Community Development

Under the rubric of Friends of JTS, the Office of Community Development works closely with Conservative synagogues to create engaging adult education programs including scholars-in-residence, video-conference learning, and Seminary Shabbatot. We tailor programming to fit each individual synagogue's need. Click here to contact us.

Scholars-in-Residence: The stellar faculty of JTS can visit your home community for lectures, shabbatot, or adult education programs. We can work with you to structure a program that suits your needs and budget. For information on the topics and available speakers, visit the JTS Speakers Bureau.

Seminary Shabbat: Every year, JTS sends our best and brightest to visit Conservative congregations around the country for Seminary Shabbat. This past year, almost one hundred students taught and spoke about their experiences at JTS. Seminary Shabbat is an incredible opportunity to hear the message of JTS through a student who represents a new generation of Jewish learning and leadership. This year, our national Seminary Shabbat date is March 8, 2008.

In order to participate in Seminary Shabbat, congregations are expected to provide transportation to their communities as well as appropriate housing at a kosher home within walking distance of the synagogue. Students are expected to prepare no more than two formal presentations that require serious preparations (sermons, divrei Torah, teaching, and the like).

Video-Conference Adult Education: A Contemporary Beit Midrash: Ancient Texts, Modern Technology. Using the JTS video-conference equipment in the Kripke Tower, JTS can partner with congregations to provide ongoing, serious adult education. Congregations with existing video-conference capabilities are encouraged to contact us to work on tailoring a course to fit their needs. Most recently, JTS has partnered with congregations to offer courses on "Honorings One's Parents: the Challenge of the Sandwich Generation," and "Isaac Unbound: Three Religious Read the Akedah."

The Mitzvah Initiative: Jewish tradition has always understood that the concept of "mitzvah" embraces a nuance of meanings broader than "commandment" alone. In one of his first initiatives as chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary, Chancellor Arnold Eisen has asked Conservative rabbis across the country to begin a serious discussion with their congregants on their personal connection to mitzvah. The initiative is the first step in a long-term goal to create a renewed sense of community within the Conservative Movement. To read more about the initiative, including resources and background information, click here.

To bring JTS programming to your community or for more information about Community Development at JTS contact:
Rabbi Marc Wolf
3080 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 678-8933
Email: Rabbi Marc Wolf