The HUC-JIR/Jerusalem campus is pleased to announce the launch of the HUC-JIR website – in Hebrew. The Hebrew website is up-to-date and includes descriptions of new and ongoing programs, contact information for our staff, new publications and articles, upcoming events, information about our synagogue services, and more. We are proud to showcase the innovative, exciting, and important activities taking place on our Jerusalem campus. http://huc.edu/israel
The School of Graduate Studies and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives are proud to announce The American Jewish Experience Fellowship for Doctoral Study on the Cincinnati campus of HUC-JIR. The fellowship will be awarded to an incoming student who has demonstrated high academic competence in an area of Jewish Studies or American History. The purpose of the fellowship is to enable an outstanding graduate student to pursue a Ph.D. in the American Jewish Experience at HUC-JIR, School of Graduate Studies while utilizing the world-renowned collection of The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
The Louchheim School of Judaic Studies provides a broad range of courses taught by our faculty for undergraduate students at our partner and neighboring institution, the University of Southern California.
- The Louchheim School of Judaic Studies faculty hosted Professor Dr. Michael Hagemeister of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, on Monday, September 12 at HUC-JIR/Los Angeles. Dr. Hagemeister shared his research on Sergei Nilus, the first publisher of the Russian anti-Semitic treatise The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and the impact of the Protocols on the history of anti-Semitism.
- The Louchheim School of Judaic Studies is hosting an event in conjunction with the Foundation for Jewish Culture and Grand Performances. Dr. Galeet Dardashti will perform Monajat (Fervent Prayer), which is inspired by the poetic prayers of Selihot, recited during the month preceding Jewish New Year as means of deep reflection and spiritual preparation. The next day, on Monday, September 26, she will give a lecture at USC called "Sing Us a Mawal: The Politics of Culture Brokering Palestinian-Israeli Musicians in Israel."
The Adult Interfaith Academy is pleased to offer Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, a course taught by HUC-JIR graduate student Will Dilbeck, throughout Fall 2011. Members of the Cincinnati community are invited to join this introductory class to learn Biblical Hebrew, starting with the alphabet. The course is offered on Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Klau Library at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati.
The Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology announces the publication of two new final excavation reports:
- Rachel Ben-Dov's Dan III - Avraham Biran Excavations 1966-1999: The Late Bronze Age: Rachel Ben-Dov's discusses the Late Bronze Age (1500-1200 BCE) remains at the crucial site of Tel Dan, excavated by Avraham Biran from 1966 to 1999.
- Yifat Thareani's Tel Aroer: The Iron Age Caravan Town and the Hellenistic-Early Roman Settlement – The Avraham Biran (1975-1982) and Rudolf Cohen (1975-1976) Excavations: Tel Aroer is an archaeological site in the Negev, located not far from Dimona. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology, under the direction of Avraham Biran, uncovered remains from the Iron Age and Roman periods.
On Thursday, September 8, the HUC-UC Ethics Center and Common Cause Ohio hosted the Ohio Redistricting Forum at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati. Every ten years, following the completion of the United States Census, Ohio's state and federal political districts are re-drawn. Districts must be adjusted to account for changes in population so that districts are equal in size. The forum highlighted potential opportunities and threats in the 2011 Ohio redistricting process, showcased maps from the Draw the Line Ohio Redistricting Competition, and set the stage for future redistricting reform efforts.
Rabbi Dr. Dalia Marx, Assistant Professor of Liturgy and Midrash, writes, "It is very hard to say you are sorry—and even harder to really mean it. It is not any easier to truly forgive. A painful abyss exists between the offender and the offended—an alienated world in which each side must deal alone with his/her own perception of an unfortunate encounter. And the graver the injury, the more acute the need for forgiveness. If we do not take responsibility for our misdeeds, we obviate their moral significance. As we approach the Day of Atonement, we can take three paths to forgiveness: focusing on the injured, on the injurer, or—ideally and most challenging—on the relationship between them."
Rabbi Marci Bellows (HUC-JIR/NY '04) writes, "So many of us carry longstanding guilt, an abiding sense of blame, or feelings of regret that never fade. We remember relationships that ended without explanation, times we should have helped a needy relative or friend, or times we let ourselves down. I should have….I could have….It would have been so much better if I…., and on and on…Often, during the Hebrew month of Elul, and then during the High Holy Days, we focus much on forgiveness between ourselves and others, and between ourselves and God. These are so very important to the spirit of the day, and taking part in acts of teshuvah, repentance, do indeed help us along the path towards healing and a better New Year. Yet, how often do we get to spend time on forgiving ourselves?"
Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Ph.D., Editor of Tzeh U'llimad, HUC-JIR's Blog of Continuing Jewish Learning, writes, "We are to remember and to forget. Remembering and forgetting are linked in an eternal paradox. Without remembering there would be no need to forget but if we truly forget we will not know that we have done so."
Steven F. Windmueller, Ph.D., Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Service, is writing a blog pertaining to the Jewish vote and the forthcoming 2012 elections. His blog, The Wind Report, serves as a repository of his writings and research covering a fifteen year framework. In his most recent post, he writes, "Tonight's stunning victory by Robert Turner, a Republican, over Democrat David Weprin may provide a window into the 2012 Presidential campaign. No Republican has held this seat since 1923. This seat was most recently held by Anthony Weiner, who was forced to resign in June. The seat itself may be reapportioned later this year, as New York needs to reconfigure its Congressional representation."
The HUC-JIR/Jerusalem campus will hold Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services as follows:
- Rosh Hashanah: Erev Rosh Hashanah services will take place on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:00 pm at HUC-JIR’s Murstein Synagogue. For Rosh Hashanah Day services, please contact our local Reform synagogues.
- Yom Kippur: Erev Yom Kippur services will take place on Friday, October 7 at 5:00 pm. On Yom Kippur Morning, services will be held on Saturday, October 8 at 9:30 am. Study sessions will take place at 3:00 pm and Mincha/Yizkor/Ne’ilah will take place at 4:00 pm. These services will take place in Blaustein Hall at Merkaz Shimshon-Beit Shmuel.
On Monday, September 19 at 12:30 pm, the American Jewish Archives will host "In the Thou Business," an open history seminar with Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. Dr. Brueggemann is known throughout the world for his brilliant method of combining literary and sociological modes when reading Bible.
The Berman Jewish Policy Archive presents "Fields of Engagement: Debating Key Questions of Research and Jewish Education," a symposium featuring Dr. Lisa Grant and Dr. Alex Pomson and moderated by Professor Steven M. Cohen. The symposium, celebrating the publication of the International Handbook of Jewish Education, edited by Lisa Grant, Helena Miller, and Alex Pomson, will take place on Monday, September 19 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at NYU Wagner. RSVP required.
The New York campus of HUC-JIR will host the opening reception of "Nathan Hilu's Journal: Word, Image, Memory" on Wednesday, September 21 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm. Nathan Hilu's imaginative works evoke memories of his long, multi-faceted life. The phrase art brut, coined by Jean Dubuffet in 1922, best describes Hilu's style — naïf, or outsider art that does not adhere to the mainstream. Boldly drawn with passion and intensity, Hilu's art captures the essence of his early days on the Lower East Side, imagined scenes from Jewish midrash, and his experiences as a U.S. Army guard at the Nuremberg Prison and the subsequent International War Crimes Trials. The exhibition is presented by the Irma L. and Abram S. Croll Center for Jewish Learning and Culture, with the support of George, z"l, and Mildred Weissman, and Cantor Mimi Frishman and Rabbi Louis Frishman. "Nathan Hilu's Journal: Word, Image, Memory" is on view through March 30, 2012. RSVP required: 212-824-2298 or hucjirmuseum@huc.edu
In preparation for the High Holidays, Rabbi David Ellenson and Rabbi Joy Levitt will join Rabbi David Teutsch, author of "A Guide to Jewish Practice: Everyday Living," for a provocative public conversation about how liberal Jews make decisions about their lives and effectively include Jewish perspectives in their decision-making, on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 pm at the JCC in Manhattan.
HUC-JIR/Cincinnati is hosting a free jazz and hip-hop fusion concert on Saturday, September 24 at 7 pm. Sotto Voce is the new group from the extraordinarily gifted saxophonist/composer/songwriter Roy Nathanson. The group features his fellow Jazz Passengers Curtis Fowlkes and Sam Bardfeld, along with singing bassist Tim Kiah and human beat-box/singer Napoleon Maddox of the Cincinnati hip-hop/jazz outfit Iswhat?!
The Cincinnati Associates of HUC-JIR will host the 28th Annual Tribute Dinner on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The event will pay tribute to Ralph S. (Mike) Michael, President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati. The event will also mark the formal celebration of the 100th anniversary of HUC-JIR's Cincinnati campus. Dinner Co-chairs are Andrew R. Berger and Karen M. Hoguet. Corporate Council Dinner Co-chairs are James A. Miller and Joseph A. Pichler.
Visitors from abroad and Israelis from the Jerusalem community are invited to join HUC-JIR's students, faculty, and friends at Shabbat morning and Holiday services. Click here to view the 5772 (2011-2012) calendar.
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Dr. Susan Einbinder, Professor of Hebrew Literature, is participating in the workshop, "Latin and Vernacular Translations of Hebrew Texts in the 12th and 13th Century," on September 20 in Bochum, Germany, at the Ruhruniversitaet Bochum. Click here for further information. |
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Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Ph.D., Professor of Medieval Judaism and Islam, will be speaking at the Judische liberale Gemeinde, "Or Chadasch," on September 16 in Zurich. Click here for further information. |
| Dr. Leah Hochman, Director of the Louchheim School of Judaic Studies and Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought, served as Scholar-In-Residence at Congregation Or Chadash in Tucson, where she led five sessions: "Beauty (and Ugliness) in Judaism," text study on Re'eh, a sermon on "Beauty (and the Sublime) in Judaism," a talk on "Tweeting, Torah, and Texting: What American Judaism Looks Like on the Web," and an open Q&A session on "Judaism from Abraham to Zionism." The rabbi at Congregation Or Chadash, Rabbi Tom Louchheim, is the great grandson of Jerome H. Louchheim, for whom the Louchheim School is named. | |
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Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Barbara and Stephen Friedman Professor of Liturgy, Worship, and Ritual, is presenting at "Legal Scholar – Preacher – Spiritual Adviser – Mystagogue: Occupational Images of Rabbis, Pastors, and Priests," a conference on the nature of the clergy across religious traditions, on September 19-22 in Regensburg, Germany. Rabbi Hoffman will present a reconsideration of the modern North American rabbinate, in an era of rampant secularization. He is tracing the impact of professionalization on the rabbinate, the growing secularization of America, the steady decline in liberally minded church and synagogue life, the growing search for spirituality, and the conflict between professionally minded bureaucratic religion and the need for spiritual leadership. The results of the symposium will be published in the "Studia Judaica" series of the Walter de Gruyter Berlin Publishing House. |
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Rabbi Samuel K. Joseph, Ph.D., Eleanor Sinesheimer Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish Education and Leadership Development, lead an all day Board Retreat for Temple Emanuel in Denver, CO, on August 28, 2011. He presented a three day intensive for educators at the Moreh L'Morim Conference in Cleveland, OH, from July 31- August 3, 2011, on the topic of "Pursuing Peace in our Teaching, Leading and Governance: Consensus Decision Making." Rabbi Joseph served as the National Co-Chair for the Reform Movement's new Goals for Life Long Learning and a member of the Core Team and the Vision Team of the Reform Movement's Teen Engagement Initiative and call to Action. He completed three days of training rabbinical mentors and rabbinical internship supervisors as part of the Leona Aronoff Rabbinic Mentoring Program at HUC-JIR. He published an article in the Winter 2011 issue of Torah at the Center: "A Better, Brighter Future because of You – Special Needs Educational Consulting" and the Spring 2011 issue: "Setting the Goals of Life Long Learning." Click here for more information about the Union for Reform Judaism's Torah at the Center. |
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Rabbi Richard Levy, Rabbi of Campus Synagogue and Director of Spiritual Growth, was highlighted in The Jewish Journal's Holiday Book article for his revised edition of "On Wings of Awe: A Fully Transliterated Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur" (Ktav Publishing). Rabbi Levy's revised machzor includes more poetic translations, new interpretive readings, and added prayers. Of particular interest is the transliteration of every Hebrew prayer in the service. Click here to read The Jewish Journal's article. |
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Rabbi Dr. Dalia Marx, Assistant Professor of Liturgy and Midrash, will attend the international conference "Legal Scholar - Preacher - Spiritual Adviser: Changing Roles of Rabbis, Pastors, and Priests" in Regensburg, Germany on September 19-22. Click here for further information. |
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Dr. Michael Meyer, Adolph S. Ochs Professor of Jewish History, will be lecturing on "Leo Baeck and Silesia" at a conference on Jewish History in Silesia to be held in Wroclaw, Poland, on September 25-27. The conference is sponsored by the International Leo Baeck Institute, the Hamburg Institute for the History of the Jews in Deutschland, the Willy Brandt Center of the Wroclaw University, and the Warsaw Jewish Historical Institute. |
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Dr. Michal Muszkat-Barkan, Director of Education and Professional Development, served as the coordinator and facilitator of the Conference of "Teachers of Teachers" of the Israeli Culture Commission, sponsored by the Ministry of Education. The Conference took place in Beer Sheva, where directors and coordinators of eleven of Israel's leading teachers' seminaries gathered for planning and sharing the vision for implementing the teaching of the new subject of The Culture of Israel into hundreds of Israel's schools. They were joined by national representatives of the Ministry of Education. The two-day conference was the first of its kind. Muszkat-Barkan serves as consultant for this important government initiative. |
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Michele Prince, Director of the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health, will give the Dr. Robert L. Austin Adult Education Memorial Lecture, "Jewish Wisdom and Wellness: Building a Caring Community" at Temple Beth Ohr in La Mirada, CA, on September 18 at 4:00 pm. As Temple Beth Ohr considers how to best serve the "sandwich generation," Prince will lead an interactive discussion about what Judaism teaches about taking care of ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. |
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Dr. Ruchama Weiss, Director of the Blaustein Center for Pastoral Counseling has just been awarded the Jewish National Fund (KaKal) "Yitztchak Leib and Rachel Goldberg Prize" for outstanding literary publication for her recent book of Hebrew poetry. |
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Dr. Steven F. Windmueller, Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk Emeritus Professor of Jewish Communal Service, will open "Common History, Shared Future: A Summit for Leaders of the Latino and Jewish Communities," a high level meeting of key community leaders in major Latino and Jewish organizations in Los Angeles, on Thursday, September 22 at UCLA. He will share some of his work on Latino-Jewish relations and frame some of the key issues that impact and define the Los Angeles Jewish community. Click here for further information. |
HUC-JIR Year-in-Israel students participated in a North Study Tiyul in the north of Israel, near Tiberias, and spent time in the Kinneret – the Sea of Galilee, during the weekend of September 10. Photo credit: Jeremy Gimbel, first-year HUC-JIR rabbinical student in Jerusalem.
Please click here for a larger image.
Czechoslovakian ceramicist Barbara Krohn creates hand-made ritual objects to celebrate the Jewish holidays. Ring in a sweet New Year with Krohn's unique black and yellow Rosh Hashanah plate, complete with a friendly bee atop the one-of-a-kind honey jar. $250, plus shipping and handling.
To purchase, please contact: 212-824-2218, museumnyc@huc.edu.
Please click here for a larger image.