Hebrew College

With the beginning of the month of Tammuz, we find ourselves facing the saddest period in the Jewish sacred calendar. Ahead of us lies the 17th of Tammuz, a date that reverberates with a sense of rupture in our collective memory: shattered tablets, breached walls. And three weeks beyond that, the 9th of Av, a date associated with even deeper devastation: both Temples destroyed, Jerusalem laid waste.

Two pivotal biblical narratives accompany us as we enter this period – narratives that point to two threats that are with us whenever we find ourselves facing uncertain terrain. In between these two dramatic stories – the story of the spies and the story of Korach – sits the mitzvah of tzitzit, the commandment to wear fringes on the corners of our garments. Rad more at https://hebrewcollege.edu/blog/blessing-for-the-month-of-tamuz/

Mazel tov to 2026 Rabbinical School Ordainee Rabbi Alex Goldfarb, who will join the UMass Amherst Hillel community as Hadar's campus rabbi! Read more in the JewishJournal of Greater Boston:

"Rabbi Alex brings a warm, welcoming presence and a genuine enthusiasm for working with college students...As campus rabbi, Rabbi Alex will support student religious communities, teach classes and learning cohorts, mentor student leaders, and serve as a pastoral and spiritual resource for students. He will also partner with senior staff to expand visiting educator programming in the coming year, further strengthening support for students from diverse Jewish backgrounds and practices."

Rabbi Alex Goldfarb joins UMass Hillel in Amherst - Jewish Journal UMass Hillel is pleased to announce that Rabbi Alex Goldfarb will be joining its team this summer as its inaugural Hadar Campus Rabbi. This position is the result of a new partnership with the Hadar Institute, a leading center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian co...

Last night Hebrew College hosted “Leaders and Learners who Light the Way: A Celebration of Tamid Adult Learning”. Capping off another academic year of courses, seminars, lectures, and other creative programming, the evening was a reflection of this wonderful community. Attendees participated in a text study led by Hebrew College Vice President Dr. Susie Tanchel, heard from new and longtime members of the Hebrew College adult learning community, and honored 80 learners who were inducted into the Chai Society, for folks who have completed at least 18 Tamid courses. The evening culminated with a panel discussion about Jewish learning as a lifelong pursuit featuring President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, CJP President and CEO Rabbi Marc Baker, and Lehrhaus Co-founder and Director Rabbi Charlie Schwartz. Mazel tov to all of our learners!

“The measure of Jewish leadership is not the brilliance of what you can accomplish alone, but the beauty of what you can build with others.” – Hebrew College President Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld

On Sunday, May 31, 2026, Hebrew College celebrated our 2026 graduates at Commencement & Ordination Ceremonies on the College's shared campus, conferring 6 Master of Jewish Education degrees, awarding 6 Graduate Certificates, and ordaining 16 rabbis – the largest cohort in the history of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College. These new rabbis will transition into an array of roles across the spectrum of Jewish life, from congregational to campus life, community engagement to Jewish camping — securing positions across the country, from Atlanta to San Franciso to our own “neighborhood”, enriching the Jewish community of Greater Boston and beyond with their vision and leadership.

The College awarded two honorary degrees, to Gerald Chan, pioneering medical technologist, and Robert Bank, who most recently served for ten years as President and CEO of American Jewish World Service. In addition, Dr. Abigail Gillman received the Hillson/Bronstein Award for Promotion of Hebrew Language and Literature for her work in the fields of Bible Studies and Comparative Literature, and Dr. Sharon Feiman-Nemser received the Benjamin Shevach Award for Excellence in Jewish Educational Leadership for her groundbreaking scholarship on teacher learning.

Mazel tov to our graduates and ordainees!

We look forward to celebrating our 2026 honorees, award recipients, graduates, and ordinees starting at 11:45 am EST today!

Join us on the livestream:

Commencement & Ordination 2026/5786 | Hebrew College Celebrating our Graduates! We look forward to you joining us for Hebrew College Commencement and Ordination on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at our collaborative campus in Newton, MA. Bookmark this page to learn about our honorees, award winners and graduates. Ceremonies Graduate Jewish Education Stud

Last night was an outstanding celebration of community members and honorees as we gathered for Hebrew College’s spring gala, “Sacred Sparks!”

Thank you to all who joined us to illuminate this event with gratitude and generosity!

Temple Beth Sholom - The Place To Be will host the Norman H. Finkelstein Memorial Lecture on Saturday, May 30, featuring Professor Michael Hoberman's presentation on the stories of rural New England Jews! Register using the following google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfD6w9ZIa4WjumKGlObDZmmruz2z6pi1CoBf2Ua4DjxfCorfg/viewform

"I'm lucky that I get to do Jewish art education. 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, 2026 MJEd Graduate

Now accepting applications for Fall 2026.
Think the MJEd might be right for you? visit https://hebrewcollege.edu/mjed
Or contact Susan Morrel [email protected]

We are looking forward to celebrating "Sacred Sparks" at the Hebrew College Spring Gala later this week.

Grateful to be part of the shared campus community and very excited to announce next year's Hebrew College rabbinic interns. Stay tuned to learn more about them in the fall.

Hebrew College’s online Ulpan is open the summer of 2026. Learn Hebrew with a cohort of dedicated students, featuring small class sizes and top notch instructors! Whether you starting from scratch or looking to build on your existing skills, courses are available to meet your needs. Register today! www.hebrewcollege.edu/ulpan