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education. The proceedings of the Academic Symposium, recorded in these pages, reflect the beginning
of this initiative.
We will continue to reimagine and expand our efforts in Recruitment and Admissions, partnering
with other organizations, congregants, and alumni, to attract and retain the best and brightest students.
We will work to ensure a financially sustainable future for the College-Institute through vigorous
fundraising, Board development, conservative fiscal management, and strategic advance planning.
We have begun reviewing curricula across our programs, keeping our training aligned with the evolving
roles and communities in which our students will serve, and helping them grow ever deeper in their
text skills, Hebrew, and knowledge of Jewish tradition. Finally, we will build on our unique presence
in Israel, through continuing our excellent programs that train Israelis for leadership in a pluralistic
religious world, even as we create opportunities for visiting North Americans and bolster the relationship
between the Diaspora and Israel.
We welcomed a new team member in the senior administration, Elizabeth Squadron, our new Vice
President for Program and Business Development, who previously served as the Director of the Mayor’s
Office of Operations under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. She is coordinating our five goals and their
implementation over the next three years, in cooperation with our senior team. A website, with goals,
objectives, benchmarks, and responsibilities clearly delineated, is underway, and will be available to
keep you apprised of our progress.
Thanks to you – our alumni, friends, and supporters – fundraising continues to be a bright area at the
College-Institute. So far this year, we have been blessed with several very significant gifts in the $1-$5
million range for a total of $13 million in principle gifts completed, with more currently under discus-
sion. We are grateful for your devotion as you contribute to creating a vibrant Reform Movement and
Jewish community through your support of scholarships and endowed faculty chairs, specific schools
and programs, and our Annual Fund. Bequests and other planned gifts, as well, do so much to help our
institution thrive. Please know how much we appreciate all of your encouragement and assistance and
how seriously we take our role as stewards of your gifts.
What has become abundantly clear to me over these past eight months as President is that we are part
of a thriving community – one that values learning, creates opportunities for growth and leadership,
and sets our students on a sacred path that is meaningful, crucial, and inspiring. Wherever my travels
take me, I encounter individuals whose lives have been changed for the better because of HUC-JIR.
I am proud, as an alumnus, a faculty member, and now, as President, to be a part of this outstanding
institution of learning.
Of this I am certain: the festival of Sukkot is communal. No one can build a Sukkah alone. (I tried
it once – it is, shall we say, ill-advised!) Within each of our booths we only feel complete with the
presence of others. It is uniquely rewarding to be there, even though it is only for seven days each
year. How much the more so when we build more long-term, permanent institutions like the
College-Institute, with far greater impact and more enduring results.
Thank you for your commitment to being among our builders. I look forward to building with you
for many years to come.
In friendship and gratitude,
Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, Ph.D.
Tishrei 5775 October 2014