The Jewish Theological Seminary of America Podcast

JTS Campus News: High Holiday Webinars, Hebrew Manuscript Exhibit, Chancellor’s Announcement, and Semester Deadlines

Good afternoon, and welcome to our campus news update for Monday, September 8, 2025. Let's dive into the latest happenings at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. As we approach the High Holidays, JTS is launching a three-part webinar series titled "Standing Together: Prayer, Presence, and the Power of Community." The first session, "Beyond the Sermon: What High Holy Day Prayers Offer and Demand," will be led by Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, Director of the Block/Kolker Center for Spiritual Arts. This session is scheduled for today, September 8, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Eastern Time. The series will continue on September 15 and 29, featuring other distinguished speakers. These webinars offer a meaningful opportunity to reflect and prepare for the upcoming High Holidays. For more details and to register, please visit the JTS website. Mark your calendars for September 17, when the exhibition "Jewish Worlds Illuminated: A Treasury of Hebrew Manuscripts from The JTS Library" opens at The Grolier Club. This exhibition showcases 120 manuscripts and books, providing a comprehensive tour of Jewish literary creativity across centuries and continents. It's a unique opportunity to explore the rich heritage preserved in these texts. A quick reminder for students: today, September 8, is the last day to register for the Fall 2025 semester. Additionally, the last day to add a class is September 16, and the last day to drop a class with a tuition refund is also September 16. Please ensure you complete any necessary registration or course adjustments by these deadlines. In institutional news, Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz has announced that she will step down at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. As the first female chancellor in JTS's history, her tenure has been marked by significant achievements and leadership. Following her departure, she will become Chancellor Emerita and continue her involvement with the faculty. We also take a moment to remember Professor Emeritus Rabbi Neil Danzig, who passed away on July 3, 2025. Rabbi Danzig was a cherished member of the JTS community, contributing significantly to the field of Rabbinics during his tenure. His legacy continues to inspire students and faculty alike. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

JTS Fall Updates: High Holiday Events, Chancellor Schwartz’s Transition, Academic Deadlines, and Honoring Legacy

Hello, and welcome to our latest episode, bringing you the most recent updates from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. As we step into September, the JTS community is gearing up for the High Holidays with a series of enriching webinars titled "Standing Together: Prayer, Presence, and the Power of Community." This three-part series invites participants to delve into themes of vulnerability, responsibility, and connection during this sacred season. The sessions are scheduled for Mondays—September 8, 15, and 29—from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Eastern Time. Esteemed speakers include Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, Dr. David Kraemer, and Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz. For more details and to register, please visit the JTS website. In academic news, today marks Labor Day, and tomorrow, September 2, classes for the Fall 2025 semester officially begin. Students are reminded that the last day to register for the semester is Monday, September 8. Additionally, the last day to add a class or drop a class with a tuition refund is Tuesday, September 16. For a comprehensive overview of important dates, refer to the academic calendar available online. Over the summer, Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz engaged with various communities in New England. Her visits included Camp Ramah, a session of "JTS in the Berkshires," and a gathering with the congregation of Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. These interactions underscore JTS's commitment to fostering connections and sharing knowledge beyond the campus. In a significant announcement, Chancellor Schwartz has shared her intention to step down at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year. As the first female chancellor in JTS's 139-year history, her leadership has been marked by dedication and vision. Post-transition, she will assume the role of Chancellor Emerita and continue her contributions as a faculty member. Lastly, we mourn the loss of Professor Emeritus Rabbi Neil Danzig, who passed away on July 3. A respected scholar in Rabbinics, Professor Danzig's teachings have left a lasting impact on the JTS community. Our thoughts are with his family and all who were touched by his wisdom. That's all for this episode. Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of our JTS community.

JTS Prepares for High Holidays, Announces Leadership Transition, and Celebrates Faculty Achievements

Good afternoon, everyone. Today is Monday, August 25, 2025, and welcome to our latest episode covering recent events at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. As we approach the High Holiday season, JTS has been actively preparing with a series of educational programs. On August 14, Rabbi Ayelet Cohen led a webinar titled "Malchuyot, Zichronot, Shofarot—Majesty, Memory, and the Call of the Shofar: A Roadmap for Our Times." This session explored the complex themes of the Rosh Hashanah liturgy and their relevance to contemporary challenges. Looking ahead, on September 4, Rabbi Gordon Tucker will present "Confession and Community," a webinar examining the communal aspects of the Yom Kippur confession and its ethical implications. In other news, JTS has announced that Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz will step down at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. As the first female chancellor in the institution's history, her tenure has been marked by significant achievements, and she will continue to serve as Chancellor Emerita and remain on the faculty. Additionally, Dr. Yael Landman, Assistant Professor of Bible, has been awarded the Berkowitz Fellowship from the NYU School of Law for the upcoming academic year. This fellowship recognizes her outstanding contributions to biblical scholarship. That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events from JTS in our next episode.

JTS News: Remembering Rabbi Danzig, Chancellor Schwartz’s Transition, High Holiday Webinar, and Key Fall 2025 Dates

Hello, and welcome to the latest episode of our campus news podcast. Today is Monday, August 18, 2025, and we have several important updates from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. First, we are deeply saddened to report the passing of Professor Emeritus Rabbi Neil Danzig, who taught Rabbinics at JTS for many years. Rabbi Danzig passed away on July 3, 2025. His contributions to the field and our community will be profoundly missed. In other news, Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz has announced her intention to step down in 2026. Serving as the first woman chancellor since 2020, Chancellor Schwartz has been a transformative leader for JTS. She plans to return to the faculty, where she has been a member since 1991. Looking ahead, JTS is offering a three-part webinar series titled "Standing Together: Prayer, Presence, and the Power of Community." These sessions are scheduled for Mondays, September 8, 15, and 29, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm Eastern Time. The series will explore themes of vulnerability, responsibility, and connection during the High Holidays. For more details and to register, please visit the JTS website. As the new academic year approaches, here are some key dates to keep in mind: - Sunday, August 24: List College orientation begins, and residence halls open for new students attending orientations. - Monday, August 25: Orientations for the Rabbinical School, H. L. Miller Cantorial School, Kekst Graduate School, and the Davidson School commence. - Wednesday, August 27: Registration for new students takes place. - Sunday, August 31: Residence halls open for returning students. - Tuesday, September 2: Classes for the Fall 2025 semester begin. For a comprehensive overview of the academic calendar, please refer to the JTS website. That concludes our updates for today. Thank you for tuning in, and we look forward to bringing you more news in our next episode.

JTS News: Honoring Rabbi Danzig, New Barnard Partnership, Creative Writing MFA, and Upcoming High Holiday Events

Good afternoon, everyone. Today is Monday, August 11, 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. Our faculty and students have also been making significant strides beyond our campus. Professor Marjorie Lehman recently participated in a paleography workshop at the University of Toronto’s Fisher Library, contributing her expertise to the study of ancient manuscripts. Additionally, JTS students and staff made a notable impact at this year’s Association of Jewish Libraries online conference, showcasing our commitment to advancing Jewish learning and scholarship. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce a new Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program set to launch this fall. Directed by acclaimed Israeli author Etgar Keret, this two-year, low-residency program aims to cultivate Jewish fiction writers by blending creative arts with Jewish studies. The program will feature a distinguished roster of advisors, including Jonathan Safran Foer, Shalom Auslander, and Nicole Krauss, among others. As we approach the High Holidays, 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 pm ET, the series will explore themes of vulnerability, responsibility, and connection during this sacred time. Sessions will be led by esteemed faculty members, including Rabbi Jan Uhrbach, Dr. David Kraemer, and Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz. In leadership news, Chancellor Schwartz recently visited New England, where she engaged with the community at Camp Ramah, led a session of "JTS in the Berkshires," and joined the congregation of Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. These visits underscore our ongoing commitment to connecting with Jewish communities beyond our campus. Finally, we want to remind our students that the fall semester is just around the corner. Orientation for new students begins on August 24, with classes commencing on September 2. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to campus for another enriching academic year. That's all for today's update. Thank you for tuning in, and we'll be back soon with more news from JTS.