SRF Gimmel Group Meets for First Time

David Spinrad, a third-year rabbinical student at HUC-Cincinnati and a member of the Gimmel cohort, shared these thoughts about the recent first gathering of his group:

"The hopefulness I felt while applying for the Schusterman Rabbincal Fellowship was replaced by the excitement of being selected as one of the eight recipients of the fellowship for 2010-2012. The excitement of being chosen was soon replaced by a surge of eager anticipation as I looked forward to meeting my fellow students and colleagues of Kvutzah Gimmel. After spending our first retreat together, after our first sessions of learning and getting a sense of the Jewish landscape and of the shape and scope of our fellowship, I am filled with a deep knowing that this experience and the learning opportunities I will be exposed to will shape my rabbinate and help me to serve the Jewish people with passion, commitment and love.

I'm getting a sense of how special an this opportunity is, and I intend to make the most of it by asking questions from our teachers and guides and by thinking deeply about the issues that face our collective Jewish future. I am most appreciative of the generosity of the Schusterman Foundation and thank Mrs. Lynn Schusterman for her contributions to the Jewish people."