Plus, JTS MFA in Creative Writing in JTA

Click here to view this message in a browser window.

JTS - EVENTS AND LEARNING

April 10, 2025

RECORDINGS OF ISRAEL AT A CROSSROADS: NAVIGATING RELIGION, DEMOCRACY, AND JUSTICE NOW AVAILABLE
RECORDINGS OF "ISRAEL AT A CROSSROADS: NAVIGATING RELIGION, DEMOCRACY, AND JUSTICE" NOW AVAILABLE
Last week, engaged audience members gathered to hear from experts in their fields, Israeli citizens, and spiritual leaders during a time of profound trauma. Read about the panel discussions and watch videos of our sessions.
Watch now  →
The 39th World Zionist Congress Election
The 39th World Zionist Congress Election
Vote for Slate 17 Mercaz in this year's election. It's never been more important than it is now to ensure that our beliefs in democracy and religious pluralism are represented. With our collective votes, we can make a difference in countering extremism and helping to secure a safe Israel.
VOTE NOW

Passover Reader 5785

WHO SHALL CROSS?
WHO SHALL CROSS?
Rabbi Jan Uhrbach considers the lessons for Passover we can learn from Talmud Bavli.
Read now  →
OPENING DOORS: SO THAT SEDER MIGHT BE TRANSFORMATIVE, NOT PERFORMATIVE
OPENING DOORS: SO THAT SEDER MIGHT BE TRANSFORMATIVE, NOT PERFORMATIVE
"Every Jew in every generation is called to see ourselves as though we, personally, left Mitzrayim, that narrow place, and began the long walk to freedom, to a place of possibility and expansiveness," observes JTS alum Rabbi Sharon Brous.
Read now  →
A REFLECTION ON RABBAN GAMALIEL
A REFLECTION ON RABBAN GAMALIEL
Rabbi Marcus Mordecai Schwartz explores the illustrations from the 14th-century Catalonian Graziano Haggadah, a treasure from The JTS Library.
Read now  →
“NEIRD V’KHARKOM”
“NEIRD V’KHARKOM”
Explore two versions of this piyyut created by JTS students for the album Seeds of Song: Music from The Jewish Theological Seminary.
Listen now  →

Learn with JTS

Tours Available for Sacred Words: Revealing the Earliest Hebrew Book
TOURS AVAILABLE FOR "SACRED WORDS: REVEALING THE EARLIEST HEBREW BOOK"
location   JTS  |  TUESDAY, APRIL 22 AND TUESDAY, MAY 6, 5:00–6:00 P.M.
Two dates left! Take a special guided tour and delve deeper into our current Library exhibit on the Afghan Liturgical Quire (ALQ).
Register now  →
Israel at a Crossroads—Expanding the Conversation
Israel at a Crossroads—Expanding the Conversation
location   ONLINE | MONDAYS, APRIL 28–MAY 19, 1:00–2:00 P.M. ET
Our spring 2025 learning series builds on the discussions from JTS’s recent convening, bringing JTS alumni into conversation about the evolving challenges of Israeli identity, culture, and collective resilience.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
20TH ISRAELI PALESTINIAN JOINT MEMORIAL CEREMONY
20TH ISRAELI PALESTINIAN JOINT MEMORIAL CEREMONY
location   ONLINE  |  TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1:30 P.M. ET
In the face of growing violence and division, this ceremony offers an opportunity to come together in solidarity, remember the sanctity of all life, and take a step toward reconciliation and collective healing. JTS is a co-sponsor of this powerful event.
Learn more  →
A VISION FOR STORYTELLING
A VISION FOR STORYTELLING
location   ONLINE   |  SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2:30 P.M. ET
MFA in Creative Writing Program Director Etgar Keret and Founding Creative Advisor Jonathan Safran Foer will discuss the art of contemporary storytelling and their vision for JTS’s groundbreaking new program.
Learn more and register  →
COME MY BRIDE: AN ARTISTS' BEIT MIDRASH BY RABBINICAL STUDENT ANINA DASSA
COME MY BRIDE: AN ARTISTS' BEIT MIDRASH BY RABBINICAL STUDENT ANINA DASSA
location   JTS  |  MONDAY, MAY 5, 7:30–9:00 P.M.
Join senior Rabbinical School student Anina Dassa for a deep dive into Lecha Dodi, where we’ll go beyond traditional beit midrash learning by incorporating art to deepen our connection with this beloved poem.
Learn more  →
LEO BAECK ON REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS BEFORE AND AFTER THE HOLOCAUST
LEO BAECK ON REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS BEFORE AND AFTER THE HOLOCAUST
location   JTS  |  MONDAY, MAY 5, 6:30 P.M.
Join Professor George Y. Kohler, Bar Ilan University, for a keynote lecture on the life and thought of Rabbi Leo Baeck.
Learn more and register  →
TANAKH 360
TANAKH 360
location   JTS  |  CLASSES BEGIN JULY 7
This summer, study the Hebrew Bible from multiple perspectives. Each day focuses on a unique approach—Biblical Scholarship, Rabbinics, Medieval Commentary, and Jewish Thought.
Learn more  →

News

Jewish Theological Seminary, Conservative Judaism's Flagship, Launches the MFA in the Creative Writing
The Jewish Theological Seminary, Conservative Judaism's Flagship, Launches MFA in the Creative Writing
"[Chancellor Schwartz] sees the MFA as a reminder that 'Jewish civilization is rich and broad and deep,' and includes literature and art in addition to rabbinic learning and historical scholarship."
READ NOW IN JTA
UNSHACKLING OUR INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES: REREADING RABBINIC SLAVERY
UNSHACKLING OUR INTERPRETIVE PRACTICES: REREADING RABBINIC SLAVERY
Dr. Marjorie Lehman (JTS) and Dr. Mira Beth Wasserman (Reconstructionist Rabbinical College) co-authored this article after teaching courses on slavery at their respective institutions. Read how teaching this complex topic impacted the authors.
Read Now in Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas  →
AT VATICAN CONFERENCE, CATHOLIC AND JEWISH SCHOLARS DISCUSS FAITH AS FOUNDATION FOR ETHICS
AT VATICAN CONFERENCE, CATHOLIC AND JEWISH SCHOLARS DISCUSS FAITH AS FOUNDATION FOR ETHICS
Shira Billet recently participated in a conference on Jewish and Christian Ethics at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, presenting a paper entitled "Jewish Ethics Beyond Dichotomies" to a group of scholars, and a public lecture on the same topic, alongside Catholic philosopher Dr. Judith Wolfe, who presented a paper on Christian Ethics.
Read now in Catholic News Agency  →

In Case You Missed It

MAKING LEARNING STICK FOR NEXT GEN PROFESSIONALS
MAKING LEARNING STICK FOR NEXT GEN PROFESSIONALS
In our recent issue of Gleanings, Rabbi David Kessel, an alum of the Executive Doctoral Program of The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, discussed his experience engaging younger Jewish leaders.
Read now  →
NUSAH PRESENTATION: FRANCES SHACKET
NUSAH PRESENTATION: FRANCES SHACKET
Cantorial School student Frances Shacket shared selections from Kabbalat Shabbat.
Watch now  →
Torah Commentary
Torah: A Question of Purity
Are there things today that are so sacred they can eclipse what is normally offensive?
READ MORE
JTS Logo

The Jewish Theological Seminary
3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
 
Manage your email preferences.