Division of Religious Leadership: A Summer of Learning, Leading, and Living Jewishly
The DRL community had a vibrant and meaningful summer—learning, engaging, and gaining experiences both inside and beyond the classroom. Here are some highlights:
- Nishma: We had a fantastic summer session of Nishma, led by Sara Duker and Matt Eisenfeld z”l Beit Midrash Director Rabbi Luciana Pajecki Lederman. Incoming and continuing DRL students honed their skills, studied Talmud, and explored Jewish life in New York City.
- Tanakh 360: The pilot summer of Tanakh 360 program welcomed JTS students and community learners into the Beit Midrash, where they studied Tanakh with faculty across disciplines.
- Camp and Youth Leadership: DRL students made an impact as yoatzot, rashei edah, and educators at Ramah Canada, Berkshires, Darom, Nyack, Ojai, and Galim. One student worked on USY on Wheels, and another served as an intern at USY’s Leadership Training Institute, helping shape the next generation of Jewish leaders.
- Cantorial Student Engagement: Cantorial School students joined Cantor Shoshi Levin Goldberg at the Cantors Assembly convention on the Jersey Shore. Later in the summer, DRL students joined her at the North American Jewish Choral Festival.
- Immersive Learning: Rabbinical students took part in two multi-day minimester immersives, one in May and another in August, diving deeply into intensive study and practice.
- DRL Teaching: DRL faculty visited and taught at Ramah camps, including Rockies, Wisconsin, and Poconos, as well as at BBYO’s Israel 360 program during Leadership Kallah.
- Fellowships & Internships: One rabbinical student, serving as a Slifka Nadich Fellow at the Hartman Institute, helped staff the launch of their teen program. Several students engaged in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internships, gaining hands-on experience in spiritual care.
- Global Experiences: Many students spent the summer in Israel, immersed in a wide range of work, volunteer opportunities, and personal growth experiences.
