Spring Break
Rabbi Winick hired as interim Jewish chaplain for spring
by Matthew Brock
News | 2/5/08
Posted online at 2:36 AM EST on 2/5/08
/ Last updated at 7:13 PM EST on 2/5/08
The University hired Rabbi Elyse Winick '86 to be the interim Jewish chaplain, Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy announced in a campuswide e-mail last Wednesday.
Eddy also wrote that a committee headed by Prof. Steven Burg (POL) and composed of students, faculty members and members of the chaplaincy will select a new full-time rabbi to start next semester.
After a committee failed to find a suitable part-time rabbi last fall to replace the previous chaplain, Rabbi Allan Lehmann, Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes announced the formation of a new search committee to find a full-time rabbi last December. According to Catholic Chaplain Walter Cuenin, the original search committee helped identify the need for a full-time rabbi to better serve the campus' large Jewish community and lead the weekly Sabbath services.
Winick, who started in her new role last Monday, previously served as the assistant director of Hillel at Brandeis. In addition to her position as interim Jewish chaplain, Winick will also continue serving as the assistant director of KOACH, an organization that serves as a resource for Conservative Jewish college students.
Winick declined an interview request because she said she is still settling in her new role.
The appointment received a positive response from Jewish groups on campus. Brandeis University Conservative Organization issued a statement saying it is pleased Winick is rejoining the Brandeis community and it looks forward to her rabbinic and spiritual guidance.
"She was really warm and welcoming and said that she would love to talk to me about [Brandeis Orthodox Organization]," said BOO President Katie Schlussel '10, who spoke to the rabbi at a welcome reception hosted by the chaplaincy last Thursday.
Although BOO relies primarily on its own rabbi, Elliot Kaplowitz, provided for by the Jewish Learning Initiative, Schlussel said it is important to have "somebody who could be there to discuss Judaism, whether in a religious or a spiritual sense, or just anything they would like to talk about." She also stressed the importance of a Jewish chaplain in representing Jewish students on campus at interfaith events.
Schlussel said she plans to meet with Winick to discuss how she can be a resource to BOO.
Eddy also wrote that a committee headed by Prof. Steven Burg (POL) and composed of students, faculty members and members of the chaplaincy will select a new full-time rabbi to start next semester.
After a committee failed to find a suitable part-time rabbi last fall to replace the previous chaplain, Rabbi Allan Lehmann, Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes announced the formation of a new search committee to find a full-time rabbi last December. According to Catholic Chaplain Walter Cuenin, the original search committee helped identify the need for a full-time rabbi to better serve the campus' large Jewish community and lead the weekly Sabbath services.
Winick, who started in her new role last Monday, previously served as the assistant director of Hillel at Brandeis. In addition to her position as interim Jewish chaplain, Winick will also continue serving as the assistant director of KOACH, an organization that serves as a resource for Conservative Jewish college students.
Winick declined an interview request because she said she is still settling in her new role.
The appointment received a positive response from Jewish groups on campus. Brandeis University Conservative Organization issued a statement saying it is pleased Winick is rejoining the Brandeis community and it looks forward to her rabbinic and spiritual guidance.
"She was really warm and welcoming and said that she would love to talk to me about [Brandeis Orthodox Organization]," said BOO President Katie Schlussel '10, who spoke to the rabbi at a welcome reception hosted by the chaplaincy last Thursday.
Although BOO relies primarily on its own rabbi, Elliot Kaplowitz, provided for by the Jewish Learning Initiative, Schlussel said it is important to have "somebody who could be there to discuss Judaism, whether in a religious or a spiritual sense, or just anything they would like to talk about." She also stressed the importance of a Jewish chaplain in representing Jewish students on campus at interfaith events.
Schlussel said she plans to meet with Winick to discuss how she can be a resource to BOO.
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