Spring Break
Admin decides on new chaplain search
The University said it will try to hire a full-time Jewish chaplain this spring.
by Matthew Brock
News | 1/15/08
Posted online at 4:42 AM EST on 1/15/08
/ Last updated at 7:01 PM EST on 1/15/08
After last semester's search for a part-time Jewish chaplain didn't produce a desirable candidate, the University hopes to hire a new fulltime rabbi this semester.
Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes announced Dec. 3 that a committee will be formed this spring to complete the search and hire a rabbi. The new committee will mark the start of a new search for a full-time rabbi, Catholic Chaplain Walter Cuenin said.
Rabbi Allan Lehmann, the previous Jewish chaplain, departed last May for a position at Hebrew College in Newton, Mass. Last fall, Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams headed a search committee composed of faculty, administrators and three students for a part-time Jewish chaplain. A pool of more than 20 applicants for the position responded to an announcement and sent in their credentials. The University, however, failed to find any suitable candidates during that process, Cuenin said.
Cuenin explained that last semester's defunct committee helped identify the need for a full-time rabbi. It is imperative to hire a full-time rabbi given the size of Brandeis's Jewish community, especially if the rabbi is expected to lead any of the weekly Shabbat services, he said.
Larry Sternberg, executive director of Hillel, agreed with Cuenin, saying that it takes a certain amount of time and presence to develop a relationship with the community.
Hillel and the chaplaincy held information sessions on the search for the new rabbi Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, both of which received very low turnouts. At the time, Sternberg said that he was unaware of who would participate in the new committee, as it had not yet been formed. However, he speculated that the members would be selected by Jean Eddy, senior vice president for students and enrollment.
Both Cuenin and Sternberg stressed the importance of finding a rabbi with the capacity to handle the interfaith dimension of religious life at Brandeis. "[The] role of a Jewish chaplain…is to nurture the growth of all students," Sternberg said. However, it is also important for the rabbi to be accessible to the various Jewish student organizations on campus, he added.
Currently, the search for a new rabbi has not begun, but Sternberg hinted that the committee would not be looking to hire a new rabbi from within the Brandeis community. "It doesn't make sense to make assumptions about Jewish Learning Initiative Rabbi and Chabad Rabbi," he said.
Sternberg said that the committee will look for rabbis with experience working with students, as well as an understanding of the various sorts of Judaism present on campus.
The main factor in evaluating applicants will be talent, Sternberg said. "I think this is a unique position for the most talented of the rabbis that we have from any denomination," he said. "So it is exciting to think about the kinds of people who will apply for this."
Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes announced Dec. 3 that a committee will be formed this spring to complete the search and hire a rabbi. The new committee will mark the start of a new search for a full-time rabbi, Catholic Chaplain Walter Cuenin said.
Rabbi Allan Lehmann, the previous Jewish chaplain, departed last May for a position at Hebrew College in Newton, Mass. Last fall, Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams headed a search committee composed of faculty, administrators and three students for a part-time Jewish chaplain. A pool of more than 20 applicants for the position responded to an announcement and sent in their credentials. The University, however, failed to find any suitable candidates during that process, Cuenin said.
Cuenin explained that last semester's defunct committee helped identify the need for a full-time rabbi. It is imperative to hire a full-time rabbi given the size of Brandeis's Jewish community, especially if the rabbi is expected to lead any of the weekly Shabbat services, he said.
Larry Sternberg, executive director of Hillel, agreed with Cuenin, saying that it takes a certain amount of time and presence to develop a relationship with the community.
Hillel and the chaplaincy held information sessions on the search for the new rabbi Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, both of which received very low turnouts. At the time, Sternberg said that he was unaware of who would participate in the new committee, as it had not yet been formed. However, he speculated that the members would be selected by Jean Eddy, senior vice president for students and enrollment.
Both Cuenin and Sternberg stressed the importance of finding a rabbi with the capacity to handle the interfaith dimension of religious life at Brandeis. "[The] role of a Jewish chaplain…is to nurture the growth of all students," Sternberg said. However, it is also important for the rabbi to be accessible to the various Jewish student organizations on campus, he added.
Currently, the search for a new rabbi has not begun, but Sternberg hinted that the committee would not be looking to hire a new rabbi from within the Brandeis community. "It doesn't make sense to make assumptions about Jewish Learning Initiative Rabbi and Chabad Rabbi," he said.
Sternberg said that the committee will look for rabbis with experience working with students, as well as an understanding of the various sorts of Judaism present on campus.
The main factor in evaluating applicants will be talent, Sternberg said. "I think this is a unique position for the most talented of the rabbis that we have from any denomination," he said. "So it is exciting to think about the kinds of people who will apply for this."
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