Good afternoon, everyone. Today is Monday, July 28, 2025, and welcome to our latest episode covering recent events at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
We begin with a solemn note. On July 3, we lost Professor Emeritus Rabbi Neil Danzig, a cherished member of our community who dedicated many years to teaching Rabbinics at JTS. His contributions to Jewish scholarship and education have left an indelible mark, and he will be deeply missed.
In academic developments, JTS has entered into a groundbreaking agreement with Barnard College. Building upon our existing dual degree program, this partnership now allows Barnard students to enroll in Jewish studies courses at JTS without any additional cost. This initiative aims to broaden access to Jewish education and foster deeper academic collaboration between our institutions.
In other news, Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz has announced her decision to step down at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. Appointed in 2020 as the first woman chancellor in JTS's history, Chancellor Schwartz has led the institution through significant challenges and achievements. She plans to return to the faculty after a sabbatical, emphasizing the importance of healthy leadership transitions.
Looking ahead, JTS is offering a three-part webinar series titled "Standing Together: Prayer, Presence, and the Power of Community." Scheduled for Mondays, September 8, 15, and 29, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, the series will explore themes of vulnerability, responsibility, and connection during the High Holidays. Sessions will be led by Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, Dr. David Kraemer, and Chancellor Schwartz herself. For more details and registration, please visit the JTS website.
In a significant expansion of our academic offerings, JTS has launched a new Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. This two-year, low-residency program will be directed by acclaimed Israeli author Etgar Keret and aims to nurture Jewish fiction writers by providing mentorship and access to JTS's rich resources. The program reflects our commitment to fostering Jewish literature and storytelling.
Finally, we reflect on the recent "Israel at a Crossroads" convening held in April. The event featured discussions on Israeli identity, democracy, and justice, with notable speakers including former Israeli Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit. Building on this, JTS hosted a follow-up webinar series titled "Israel at a Crossroads—Expanding the Conversation," engaging alumni in conversations about the evolving challenges of Israeli culture and resilience.
That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events from JTS in our next episode. Thank you for listening.