Commencement 2026: Chancellor Schwartz Addresses Invitation to President Isaac Herzog

May 7, 2026

Earlier in the week, Chancellor Schwartz shared her thoughts about this year’s commencement with students, staff, and faculty. We invite you to read them.

Dear JTS Faculty, Staff, and Students,  

With commencement almost two weeks away, many conversations have emerged following the announcement that President Isaac Herzog will serve as this year’s commencement speaker.   

In recent discussions and communications with students, I outlined the core principles and values that underlie JTS’s commitment to the State of Israel and its vision of Zionism, all of which we share closely with President Herzog. I would now like to share these ideas with the broader community. 

Our fundamental commitment to the Jewish state flows directly from the fact that more than 7 million of our fellow Jews live in Israel.  This means that supporting the state that is represented by Israel’s president is one of the highest forms of caring for the Jewish people.   

Moreover, since the time of Solomon Schechter, JTS has continually believed in and supported a democratic and humane Zionism as was eventually enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence (“Megillat Ha-Atzma’ut”). Indeed, JTS has for several years been a co-sponsor of a ceremonial reading of that Declaration at the egalitarian section of the Western Wall. We do so because we are committed to the essential values set forth in that fundamental document, including the promotion of justice and peace for all, ensuring political equality and equal protection under the law to all races and faiths, striving for peaceful relations with its neighbors, even when those strivings are not yet embraced, and furthering the welfare of the Jewish people everywhere in the world. 

President Herzog, like all of the ten previous presidents of Israel, represents the state and its people, rather than any particular government. Throughout his career, which has included leadership of the Labor Party and chairmanship of the Jewish Agency, he has worked for visions of Zionism and Israel that we hold dear. He has consistently argued for defending the democratic character of Israel as among its most basic norms. Believing in the necessity of hearing multiple voices, he also worked on an immersive educational track on the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict in which students would encounter the conflict though a “dual voiced” format by an Israeli and a Palestinian.  

This President has consistently argued for the necessity of a two-state solution, and he has spoken (and visited) with Arab leaders, including the Turkish president, in service of that goal. Although the presidency does not come with political powers, the President has lent the prestige of his office to efforts at reforming some aspects of the judiciary that do not subject minorities to a tyranny of the majority.   

Truly, President Herzog and JTS have always been in sync regarding our aspirations for a more perfect Israel. He has been a strong advocate for the religious pluralism that is so important to us.  And aside from all of this, he has long had abiding respect for the scholarship that we stand for, and for the openness and pluralism of debate that defines us. I personally have supported these efforts, most recently as a MERCAZ delegate to the 39th World Zionist Congress in October 2025. Our work is bearing fruit thanks to MERCAZ’s strong showing during the voting, and funding allocations for the upcoming year better reflect our values concerning land usage and religious pluralism. You can read more about my experience at the Congress here.  

I recognize that some in our community see things differently than I and are troubled by our decision to honor President Herzog. We at JTS welcome spirited debate and respect all views and opinions that are voiced conscientiously with an intent to further the Jewish values that motivate us all. By sharing the vision for Israel that JTS and President Herzog have long had in common, I hope to offer clarity about the values guiding this choice. We approached this step purely and conscientiously, guided by what we believe is right and good for the Jewish people, and we look forward to honoring President Herzog on the 19th.

We take pride in all of our students and look forward with enthusiasm and support to celebrating all of our graduates at commencement.