attributes her decision to become a rabbi
to her experiences at UAHC summer camp,
her involvement with Hillel, and her year
as a legislative assistant for Coalition for
the Environment in Jewish Life and the
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
Other students have decided to become
Jewish professionals after realizing that
they want more fulfilling careers or that
they want to serve their people.
Dean Shapiro, an entering rabbinical student
who was working in international film distri-
bution, explains, “I decided to look for
another career which I thought would give
me a stronger sense of fulfillment, allow me
to explore my interests in depth, better utilize
my skills, and encourage profound encounters
with people.” Thomas A. Gardner, also an
entering rabbinical student, was helping for-
eign nationals in his job as a consular worker
when he realized that he would like to apply
his efforts towards helping his own people.
Cookie Lea Olshein, also an entering rabbini-
cal student, states, “I wanted to be able to
incorporate Judaism into my professional life
and make more of a difference than I was
able to make as an attorney.”
Many of the students in our School of
Graduate studies are of other faiths. Entering
student Chad Bird explains that by studying
at HUC-JIR he hopes to deepen his knowl-
edge of the Hebrew Bible, especially as it was
interpreted by Jews and early Christians in
order to better instruct the seminary students
he teaches.
Our students come with high expecta-
tions for their studies at HUC-JIR and we
look forward to meeting them.
Nicole Leiser, an entering rabbinical student,
says, “I hope to meet incredible people who
will become friends and colleagues, to learn
from some of the brightest Jewish scholars
of today, and to begin my journey to
become the best rabbi and educator that I
can be.” Brian Stollar, an entering rabbinical
student, adds, “I expect that I will have
intense intellectual and spiritual experiences.
I look forward to learning all that I possibly
can about Jewish history, tradition, and reli-
gious thought, and to developing the skills I
will need to be an effective rabbi.” April
Quinn, an entering Rhea Hirsh School of
Education student, tells us, “I expect a quali-
ty education that will enable me to secure an
excellent job in the Jewish community while
enriching my own personal experience of
Judaism. I hope to be guided in a nurturing
environment that encourages individuality.”
Foremost on many of our incoming
student’s minds is the Year-in-Israel
Program, which is required of all first
year rabbinical, cantorial, and Rhea
Hirsch School of Education students.
Notwithstanding our student’s concern for
a successful resolution of the current conflict,
they are approaching the Year-in Israel Program
with enthusiasm and excitement to be living
and learning in the land all Jews can call
home. Entering rabbinical student Deborah
Michelle Marcus tells us, “I am eagerly await-
ing the start of my studies in Israel. There is
no better place to begin rabbinical training
than in the very heart and home of the Jewish
people. I believe it is extremely important as
future leaders to show solidarity with Israel,
not only in good times but in difficult times,
not only with financial contributions, but
with presence of mind and body.”
Our students’ career aspirations are var-
ied and we are proud to see that they
will bring the skills they learn here to
communities throughout the world.
Grant Tetsut is entering our Graduate Studies
program in order to study the original lan-
guages in which the Bible was written. He
plans to work in East Africa translating the
Bible. Delphine Horvilleur, an entering New
2003
ISSUE 62
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continued on page 30)
HUC-JIR’s delegation of 70 Year-in-Israel
and Israeli rabbinical program students,
joined by administration, Governors and
Overseers, were welcomed by Jerusalem
Mayor Uri Lupolianski. Inset: Mayor
Lupolianski and Rabbi Ellenson.
First-year rabbinical student Marshal
Klaven greets Mayor Lupolianski.