A Conference in Memory of David Ellenson: Assessing His Impact, Advancing His Legacy

A Conference in Memory of David Ellenson: Assessing His Impact, Advancing His Legacy

Tuesday and Wednesday, September 8–9, 2025
New York City (various locations)

JTS is a proud co-sponsor of Hebrew Union College’s two scholarly conferences whose aim is both to reflect on the impact of David Ellenson’s career and to build on his extraordinary legacy.  Participants will explore modern Jewish thought, law, and liturgy in the spirit of innovation and collaboration that David so valued.

Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz will be speaking on the panel conversation, “In Dialogue with David: Remembering Rabbi Ellenson’s Transformative Leadership.” Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus, Professor of Jewish Thought; Shira Billet, Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Ethics; Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Ph.D., Rabbi Herman Abramovitz Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish History and Chancellor Emeritus; and Yitz Landes, Assistant Professor of Rabbinic Literatures and Cultures, will also be speaking during the conference.

In Dialogue with David: Remembering Rabbi Ellenson’s Transformative Leadership—A Panel Discussion

Monday, September 8, 2025
7:30–9:00 p.m.
Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan
334 Amsterdam Ave at W. 76th St.
New York, NY 10023

With Jonathan Sarna, Ph.D, Ambassador Deborah E. Lipstadt, Ph.D., and Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D, Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz will be speaking at an inspiring panel discussion that celebrates the profound scholarly and spiritual legacy of Rabbi David Ellenson, Ph.D., z”l, through the lens of his lifelong commitment to Reform Judaism. This distinguished gathering brings together three esteemed colleagues and friends of Rabbi Ellenson, each of whom shared deep personal and professional bonds with this towering figure in Jewish education and leadership.

Drawing upon Rabbi Ellenson’s groundbreaking scholarship and his transformative leadership at Hebrew Union College, our panelists will examine the dynamic tensions between tradition and innovation that define Reform Judaism today. This session welcomes academics, clergy, students, and community members to engage with the enduring questions that Rabbi Ellenson championed throughout his remarkable career as educator, scholar, leader, and friend.