AJR in the Community:
News and Events
Members of the AJR community are involved in community events, from organizing an interfaith group to attend the rally on behalf of victims of genocide in Darfur, to
co-sponsoring a conversation about spirituality. If you have a news item about the AJR community that you would like to share, please send it to [email protected] with the heading ‘AJR News.’
‘White Fire: A Portrait of Women Spiritual Leaders in America’ by Rabbi Malka Drucker and Gay Block
AJR ordinee Rabbi Malka Drucker discussed her latest work, White Fire: A Portrait of Women Spiritual Leaders in America, along with photographer Gay Block, who collaborated on the book, at the Manhattan JCC on Thursday, May 4, 2006. Joining in this conversation about spirituality were renowned singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman, a long-time AJR friend, and Rabbi Dr. Judith Hauptman, professor of Talmud at the Jewish Theological Seminary and an AJR rabbinic ordinee. AJR was co-sponsor of the event.
AJR and CMSV join to rally for Darfur
Working with Sister Cecilia Harriendorf (Sister Ceil) of the Office of Campus Ministries at the College of Mount St. Vincent (CMSV), AJR and CMSV filled a bus with students, faculty and friends to rally on behalf of the victims of genocide in Darfur on Sunday, April 30. Rabbinical student Margaret Frisch Klein led the coordination efforts most effectively. AJR held a minyan on the bus and later joined with CMSV in a moving interchange of teachings about social justice and the call to responding in times of crisis. The teaching was shared by Sister Ceil and Rabbi David Greenstein. Rabbinical student Arnold Saltzman, Cantor Emeritus at Congregation Adas Israel, Washington, graciously arranged for the group to have lunch at the synagogue and to tour this inspiring community center and sacred space. Many AJR students and alumni also traveled to the rally with their respective communities. We were all united in our commitment to this important cause and by our shared joy in learning and supporting one another.
Rabbi Craig Miller honored by NY Board of Rabbis
Rabbi Craig Miller, AJR Instructor in History, Rabbinics and Professional Skills, was presented on Wednesday, April 26, with the prestigious Rabbi Israel and Libby Mowshowitz Award – for reaching beyond congregational work to serve Jews and non-Jews, alike – by the New York Board of Rabbis, where he serves as Vice President. In addition to acknowledging his role as Project Director, Community Spiritual Care and Campus Connections and his extensive inter-faith chaplaincy work in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11 through Disaster Spiritual Care Services, Rabbi Miller spoke glowingly of his joy at teaching at the Academy, where a rich interplay of viewpoints is fostered. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin was the featured speaker. A friend of AJR, Rabbi Telushkin was a member of the 2001 Hanukat Ha-Bayit celebration when AJR moved into its new space on the campus of the College of Mount St. Vincent, in Riverdale.
AJR students host Inter-Seminary Dialogue
The Interseminary Dialogue is a collegium of students and others from 8 different seminaries in the greater NYC area: AJR, Jewish Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, Union Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, Yeshivah Chovevei Torah, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and St Joseph’s Seminary. These schools span the whole range of Jewish and Christian spectrums: liberal & traditional, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, & Eastern Orthodox. Overcoming previous logistical obstacles, on Monday, April 3 Academy students hosted the Dialogue for the first time, presenting on the topic, ‘Local vs. Universal Authority.’ The evening was a wonderful example of inter-faith pluralism on the highest level.
