbinic texts, perfecting my prayer leading skills and how to engage the Jewish people. While I’ve had some practical rabbinic seminars and sermon writing courses, I’ve actually never learned what rabbis do on a day to day basis. Last night, we had the chance to hear the stories of three Rabbis: Moishe Steigmann of the Westchester Jewish Center, Sari Laufer of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Neil Tow from the Glen Rock Jewish Center. Hearing their personal stories and how they handled balancing their personal and public life, being the new rabbi and how to bring your fulll self to the pulpit will help me avoid the same pitfalls they experienced during their first years. A very worth while 2+ hour session!
For the past few years, I’ve spent considerable time learning rabbinic texts, perfecting my prayer leading skills and how to engage the Jewish people. While I’ve had some practical rabbinic seminars and sermon writing courses, I’ve actually never learned what rabbis do on a day to day basis. Last night, we had the chance to hear the stories of three Rabbis: Moishe Steigmann of the Westchester Jewish Center, Sari Laufer of Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Neil Tow from the Glen Rock Jewish Center. Hearing their personal stories and how they handled balancing their personal and public life, being the new rabbi and how to bring your fulll self to the pulpit will help me avoid the same pitfalls they experienced during their first years. A very worth while 2+ hour session!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)