Each summer, members from the JTS senior leadership team spend time at Ramah camps. They study and learn with campers and staff and have the opportunity to engage in informal conversations on such topics as their own personal Jewish journeys, career opportunities in the Jewish world, and the various programs and courses of study at JTS.

Some of these JTS leaders have graciously taken the time to share their reflections on their visits. We are delighted to share their moving reflections with you.

Rabbi Mike Uram, Chancellor

Seeing the #JTSRamah Connection in Action

If I had to summarize my Ramah experience this summer, the first word that comes to mind is “amazing.”

During my visit to Camp Ramah New England, which came during my second week as chancellor, I had the privilege of meeting campers ranging from Ta’am, getting their first “taste” of Ramah, to intellectually curious rising 11th graders wrestling with deep fears about their own futures, as well as the future of humanity. I also spoke with rising 10th graders who are concerned about antisemitism and who have experienced it firsthand in their schools and communities.

Randy Michaels, Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Reflections on My Summer Visits to Ramah: Ruach Across a Continent

Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement

Reflections on Kayitz 2026 at Camp Ramah New England

What keeps an old-timer like me coming back to Ramah in New England for 2-3 weeks each summer? There is the beauty of Western Massachusetts, of course, and the greater proximity to the baseball cathedral next to the Fenway. This year, especially, there was the excitement of seeing all the physical renewal happening at camp (a state of the art Arts Center, and an equally dazzling new “Marp”). But none of these factors are as important as the people. One of the prerogatives of being a veteran of 24 summers is the opportunity to befriend, work beside, and teach campers, the college students who care for them, the senior staff, and even the various adults who visit camp on weekends.

Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Dean of The Rabbinical School and Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership

Bringing Our Foundational Texts To Life: Rabbi Ayelet Cohen’s Reflections on Her Visit to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

Rabbi Cantor Shoshi Levin Goldberg, Director of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School

Building the Next Generation of Jewish Leaders

This summer, I spent time at two Ramah camps: Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, New York and Camp Ramah in the Poconos. A major highlight of these visits is catching up with our JTS cantorial and rabbinical students, and it was wonderful to see so many of them in action in a variety of roles at camp, from hinukh/education, to camp mashgiah to rashei edot. Each of these future clergy brings their unique talents and energy to their jobs on tzevet/staff, and they serve as wonderful role models to fellow staff members and campers alike. It was also inspiring to connect with current college students considering a future in the Jewish professional world, as clergy, educators or other professionals.

At a gathering at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz formally presented President Isaac Herzog of Israel with the honorary degree conferred upon him during JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony. The ceremony, which is in Hebrew, is available to watch below:

Video: Dotan Guetta, Sound: Avner Dvir

Read President Herzog’s speech in English here.

Video: Dotan Guetta, Sound: Avner Dvir

JTS Alumni, Professor Ed Greenstein and Dr. Beverly Gribetz offered beautiful words of Torah.

Video: Dotan Guetta, Sound: Avner Dvir

Read more about the ceremony here.

Dr. Natan M. Meir has been appointed the Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian. He will begin his role in September 2026, succeeding Dr. David Kraemer, who has transitioned to the faculty as Gerson D. Cohen Chair in Talmud and Rabbinic Culture. 

Dr. Meir joins JTS from Portland State University, where he served as the Lorry I. Lokey Professor of Judaic Studies and the academic director of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies. An accomplished historian, educator, and academic leader, he brings more than two decades of experience advancing Jewish Studies through teaching, scholarship, and public engagement. 

In addition to his work at Portland State, Dr. Meir has lectured internationally and served as a curatorial and public history consultant, scholar-in-residence, and Jewish heritage tour expert throughout Central and Eastern Europe. He earned his BA in History and his MA, MPhil, and PhD in Jewish History from Columbia University. 

Dr. Meir also has longstanding ties to JTS. His grandfather and father both received rabbinic ordination from JTS, and as a Columbia student, he spent countless hours in The JTS Library. Those experiences helped inspire his path as a historian and gave him a deep foundation and appreciation for The Library’s extraordinary collections and their role in shaping Jewish scholarship. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Meir has been committed to making Jewish history accessible to broad audiences. His work has combined rigorous academic research with museum exhibitions, public history projects, community programming, and collaborative partnerships that bring scholarship to the wider public. 

As Librarian, Dr. Meir will build on The Library’s remarkable legacy while expanding its reach as a dynamic, welcoming, and accessible resource for scholars, students, clergy, and lifelong learners. He is committed to fostering new opportunities for research, teaching, public engagement, and collaboration, ensuring that the treasures of The JTS Library continue to inspire and educate future generations. 

August 12, 2026–New York, NY–���ij�Ʒ (JTS) formally presented President Isaac Herzog of Israel with the honorary degree conferred upon him during JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony. The presentation took place at a special gathering at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz formally presented President Herzog with the honorary degree certificate in Jerusalem on August 12, after President Herzog was unable to attend JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony in person in New York. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate this honor while bringing together leaders of JTS and the Conservative/Masorti movement to recognize President Herzog’s leadership and his enduring commitment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

“The conferral of an honorary degree from the distinguished institution of JTS in New York upon the President of the State of Israel at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem is not only a great honor for me but also an occasion that is in its very essence a bridge between parallel and complementary worlds. It sends a message from Jerusalem that we — on both sides of the ocean — are inseparable. We are one,” said President Isaac Herzog. “My deepest gratitude goes to all of you at JTS. May we all continue to build together this wondrous chain of the Jewish people, a chain connecting tradition to scholarship, Judaism to the wider world, Israel to the Diaspora, and the past to the future.”

“I am thrilled that Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz had the opportunity to formally present President Herzog with this honorary degree in Israel,” said Chancellor Rabbi Mike Uram. “The relationship between JTS and the State of Israel is deep and enduring, and we are honored to recognize President Herzog’s extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people. We are also extremely proud to welcome President Herzog into the distinguished community of JTS honorary degree recipients.”

The Hebrew language ceremony was emceed by JTS alumna Naomi Bloom Wurtman, a Jerusalem-based Jewish cultural professional and Project Coordinator for Gesher L’Europa at the National Library of Israel. Through her work, she helps connect the National Library with Jewish communities and cultural institutions around the world.

Featured speakers included Professor Ed Greenstein, Dr. Beverly Gribetz, JTS rabbinical student Chris Penello, and Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz, who reflected on President Herzog’s deep reverence for Jewish scholarship and leadership. In her remarks, she spoke about the values they share, many of which were instilled by their families. Distinguished members of the JTS community and leaders of the Conservative/Masorti movement joined the celebration.

A highlight of the ceremony was a communal rendition of Sim Shalom, led by Cantor Jack Chomsky. He led the prayer using a melody composed by his teacher, Hazzan Max Wohlberg z”l, the influential cantor, composer, scholar, and longtime JTS faculty member who helped establish JTS’s cantorial school.

During JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony, President Herzog received an honorary degree and delivered the Commencement address virtually. This gathering marked the formal, in-person presentation of that honor.

Read President Herzog’s speech in English here.

Learn more about JTS’s 2026 Commencement ceremony here.

Read “‘” in JNS.

Photos by Mayaan Toaf / GPO

Chancellor Uram recently spent several days on the West Coast meeting with JTS alumni, longtime friends and colleagues, current and prospective partners, and leaders across the Jewish community. 

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Camp Ramah in Ojai. There, Chancellor Uram met with JTS students, alumni, and Ramah administrators to discuss the enduring strength of the #JTSRamahConnection and the deep partnership between two of the Conservative Movement’s cornerstone institutions. JTS Board Chair Alan Levine, and Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Randy Michaels celebrated Shabbat in Ojai, joyously surrounded by campers and staff. 

From camp, he traveled to Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, where he had the opportunity to engage with many local rabbis and cantors. Rabbis Erez Sherman and Nicole Guzik led a thoughtful panel conversation, exploring the future of the Conservative Movement and how JTS can be an even stronger partner to Jewish communities on the West Coast. Together, they reflected on the unique opportunity before us to help usher in a new era of growth, learning, and impact for Jewish life across North America. 

Throughout the week, Chancellor Uram also met with many distinguished Jewish leaders and thought partners in the great Los Angeles area.  

Another memorable stop was Milken Community School, where Chancellor Uram met with representatives from several Los Angeles-area Jewish schools to discuss pathways to Jewish leadership for the next generation and the many opportunities JTS offers students seeking to make a meaningful impact on Jewish life. 

The week was filled with meaningful conversations, renewed relationships, and new partnerships. Chancellor Uram was grateful to reconnect with so many JTS alumni and supporters and looks forward to continuing those conversations—both on his next visit to the West Coast and at JTS’s campus in New York. This trip reinforced the strong bonds between JTS and the Los Angeles Jewish community and the shared commitment to strengthening Jewish learning, leadership, and community—no matter the distance. 

At the recent international Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) Convention in Alexandria, Virginia, attendees gathered for four days of learning, leadership, and community. Centered on the theme “Engage, Enrich, Empower: Forging a Stronger Tomorrow,” the convention offered opportunities to deepen Jewish learning, strengthen leadership skills, and advance fundraising efforts, all with an eye toward building a stronger future for Conservative Judaism.

Chancellor Mike Uram was an honored guest and addressed a packed room of WLCJ leaders. In his remarks, he reflected on the future of Conservative Judaism, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful Jewish experiences, investing in people, welcoming all who seek connection, and embracing innovation while remaining firmly rooted in Jewish tradition. He also celebrated the enduring partnership between WLCJ and JTS, expressing his gratitude for the extraordinary leadership WLCJ members provide in their congregations and for the profound impact they have on strengthening Jewish life across North America.

2026 High Holiday Webinar Series

August 17, 24, and 31, 2026
Online
1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

What does it mean to prepare and show up for the High Holidays in our own time? This three-part series explores how Jewish tradition has preserved, interpreted, and renewed the themes of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur through sacred objects, timeless texts, and personal prayer. Together, we’ll explore the objects that have carried Jewish tradition across centuries, engage with ancient texts with compassion and honesty, and reflect on how our own voices become part of the ongoing story of Jewish prayer and renewal.  

JTS faculty members, Rabbi Marcus Mordecai Schwartz, Rabbi Naomi Kalish, and Cantor Rabbi Shoshi Levin Goldberg will offer insight into how our pasts shape our presence as we enter the Days of Awe.

Session Topics and Faculty

August 17, 2026

Objects of Awe: The Meaning of the High Holidays Through Treasures from the JTS Library

With Rabbi Marcus Mordecai Schwartz, Ripps Schnitzer Librarian for Special Collections; Assistant Professor, JTS

Learn more

August 24, 2026

Fear, Trauma, and the High Holidays: Reading Ancient Texts with Compassion

With Rabbi Naomi Kalish, Harold and Carole Wolfe Director of the Center for Pastoral Education; Assistant Professor of Pastoral Education, JTS

Learn more

August 31, 2026

From Nothing to Nothing: Finding Your Own Voice in Prayer 

With Cantor Rabbi Shoshi Levin Goldberg, Director, H.L. Miller Cantorial School, JTS

Learn more

If you have previously registered for another session in this series, your registration admits you to all sessions in the series, and you may attend as many as you’d like. 

July 23, 2026

There is a lot to mourn right now, as American Jews. It often feels like the earth is shifting beneath our feet. Some of our greatest sources of pride and comfort that once felt immutable are at risk. Many of our ancestors fled to this country seeking the promise and protections of democracy. We are thinking more about our safety. We are frequently unsure what our place is in spaces that used to feel like home. The relationship between the US and Israel is uncertain. The foundations of democracy, in the US and in Israel, are being chipped away before our eyes. We are in pain and feeling the temperature rise around nearly every conversation, especially if it has to do with Israel. So much is broken.  

It would be hard to find a better metaphor for the experience of American Jews today, than the confluence of America’s Sesquicentennial falling within the three weeks leading up to Tishah Be’av. In this period, we consider the brokenness of the Jewish people, the ways internal divisions and external enemies have led to profound destruction in our history.   

Are these the worst times that the Jews have endured? Tishah Be’av would remind us that this is not even close. We have endured and survived profound challenges. From those experiences, we have strengthened our sense of responsibility to help others who are suffering. Emma Lazarus, best known for her poem “The New Colossus,” inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, was born to a wealthy, fairly assimilated Sephardic Jewish New York family. By 1883, in her Epistle to the Hebrews, she was advocating for a stronger sense of Jewish peoplehood, informed by the legacy of Jewish exile, that must awaken a sense of kinship and responsibility to Jews suffering antisemitism in Europe. “When the life and property of a Jew in the uttermost provinces of the Caucuses are attacked, the dignity of a Jew in free America is humiliated. We who are prosperous and independent have not sufficient homogeneity to champion on the ground of a common creed, common stock, a common history, a common heritage of misfortune, the rights of the lowest and poorest Jew-peddler who flees, for life and liberty of thought, from Slavonic mobs. Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”  

The destruction of the Temple was a catastrophe. It represented the loss of a religious center, a cultural center, and an entire way of life. It led to exile, alienation, and the need to reinvent Judaism itself. Are we in a moment of such a profound shift as American Jews in our relationship with the American political landscape, in our relationship with Israel, that is as significant a sea change as the time after the destruction of the Temple?  

Two rabbinic texts from the post-destruction period can help us plot a way forward.  

A midrash from Lamentations Rabba is based on , “For Mount Zion, which is desolate; foxes walk on it.” 

Rabban Gamliel, Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya, Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Akiva … were ascending to Jerusalem…When they arrived at the Temple Mount, they saw a fox emerging from the place of the Holy of Holies. They began weeping. Rabbi Akiva laughed. They said, ‘Akiva, you astonish us; we are weeping and you are laughing.’ He said, ‘Why are you weeping?’ They said, ‘Shall we not weep?… the verse ‘For Mount Zion, which is desolate; foxes walk on it,” has been fulfilled!’  He said: ‘This is why I am laughing.…If the words of Uriya have come true: ‘So said the Holy One of Hosts: Zion will be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem will be heaps’ (Jeremiah 26:18), the words of Zechariah will be realized: ‘So said the Holy One of hosts: Old men and old women will again sit in the squares of Jerusalem and the city squares will be filled with boys and girls playing.’ (Zechariah 8:4-5).  

I was joyful that the words of Uriya were realized, because ultimately the words of Zechariah are destined to be realized.’  

They said to him, ‘Akiva, you have comforted us.’ 

The pendulum of history finds us in a frightening place. It may yet get worse. It may take a long time, but it will eventually swing back, if we continue working towards justice, democracy, and repair. We cannot do this work, however, if we succumb to despair.  

A story from the Talmud, , recalls: 

The sages teach that after the Temple’s destruction, some Jews embraced extreme asceticism. They stopped eating meat and drinking wine because those offerings could no longer be brought to the Temple. Rabbi Yehoshua challenged them: If they would no longer eat meat, should they also stop eating bread, since grain offerings had ceased? Perhaps they would live on fruit. Then should they stop eating fruit because first-fruit offerings had ceased? Perhaps they would drink water. Then should they stop drinking water because water libations had ceased? Eventually, they fell silent. 

Extreme grief can lead us toward unsustainable forms of self-denial. We cannot survive if we deny ourselves all joy. We cannot live governed entirely by fear, anger, and despair. But neither can we pretend that nothing has happened. 

Rabbi Yehoshua therefore teaches: ‘My children, come, and I will tell you. Not to mourn at all is impossible, as the Temple has been destroyed. But mourning excessively is not sustainable. Rather, the Sages said: A person may plaster her house, but she must leave a small amount unplastered.  A person may prepare what he needs for a meal but leaves out a small item…A woman adorns herself, but leaves out a small item.’

The lesson is profound. To live as a Jew is to move forward with eyes open to suffering, injustice, and loss. There are days when mourning is necessary. We must allow ourselves those days. And then we must rise and return to life. We must return to the work of healing, justice, and peace making.  

We live in a time of tremendous loss. Many of us carry not only grief for what has already happened but dread about what may yet come. If we refuse to experience loss, we will never experience joy.  And then we need to paint our homes, prepare our meals, and adorn ourselves. We must sustain ourselves so that we can continue the work before us, to channel our fear and anger into action and connection. Resisting despair is part of what it means to be in relationship with God. We cultivate hope not by ignoring suffering, but by seeing it clearly and continuing the work. 

The poet Adrienne Rich (from Dreams Before Waking, 1983) wrote : 

What would it mean to live in a city whose people were changing each other’s despair into hope? 

You yourself must change it. 

What would it feel like to know your country was changing? 

You yourself must change it. 

Though your life felt arduous, new, unmapped, and strange— 

What would it mean to stand on the first page of the edge of despair? 

Tishah Be’av is the beginning of the path towards the Days of Awe, when we dress ourselves and our sanctuaries in white, like a fresh page that has just been turned. We pray for a new beginning, giving voice to grief and loss while making room for hope. We remember and name the challenges we are experiencing and partner with God to renew our days for a better future.