Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Welcomes New Cohort of Golden Hanassi Fellows

New York, NY (September 25, 2024) - Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) is proud to announce the new cohort of Golden Hanassi Fellows for the 2024-2025 academic year. Established more than a decade ago through the generosity of Suzanne and John Golden and the Golden Family Foundation, the Golden Hanassi Fellowship strengthens the bonds between Israeli and North American Reform Jewish communities by providing Israel Rabbinical Program students with the opportunity to serve in Reform congregations across the United States and be mentored by leading rabbis.

"We are excited to introduce a new cohort of Fellows who will build important relationships with rabbis and help connect the North American and Israeli Jewish communities, continuing our commitment to strengthening the global Reform Movement," said Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D, President, HUC-JIR. "At this challenging moment for Jewish communities in Israel, North America, and around the world, the Golden Hanassi Fellowship is more critical than ever to our work in providing cross-cultural learning and understanding, that ultimately strengthens the Jewish People and Reform Jewish life."

Established in 2012 by Suzanne and John Golden and the Golden Family Foundation under the leadership of Former HUC-JIR Dean Rabbi Naamah Kelman, and in coordination with Rabbi Elliot Kleinman, the Golden Hanassi Fellowship brings Israeli rabbinical students to North American Reform congregations for immersive mentorship residencies. Paired with senior rabbinic mentors, Fellows participate in congregational life, including leading services, providing pastoral care, and managing educational initiatives - gaining valuable cross-cultural insights.

Almost a quarter of the 129 rabbis ordained to date by the Israel Rabbinical Program have already been supported by the Golden Hanassi Fellowship with additional Fellows expected to follow. HUC-JIR's Israel Rabbinical Program is set to ordain seven new Reform rabbis on November 7.

"The Golden Hanassi Fellowship offers Israeli rabbinical students a transformative experience to immerse themselves in the wisdom and practices of established North American rabbis," said Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste, Director of the Israel Rabbinical Program. "This program is essential in fusing the gap between two vibrant expressions of Reform Judaism, deepening cross-cultural understanding and leadership."

The 2024-2025 cohort includes:

• Yael Schweid will join Rabbi Joel Mosbacher at Temple Shaaray Tefila in New York City in October 2024, and Spring 2025.
• Rabbi Yael Katz Ben Yitzhak will join Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz at Temple Beth Sholom in Miami for two visits in November 2024 and March 2025.
• Rabbi Tamir Nir will join Rabbi Jill Maderer, Rabbi Eli Freedman, and Cantor Brad Hyman at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia in November 2024, and June 2025
• Smadar Bilik will join the clergy team at North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, IL, in March 2025, and in the Fall of 2025

Rabbis Katz Ben Yitzhak and Bilik will extend both their visits to allow them to attend the Central Conference of American Rabbis convention in Chicago in March 2025.

"We are proud of the Hanassi Fellowship's impact over the last decade," said John Golden, Emeritus Member of the HUC-JIR Board of Governors. "This program not only educates the Fellows, but also reinforces the bond between progressive Jewish communities in Israel and the U.S. Suzanne and I are excited to support this new group of students, who will be the future leaders of Jewish life."

If you would like to learn more about hosting a future Hanassi Fellow or supporting the Fellows program to strengthen relationships between Israel and North American Reform Communities, please contact Melissa Greenberg, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion was founded in 1875 to provide rabbinical training for those who would offer progressive, enlightened, and modern spiritual leadership for the new American pulpit. Today, HUC-JIR is an international center of applied Jewish wisdom with a global reach and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism. Learn more at HUC.edu.

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