From the Associate Dean

I welcome you to the spring 2025 issue of Gleanings, a publication of The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education. The issue, focusing on “Training for Leadership” spotlights the Executive Doctoral Program, which was launched in 2009. Since then, 17 students have graduated with an EdD, a momentous accomplishment in the lives of scholars and practitioners. Studying towards the EdD, taking classes, conducting research, and writing a dissertation is a major challenge and an inspiring and worthwhile undertaking. It changes the learners and consequently allow the newly minted EdDs to assume new responsibilities and make a meaningful impact on their work as well as the field of Jewish education.

This semester, Davidson faculty and administration have envisioned a new iteration of the Executive Doctoral Program. As the world around us continues to change, we have adjusted the program’s length, structure, and delivery style to better fit into the world of practitioners. We know that learning towards the EdD while holding a professional position has its own unique demands. Please take this opportunity to learn about our recent innovations.

For this issue, we approached four experienced alumni of the program whose thoughtful and innovative dissertations informed and changed their practice and their leadership contexts. Laura Novak speaks about her passion for Israel education and her new position as the director of the MA in educational leadership at HUC, and Benjamin Mann describes his interest in special education and inclusion and his professional road culminating in a position as chief planning officer at the Jewish Federation of Metrowest New Jersey. Lauren Applebaum describes her research on teaching and learning and her new position at the School of Education at HUC, and lastly, David Kessel, who explored executive leadership and is currently working at JCC Association of North America, reflects on the importance of on-the-job learning.

As I write these words, we are still very much during a war, and many challenges face us in Israel and at home. I hope that reading about these young leaders will inspire you and transmit a sense of optimism as we share the feeling of accomplishment when we see our students learn, grow, graduate, and make an impact on the world of Jewish education. Especially in this difficult time, the trauma of war and personal losses makes it even more challenging for educators to find hope and compassion. We trust that you will find this issue interesting and helpful in your own professional life.

We send our thoughts to the people who lost their dear ones and to the families of all who have suffered. As we write this in early March, we pray for the returning of the hostages and for restoring safety for the land of Israel and all who dwell there.

On a personal note, I wish you, your families, and friends strength as we all hope for calmer and more peaceful days and as we approach Passover, a sweet and meaningful holiday.

Ofra Backenroth
Associate Dean, William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education