Thanking JTS By Supporting Student Scholarships

Two years ago, when Rabbi Victor Mirelman’s class celebrated the 50th anniversary of their ordination, JTS asked each rabbi to write a short reflection. “What I said was, JTS is a totally different institution than it was 50 years ago. The Jewish community has changed radically, and so did the school. Who knows what will come later? It’s the responsibility of new graduates to take the ball and run.”

Thanks to the generosity of Rabbi Mirelman and his wife, Rose-Miriam, a new generation of rabbis will be prepared to shape the future of the Jewish community.

Originally from Argentina, Rabbi Mirelman has spent most of his career in Chicago, where he is now rabbi emeritus of West Suburban Temple Har Zion, as well as faculty chair and student advisor for Jewish Studies graduate programs at Spertus Institute.

When he received JTS’s annual solicitation letter last spring, he picked up the phone and initiated a conversation about making a substantial donation. “I have tremendous love and respect for the institution,” he said, and he wanted to say thank you for all that he learned, and for the wonderful career that JTS enabled him to enjoy.

His gift will fund scholarships for JTS students. “It’s an incentive to young people who want to serve the Jewish community, to encourage them and help them out during years in which they need some financial support, so they can later contribute their knowledge to educate future Jews.”