A Note from Dana Raucher

At The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, we believe in the power of ideas, and we support thought leaders who infuse Jewish life with intellectual dynamism. In this newsletter, we highlight several of those thought leaders.

We want to take the opportunity to congratulate, Rabbi Jeffrey A. Summit, Neubauer Executive Director of Hillel at Tufts University. Rabbi Summit has been an inspiration to generations of college students, and continues to be a leading thought leader in the Hillel movement. Earlier this month, Rabbi Summit received the inaugural Edgar M. Bronfman Award at Hillel's Annual Renaissance Dinner. This award was established by Hillel International, in collaboration with The Samuel Bronfman Foundation, to celebrate Edgar's legacy as the Founder of Hillel's International Board of Governors. Rabbi Summit's deep and passionate devotion to thousands of Jewish students at Tufts University for the last 35 years, is a true testament to his commitment to serving and empowering the next generation of leaders.

We are privileged that clear vision and strong leadership continue to emerge from our grantee organizations. It is institutions such as The Bronfman Fellowships and The Shalom Hartman Institute that help educate our professionals and enlighten their vision through intellectually-honest and stimulating Jewish learning. Please read on to learn more about some of the fresh ideas that have been generated.

We wish you all a stimulating and regenerative summer
!

Sincerely,

Dana Raucher

 

Letter from Dana Raucher


Becky Voorwinde reflects on the Pew Study: Kiddush Cup Half Full or Half Empty?

Rabbi Mishael Zion- A Tale of Two Zions

Judaism, Democracy and the Ethics of Inclusion

Bronfmanim Featured in the Jewish Week's 36 Under 36



For Young Adults Who Can't Access Hillel, Where Is Jewish Life?

The Language of the Jewish Future: Israelish, Americanish, Yeshivish


Launching A Baseline For Jewish Knowledge

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Jeffrey A. Summit of Tufts Hillel

No, LGBT Inclusion Isn't Just Window-Dressing



 
   
 
 

Becky Voorwinde reflects on the Pew Study: Kiddush Cup Half Full or Half Empty?

Earlier this year, Becky Voorwinde, Co-Director of The Bronfman Youth Fellowships joined Dr. Steve Bayme, National Director of Jewish Communal Affairs at the American Jewish Committee (AJC), in a conversation about the Pew Study, moderated by Stuart Ginsburg, Committee Chair of AJC Westchester.
Becky and Steven each shared their reflections on big topics covered by the study including intermarriage and conversion. They also addressed how America's welcoming presence affects Jewish engagement and the value in having Jewish experiences that are not necessarily coming from a religious lens. The conversation was filmed by Shalom TV and can be watched in its entirety here
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Rabbi Mishael Zion- A Tale of Two Zions

In May, Rabbi Mishael Zion's ELI talk went live on YouTube. Through his grandparents' journey, Mishael, co-Director of The Bronfman Youth Fellowships, describes both Israel and America as being promised lands for the Jewish people. He claims that "as we face the challenges of the 21st century, we must look not only to our own story but at the other promised land, which challenges, criticizes and inspires us to be better." Click here to watch the full talk.

 
 
   
 
 

Judaism, Democracy and the Ethics of Inclusion

In light of the Conference of President of Major Jewish Organization's recent vote to not admit J Street, The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America convened Jewish communal professionals, educators and rabbis for a special iEngage one-day conference entitled, Judaism, Democracy and The Ethics of Inclusion. The purpose of the event was to gather and use text as a vehicle to discuss and consider what consensus might mean in an age of fragmentation, how it relates to Israel and America, and the ethics and politics of managing diversity. You can watch a few of the sessions via the Shalom Hartman's website.

Steven Cohen: Guns and Jews - The Challenge of Consensus Politics
Elana Stein Hein: The Inevitability of Dissent: A Rabbinic Case Study


 
 
   
 
 

Bronfmanim Featured in the Jewish Week's 36 Under 36

This year's 36 under 36 list included three BYFI alumni. The Foundation extends a hearty mazal tov to Anya Kamenetz ('97), NPR reporter and author of Generation Debt, Ariela Rothstein ('05), a teacher at East Brooklyn Community High School, and Mikaela Gerwin ('13), who has been working to create an interfaith partnership at The Heschel School! Read more about their impact and the ideas they are spreading throughout the Jewish community here.