Gratz College

10/11/2026

This is an important program, led by Gratz affiliate faculty member and clinical psychologist Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern.

Jewish families around the world are experiencing grief, fear, and the pain of feeling unseen and invalidated in the face of rising antisemitism. Join psychologist Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern and a panel of JFCS professionals for a thoughtful conversation about building resilience, supporting one another, and creating a stronger, more connected, and caring community.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov 5, 7-8:30pm
WHERE: The Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center, 345 Montgomery Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA
COST: Free, RSVP required
RSVP: jfcsphilly.link/TraumaInvalidationCommunity

Dr. Miri Bar-Halpern is a clinical psychologist, advocate, and speaker specializing in trauma and recovery. She helps individuals, families, and communities navigate the impact of trauma with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based care. With two decades of experience across clinical, academic, tech startup, and policy settings, Miri brings deep expertise, warmth, and a clear voice to some of the hardest conversations of our time.



Community Partners: Adath Israel on the Main Line, Aish Chaim, Kaiserman JCC, MLRT: Main Line Reform Temple-Beth Elohim, Kohelet Yeshiva, Gratz College, Har Zion Temple

10/11/2026

Gratz represents at the Kaiserman JCC Fall Fest!

Pictured below is Tara Cherwony, Campus operations director for Gratz Commonspace in Bala Cynwyd. Despite heavy rains, the festival was a great time for all!


Lower Merion Jewish Community

10/08/2026

We love to see our favorite Jewish American heroine highlighted! Rebecca Gratz was a fierce proponent for Jewish education. The National Council of Jewish Women focuses on her many accomplishments as part of their "She Built This" campaign to celebrate Jewish American Women at 250 years.

10/08/2026

Barbara Rosenau, Gratz graduate student of antisemitism studies, has been a pillar in the Jewish community throughout her career. She fights the fights worth fighting, whether through Jewish advocacy, through Jewish communal service or as a longtime religious studies teacher. Barbara is especially close to our heart at Gratz because she also served as our Director of Adult Jewish Learning for many years.

Thank you to the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent for recognizing her service and featuring her on their cover.

We are of you, Barbara!


Barbara Beloff Rosenau

https://dmag.jewishexponent.com/October-8-2026/index.html #

09/30/2026

Born on September 30, 1928, today would have been Elie Wiesel's 98th birthday.

While he received birthday messages from world leaders and major dignitaries, he also received cards signed by students and coworkers. We found this card pictured below in our Grayzel Digital Platform. While it is unclear what birthday Mr. Wiesel was celebrating when he received it from his coworkers at The Elie Wiesel Foundation, he clearly had a great impact on them.

The card's face reads, "YOU'RE A MAN WHO'S ADMIRED ON YOUR BIRTHDAY AND ALWAYS" and is filled with messages from Foundation employees. One employee writes, "You are such a light in our lives and the world. May your birthday bring you as much joy as you give us." Another writes, "You are an inspiration, a teacher, and a friend. Thank you so much for all you've taught me. Happy birthday!!" Happy birthday Elie Wiesel, may your words and records continue to inspire future generations to be kind and care about humanity.

View the birthday card on the Grayzel Digital Platform: https://grayzel.gratz.edu/ew/birthday-card-professor-wiesel

09/28/2026

Our non-walking tour through historic Philadelphia was remarkable! We learned about architecture and anecdotes you won't hear anywhere else—all without blisters and inclement weather.

Thank you to our Associate Professor Philip Moore for sharing this slice of his past life as a tour guide and for his engaging storytelling skills!

09/27/2026

Sharing this wonderful Klezmer concert taking place at KleinLife on Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 p.m.

More information:

Raise joy and funds for Common Man for Ukraine on 9/21 at 6PM

09/22/2026

We need your help: Celebrate Archives Month with Gratz College—One Rebecca Gratz Letter at a Time! ✒️ ✏️

This October, Gratz College is looking for volunteers to help pilot a new transcription project for the Rebecca Gratz Correspondence on the Grayzel Digital Platform. As of today, approximately 1200 Gratz letters have been reunited on this platform, making it the largest collection of her letters in the world.

Who was Rebecca Gratz?
Rebecca Gratz (1781–1869) was a pioneering Jewish educator and philanthropist in Philadelphia. She helped establish numerous charitable and educational organizations and, in 1838, founded the Hebrew Sunday School Society, an important model for Jewish congregational education in America. Her commitment to education helped inspire her brother Hyman Gratz, whose bequest ultimately led to the founding of Gratz College, which carries their family name and educational legacy.

For this Archives Month project, we’re asking each volunteer to transcribe just one Rebecca Gratz letter. No archival or transcription experience is necessary—we’ll provide instructions and guidance.

By volunteering, you’ll help make these handwritten historical documents more searchable, accessible, and useful for anyone interested in Early American History.

Interested in participating? Sign up at the RGC Transcription Project: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNDAojc7W_f3Z2HggIvLx9b3ne1YDgSlAJM0W1-LXHPfmB-w/viewform

Help bring history from the handwritten page to the digital world—one letter at a time!

Rebecca Gratz Correspondence: https://grayzel.gratz.edu/digital-collection/rebecca-gratz-correspondence
Celebrate Archives Month with Gratz College—One Rebecca Gratz Letter at a Time! ✒️ ✏️

This October, Gratz College is looking for volunteers to help pilot a new transcription project for the Rebecca Gratz Correspondence on the Grayzel Digital Platform. As of today, approximately 1200 Gratz letters have been reunited on this platform, making it the largest collection of her letters in the world.

Who was Rebecca Gratz?
Rebecca Gratz (1781–1869) was a pioneering Jewish educator and philanthropist in Philadelphia. She helped establish numerous charitable and educational organizations and, in 1838, founded the Hebrew Sunday School Society, an important model for Jewish congregational education in America. Her commitment to education helped inspire her brother Hyman Gratz, whose bequest ultimately led to the founding of Gratz College, which carries their family name and educational legacy.

For this Archives Month project, we’re asking each volunteer to transcribe just one Rebecca Gratz letter. No archival or transcription experience is necessary—we’ll provide instructions and guidance.

By volunteering, you’ll help make these handwritten historical documents more searchable, accessible, and useful for anyone interested in Early American History.

Interested in participating? Sign up at the RGC Transcription Project: https://lnkd.in/e7vKBP4W

Help bring history from the handwritten page to the digital world—one letter at a time!

Rebecca Gratz Correspondence: https://lnkd.in/eP73pBRn

Alison Joseph