Rabbi Portman appointed senior Jewish educator and campus rabbi at OSU Hillel
Rabbi Aaron Portman (’21) assumed the role of senior Jewish educator and campus rabbi at The Ohio State University Hillel in Columbus on Aug. 20. According to a news release from OSU Hillel, Portman is a sixth-generation Central Ohioan. He was born in Bexley and attended Columbus Torah Academy before...
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Brandeis is ‘Anything But’ Bad for Observant Jews
by Rabbi Seth Winberg (’11) for The Forward “Brandeis was founded by Jews. But, it’s anything but Orthodox.” A double-page advertisement from Brandeis University bearing these words ran in June 25’s issue of The New York Times Magazine, to the dismay of many observant Jews. Thankfully, the university president sent...
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A Year of Strong & Steady Growth: YCT Highlights of ’22-’23
Dear Friends, The 2022-23 year has been one of strong and steady growth for YCT, with a growing number of students here and in Israel, alumni in even greater positions of influence and reach, and more lives touched. This has all been possible thanks to your ongoing and increased investment...
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Skokie Synagogue Renovation Reflects Congregation’s Recent Renaissance
The renovation of Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob reflects its transformation into a more inclusive Orthodox Jewish congregation under the leadership of Rabbi Ari Hart (’12).
The Making of a Rabbi: Nissan Antine
Rabbi Nissan Antine, 44, leads Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah in Potomac. He’s an Orthodox rabbi guiding an Orthodox synagogue. But Antine still likes to quote one of his former teachers, Rabbi Avi Weiss, the founder of the Open Orthodoxy movement, which calls for more flexibility and interpretation with...
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Finance, rabbinics and practical experience fuel L.A. Jewish community foundation’s new top exec
Even in laid-back Los Angeles, the full-size surfboard propped upright in Rabbi Aaron Lerner’s (YCT ’13) office stands out — the board nods to the CEO’s enjoyment of surfing, and — displaying logos of some of the L.A. institutions that have shaped him — charts where he’s been professionally. Lerner,...
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How Hillel at UCLA Moved beyond Tolerance to Embrace Difference
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles announced Thursday the hiring of Rabbi Aaron Lerner, executive director of Hillel at UCLA, as its next president and CEO. Lerner will take over the new post Jan. 2, succeeding Marvin I. Schotland, who has led the foundation since 1989 and will retire...
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Rabbi Kyle Savitch (’21) Holds Both Jewish Tradition and Modern Sensibilities in His Hands with Kehillat Harlem
“They want to make the most amount of people comfortable without sacrificing traditions.”
Learn about Rabbi Kyle Savitch’s innovative and maximally inclusive work building the Harlem Orthodox community—and the $100,000 grant he got to do it.
Jason Mark (’22), rabbi at Congregation Etz Chayim, observes High Holidays in Toledo
Death and dying are persistent themes for Rabbi Jason Mark. He’s a full-time hospital chaplain in West Virginia, and reflected on the themes in preparation for the Jewish New Year in late September. He again brought those spiritual questions with him on his 4 1/2-hour drive from Morgantown, W.Va., to...
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Rabbi Aaron Lerner (’13) Selected as Next President and CEO of Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles announced Thursday the hiring of Rabbi Aaron Lerner, executive director of Hillel at UCLA, as its next president and CEO. Lerner will take over the new post Jan. 2, succeeding Marvin I. Schotland, who has led the foundation since 1989 and will retire...
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