Anna Chapman May, H. L. Miller Cantorial School
Anna Chapman May comes from a family of mixed faiths and decided to become a hazzan while living and working in Jerusalem, and after observing a friend’s experience as a Cantorial School student and graduate.
The Truth—and Nothing but the Truth
Commencement Address 2019
It’s a particular pleasure for me to address our graduates this year, the 50th since my high school commencement ceremony. I confess I remember absolutely nothing of that day and am not sure that you or your families will remember very much about this ceremony, years from now. But I am quite certain you will remember the tumultuous time we are all living through: the special anxiety that attaches to being a citizen of the United States these days, or a steward of planet Earth, or—not the least cause of concern in 2019—a Jew, who must now worry about resurgent anti-Semitism and routinely has to pass through metal detectors or perhaps armed guards in order to set foot in a synagogue or other Jewish institution.
It’s hard to read the news these days without encountering evidence of a significant rise in antisemitism. What’s going on? We need to step back from the near-daily barrage of incidents and insults, I believe, and think seriously about the renewed and age-old practice of singling out Jews for attack.
March and April include a Purim celebration and fascinating discussions on new approaches to Jewish religious engagement and the connection between religion and working for justice. Both will be livestreamed.
JTS staff, faculty, and students have been featured in several recent articles.
Alumni Featured in Capital Campaign Videos
JTS has produced a suite of five new videos for the launch of the public phase of the capital campaign, which will be used on our website, on social media, and at events. Rabbi Rami Schwartzer (JTS ’16), who runs the Jewish Millennial Engagement Project in Washington, DC, is one of the alumni featured. We invite you to watch a sneak peak of Rabbi Schwartzer’s video.
JTS Headlines at BBYO Convention
JTS administrators and students joined thousands of Jewish teen and adult leaders last week at the BBYO International Convention (IC) in Denver. Teens involved with BBYO make up a growing number of List College applicants and students.
Honoring Dr. Shuly Rubin Schwartz
On March 26, we’ll honor Dr. Schwartz’s 25 years as List College dean, and her recent appointment as provost.
