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Three women considered to be new Jewish chaplain
by Anya Bergman
News | 9/25/07
Posted online at 1:47 AM EST on 9/25/07
/ Last updated at 8:06 PM EST on 9/25/07
The search field for a new Jewish chaplain is narrowing, according to Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams, who said he's in the midst of interviewing the top five candidates, three of whom are women.
Adams has headed up the search with a committee of three students, faculty and administrators since Allan Lehmann departed last May for a position at Hebrew College in Newton.
The committee isn't looking for a rabbi of a certain denomination, Adams said.
The process began with a pool of more than 20 applicants, some local and some from as far away as California, who responded to an announcement and sent in their credentials.
Nine applicants were selected from the original group. Those candidates were subsequently narrowed down to five, all of whom are being interviewed by phone, Adams said.
Following the phone interviews the committee will discuss its thoughts and select some, if any, eligible applicants to visit campus.
Adams said the Jewish chaplain should fit in with the strong dynamic in place with the Muslim, Protestant and Catholic chaplains.
"The next addition to the Jewish chaplaincy would have to be someone that would add on to that foundation…someone that needs to be able to meet and assess the diversity within the Jewish population as well as the non-Jewish population," he said.
Last spring Lehmann explained that he helped to build that foundation.
Adams said the rabbi would help lead Jewish events as well as chaplaincy events, such as the weekly peace vigils for the Iraq war. The new chaplain would also be expected to maintain a relationship with Hillel.
"I would imagine that they would really just spend a large amount of time developing, assessing, evaluating and nurturing spirituality on campus," Adams said.
During their upcoming visits to campus, the applicants will meet with faculty, administrators and the chaplaincy, but will spend most of their visit meeting with a variety of students.
"For me that's the priority, that's where the tires hit the road," Adams said. "What the students have to say is of the utmost value to myself in regard to the search. The ultimate thing is that [the new rabbi] understands that the students are why we exist."
Following their stay, the applicants will complete an evaluation form or e-mail Adams on their thoughts. He said the Brandeis community will then have the opportunity to look at the rabbi's responses and offer feedback.
Adams has headed up the search with a committee of three students, faculty and administrators since Allan Lehmann departed last May for a position at Hebrew College in Newton.
The committee isn't looking for a rabbi of a certain denomination, Adams said.
The process began with a pool of more than 20 applicants, some local and some from as far away as California, who responded to an announcement and sent in their credentials.
Nine applicants were selected from the original group. Those candidates were subsequently narrowed down to five, all of whom are being interviewed by phone, Adams said.
Following the phone interviews the committee will discuss its thoughts and select some, if any, eligible applicants to visit campus.
Adams said the Jewish chaplain should fit in with the strong dynamic in place with the Muslim, Protestant and Catholic chaplains.
"The next addition to the Jewish chaplaincy would have to be someone that would add on to that foundation…someone that needs to be able to meet and assess the diversity within the Jewish population as well as the non-Jewish population," he said.
Last spring Lehmann explained that he helped to build that foundation.
Adams said the rabbi would help lead Jewish events as well as chaplaincy events, such as the weekly peace vigils for the Iraq war. The new chaplain would also be expected to maintain a relationship with Hillel.
"I would imagine that they would really just spend a large amount of time developing, assessing, evaluating and nurturing spirituality on campus," Adams said.
During their upcoming visits to campus, the applicants will meet with faculty, administrators and the chaplaincy, but will spend most of their visit meeting with a variety of students.
"For me that's the priority, that's where the tires hit the road," Adams said. "What the students have to say is of the utmost value to myself in regard to the search. The ultimate thing is that [the new rabbi] understands that the students are why we exist."
Following their stay, the applicants will complete an evaluation form or e-mail Adams on their thoughts. He said the Brandeis community will then have the opportunity to look at the rabbi's responses and offer feedback.
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Sternlight
David Sternlight
posted 9/25/07 @ 6:56 PM EST
Women can certainly be considered as chaplains on their merits as chaplains, not as women.
However, when considering a Jewish Chaplain, it is important to recognize that a male chaplain is acceptable to all mainstream strains of Judaism, but that a female chaplain may present halachic difficulties for many orthodox Jews (pace Dvorah and her fellow woman heroes of Israel). (Continued…)
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