Office of Student Life

The role of the Office of Student Life is to enhance and enrich the personal, social, educational, and religious growth of JTS students, and to create a welcoming, student-centered environment. The Student Life staff coordinates a wide variety of cocurricular and extracurricular activities with an emphasis on creating community at JTS. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to drop by anytime for information about activities and life in New York City, to chat, or merely relax. The Billie Rosenthal Rubinoff Center for Student Life in Unterberg (second floor) is a great place to meet with other students, enjoy a snack, or study.

The Office of Student Life oversees the work of the Va'ad Gemilut Hasadim: Susan and Jack Rudin Center for Community Outreach and the  Jewish Life Directors in the residence halls, who organize Jewish cultural and religious programming and serve as a resource for residents. In addition, Student Life works closely with the student organizations on programming initiatives and also works with the JTS Counseling Center on special health and wellness activities.

Student participation in planning activities is welcomed by the Office of Student Life. Students may develop their leadership skills by becoming involved in student organizations, participating in a capella or dance groups, joining the Israel Committee, or becoming active in Isha El Akhota: The JTS Women's Center.

For further information, and to get involved in student activities, feel free to contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife@jtsa.edu or (212) 678-8839, or visit us in Unterberg 209.

Va'ad Gemilut Hasadim: Susan and Jack Rudin Center for Community Outreach


(212) 678-8915 vaad@jtsa.edu

The Va'ad Gemilut Hasadim: Susan and Jack Rudin Center for Community Outreach (the Va'ad) seeks to promote community service at JTS through its hands-on volunteer opportunities, educational programs, and the annual Tzedakah campaign. Every day, the Va'ad provides a variety of opportunities for JTS community members to go out into the local New York City community and volunteer to help. The Va'ad's diverse educational programming offers greater insight into some of the broader issues surrounding these community-service initiatives. In addition, funds are raised throughout the year for the Va'ad's Tzedakah Campaign, and are donated to organizations in need in the United States, Israel, and internationally. We invite you to explore the various programming that the Va'ad offers at JTS, and find out how you can start making a difference today!

JTS Counseling Center

The JTS Counseling Center is available to work with JTS students to help them get the most from their academic, spiritual, and emotional life at JTS. The JTS staff of psychologists and social workers offers a safe, nonjudgmental, and confidential environment where students have the time and space to explore what is contributing to any current distress and to figure out ways of coping with their difficulties.

The JTS Counseling Center offers:

  • Initial consultation and assessment (the first appointment)
  • Focused individual psychotherapy
  • Referrals to and resources about outside services (psychotherapy, psychiatry, organizations, and support groups in the community)
  • Consultation and outreach
  • Workshops
  • Personal coaching
  • Career-interest testing
  • Medication referrals

Consultation, crisis intervention, brief individual psychotherapy, and referrals for longer-term psychotherapy in the community are provided for all JTS students. Outreach and consultation, including programs for personal growth, are available for all students, faculty, and staff groups upon request.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: Brush 404
Phone: (212) 280-6161 (Please call for an appointment.)

Our multidisciplinary staff of senior psychologists and social workers represents a multiplicity of clinical interests and specializations, including depression and anxiety, wellness, abuse / sexual assault, sexual identity, multicultural issues, and women's issues. We are all committed to providing services in ways that respect, recognize, and honor the complexity of our students and their lives.

To make an appointment with one of our experienced mental health professionals, please call the director, Dr. David Davar, at (212) 280-6161. You can also reach us at counseling@jtsa.edu. If you feel your concerns are urgent or that you are having an emergency situation, please let us know immediately.