Hebrew College

We’re proud to share this story about Rabbi Rogério Cukierman ’13, who recently began serving as rabbi of Bet David Progressive Synagogue in Johannesburg. Congratulations to Rogério on this exciting new chapter, as he brings his pluralistic rabbinic training and strategic leadership to help shape the congregation’s future. Read the full story from the SA Jewish Report to learn more about his journey and vision for Bet David.

New Bet David rabbi to help chart Progressive future - SA Jewish Report For years, Rabbi Rogério Cukierman built a career helping organisations plan for the future. Today, he is applying the same strategic thinkin

We loved seeing share the love story of Hebrew College alumnus Rabbi Beni Summers `24. Mazel Tov from Hebrew College!

www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/style/pamela-soberman-beni-summers-wedding.html

‘Divine Bread Crumbs’ Guided Their Love Story Pamela Soberman and Beni Summers credit fate for their unlikely meeting at a singing retreat on New Year’s Eve.

On Monday, Hebrew College celebrated Tu b’Av with many members of our community in Great Barrington, MA at Hevreh of Southern Berkshires. Teachings were shared by Rabbi Daniel Klein (), Dean of the Rabbinical School, and Dr. Susie Tanchel, Vice President of Hebrew College, and joyful singing was led by Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer, our Rosh Tefillah and Artist in Residence.

Rabbi Laura Bellows `18 was recently featured in the Forward regarding her work with Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action and their recently released spiritual resource linking the themes of climate change with Tisha B'av :

"Tisha B’av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples, deals with themes of grief and resilience relevant to today’s climate crisis, said Rabbi Laura Bellows, director of spiritual activism and education at Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action.

In advance of Tisha Ba’av, Dayenu this week released a spiritual guide for the aftermath of extreme weather — including floods, storms, heatwaves and fires. It was a grim coincidence, Bellows said, that the guide’s publication coincided with a time when those prayers would be of particular use.

'The grief is real,' Bellows said. 'Jewish tradition is really good at encouraging us not to ignore it, but actually to make space and time to be with that grief.'"

We are grateful to Rabbi Bellows and the work of Dayenu in creating a Jewish context for this important work! Read more at the link.

Fight wildfires and other climate crises with this spiritual guide to catastrophe Climate activists compile a Tisha B’av prayer and repair repertoire aimed at healing a hurt environment

Rabbi Tyler Dratch, 2021 ordainee of the Hebrew College Rabbinical School, was featured recently in the Baltimore Jewish Times on the occasion of his stepping into the senior rabbinic role at Beth Am Synagogue in Baltimore:

Something Dratch already knew, but that has been reinforced in the last few weeks and months since he started preparing for this role, is that a synagogue can mean many things.

“People are looking to build communities of meaning to join and be a part of places in which they matter … they’re also looking for communities that help them live their values in the world. If that’s to promote justice in our city, if it’s to find opportunities to slow down or be connected to history and past generations, if it’s to combat antisemitism … I think that the Jewish community has the opportunity to bring people together. When we show up to care for others, that’s where you find great meaning in life,” Dratch said.

Read the whole story at the Baltimore Jewish Times

Rabbi Tyler Dratch Elevated to Senior Rabbi at Beth Am Rabbi Tyler Dratch moved to Baltimore and joined the Beth Am Synagogue team in 2021, taking on the roles of rabbi, youth education leader and prayer leader. He knew it was a special place right away, saying he and his family immediately felt at home at Beth Am.

This Spring Hebrew College's Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership partnered with Interfaith America convened a diverse group of Jewish leaders from across the country to mark the 250th year of America's independence. Clergy and community leaders gathered on our shared campus in Newton for intra-Jewish dialogue and reflective enquiry about the relationship between democracy and religious liberty, and the unique position of American Jews in cultivating pluralistic norms.

Watch this video produced by Interfaith America to learn more about the event and American Jewry's relationship to the values of pluralism and democracy!

Jewish Leaders Discuss Faith, Pluralism & Democracy in America Watch this collection of thoughts and ideas from a powerful gatheri...

Leading Up: A New Dimension of Leadership
With Instructor Dr. Susie Tanchel, Vice President of Hebrew College

Dates: Wednesdays, November 4 and 11
Time: 12:00-1:15pm
Online via Zoom
Cost: $72.00 per person

Explore an often-overlooked dimension of leadership: your relationship with your boss. Whether you're an Educational Director or anyone who manages others while also reporting to someone above you, you occupy a dual role — and how well you navigate that role has a direct impact on your effectiveness and your organization's success.

Have you ever asked yourself:
-Why is working with my boss so hard?
-Do I feel seen and appreciated?
-Are we partners — or just coexisting?
-How do I bring bad news without it blowing up?

Leading Up is a dynamic short course designed for leaders who want to expand their influence. Whether you're navigating a complex dilemma, trying to drive change, or working with a challenging supervisor, the ability to lead upward is the skill that maximizes your influence and sets you up to lead with greater confidence at every level. Leading Up invites you to shift your perspective. Instead of feeling stuck, frustrated, or underappreciated, you'll discover that you have more agency than you think.

Across two focused, practical sessions, you will explore the mindset shifts and concrete skills to build a more effective, productive, and healthy partnership with your boss. You’ll learn how to lead up with integrity and build relationships that open doors — without compromising your own values or voice.

Learn more and register today: https://hebrewcollege.edu/leadingup/

Strengthen Your School, Strengthen Yourself!

Hebrew College’s MaTaRoT Department offers a menu of professional development offerings, each guided by a belief that teaching is a complex and dynamic process that demands continual improvement.

-Explore incorporating Project Based Learning into your Jewish Education setting.
-Work with a Leadership Coach to meet your potential and succeed at all aspects of your educational leadership.

Schedule a conversation with Marion Gribetz ([email protected]) today to discuss your professional development needs!

Click here to learn more: https://hebrewcollege.edu/matarot/

Begin your MJEd Journey with us today! Earn a Masters in Jewish education to innovate the field with your vision and creativity.

"Whatever I do, I'm doing something that's helping people connect to their Judaism and get into a creative rhythm. Because I have the tools that I've been gaining from the semesters in the MJED, my teaching is stronger than ever."

— David Ratz, MJEd Graduate

Learn more and apply: https://hebrewcollege.edu/mjed/

CULTIVATE A NEW GENERATION OF JEWISH LEARNERS:
Apply for a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Educaation

In the 21st century, Jewish education is about more than just knowledge. It is a pathway to cultivating wholeness (shlemut) through social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The Graduate Certificate in Jewish Spiritual Education empowers you to become a skilled guide for your students' spiritual journeys.

Why Enroll?
-Holistic Pedagogies: Engage in a variety of spiritual practices developed for Jewish education, along with other emerging trends in the field.
-Deep Understanding: Explore Jewish thought, prayer, and contemporary research in the field of Jewish spirituality.
-Practical Application: Learn constructive models of successfully bringing Jewish spirituality into all venues of Jewish Education.
-Fast-Track Format: Complete this 4-credit graduate program in just two semesters.
-Transform your approach to teaching God and prayer. Gain the wisdom to cultivate a soulful approach to life for your students.

Learn more: https://hebrewcollege.edu/graduatecertificatesathc/