Spring Break
Interim title removed from current Jewish chaplain
by Jillian Wagner
News Editor
News | 3/31/09
Posted online at 7:37 AM EST on 3/31/09
Rabbi Elyse Winick '86, who has served as interim Jewish chaplain for more than a year, is now the "unconditional" Jewish chaplain of the University, according to a campuswide e-mail from Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer yesterday.
Winick "confirmed her unconditional status" as Jewish chaplain on campus and "accepted [the University's] offer to remove the interim condition from her appointment," Sawyer wrote.
When asked about the timeline for the decision, Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams said that this has been a consideration "for a while, this is a process." He also said that the decision was a joint effort between Winick and the University.
"I think what taking out the 'interim' title means is a greater commitment on the part of the University to have her on a regular position," Coordinator of the Interfaith Chaplaincy Rev. Dr. Walter Cuenin, the Catholic chaplain of the University, said. "It's an affirmation on the part of the University of the importance of Jewish life on the campus and for us as chaplains. … This just makes it more official of her presence with us," he said.
Winick did not respond to requests for comment and could not be reached before press time.
Cuenin explained that Winick is not on campus every day of the week because she is also the associate director of KOACH, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's College Outreach Program, which "provides college-age students the opportunity to maintain and develop connections to Conservative Judaism," according to its Web site. This will not change with her newly solidified status as official Jewish chaplain.
The other members of the Brandeis chaplaincy, as well as students and members of the Brandeis community, value Winick as an important member of the community and are pleased that her position is now solidified as Jewish chaplain.
"[Winick] has been a great asset to the Brandeis community," Alex Kern, the Protestant chaplain for the University, said. "She's a wonderful colleague, an excellent educator, a wise mentor, and readily available to students, faculty and staff. [She's] very learned as a Brandeis alum and brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the Brandeis community that simply will enrich [the] lives of those on campus," Kern said.
Winick "confirmed her unconditional status" as Jewish chaplain on campus and "accepted [the University's] offer to remove the interim condition from her appointment," Sawyer wrote.
When asked about the timeline for the decision, Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams said that this has been a consideration "for a while, this is a process." He also said that the decision was a joint effort between Winick and the University.
"I think what taking out the 'interim' title means is a greater commitment on the part of the University to have her on a regular position," Coordinator of the Interfaith Chaplaincy Rev. Dr. Walter Cuenin, the Catholic chaplain of the University, said. "It's an affirmation on the part of the University of the importance of Jewish life on the campus and for us as chaplains. … This just makes it more official of her presence with us," he said.
Winick did not respond to requests for comment and could not be reached before press time.
Cuenin explained that Winick is not on campus every day of the week because she is also the associate director of KOACH, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's College Outreach Program, which "provides college-age students the opportunity to maintain and develop connections to Conservative Judaism," according to its Web site. This will not change with her newly solidified status as official Jewish chaplain.
The other members of the Brandeis chaplaincy, as well as students and members of the Brandeis community, value Winick as an important member of the community and are pleased that her position is now solidified as Jewish chaplain.
"[Winick] has been a great asset to the Brandeis community," Alex Kern, the Protestant chaplain for the University, said. "She's a wonderful colleague, an excellent educator, a wise mentor, and readily available to students, faculty and staff. [She's] very learned as a Brandeis alum and brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the Brandeis community that simply will enrich [the] lives of those on campus," Kern said.
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