Each year, Hebrew College educates and inspires thousands of graduate, professional, youth and adult learners with a love of Torah and Jewish life. That love will be the central theme of this year’s Hebrew College Spring Event: “Leadership, Learning and Love.”

“Hebrew College is about leadership and learning, but it’s also about a commitment to pluralism, to each other and beyond, which is a commitment rooted in love,” said Rabbi Sonia Saltzman, Rabbinical School alumna and co-chair of the event.

“We’re going to talk about meaning and purpose with some amazing Jewish thought-leaders, be inspired by music and honor and celebrate two beloved individuals, Rabbi Rim Meirowitz and Jill Segal z”l, both of whom represent Hebrew College’s commitment to leadership, learning and love,” added Rabbi Suzanne Offit, co-chair of the event and fellow Rabbinical School alumna.

The event, which will be held on the evening of Wednesday, April 29, at Temple Israel Boston, will feature “What’s Love Got to Do With It?,” a lively conversation moderated by Rabbi Marc Baker, president and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, with four Jewish thought-leaders:

There will also be inspiring Jewish music by:

  • Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer, Hebrew College alumnus and rabbi/chazzan at The Kitchen in San Francisco
  • Cantor Lynn Torgove, head of vocal arts at Hebrew College
  • Cantor Becky Wexler Khitrik, Hebrew College alumnus and cantor at Temple Sinai in Sharon

The evening’s theme is fitting for honoree Rabbi Meirowitz, rabbi emeritus at Temple Shir Tikva in Winchester and the first head of The Rashi School, who personifies leadership, learning and love in the ways he has been a mentor, teacher and guide to so many students at Hebrew College and so many people throughout Greater Boston, say Rabbis Offit and Saltzman.

Jillian Segal z”l, a rabbinical student and devoted student of Torah and teacher of courage and kindness, will be honored with Hebrew College’s Esther Award, which is given annually to a woman who embodies Hebrew College’s commitment to Jewish learning and leadership for a pluralistic world and whose achievements as a communal and philanthropic leader have enriched the Hebrew College community through her passion for Jewish learning and living.

“Jill sadly passed away when she was in the middle of realizing her dream of becoming a rabbi,” Rabbi Offit said. “We are honoring Jill because she was a unique, strong, gentle soul with fierce love—a fierce love for her family and for Torah learning. Even in her life’s denouement, she held on to love.”

At a time when there is so much discord in the world, Rabbis Offit and Saltzman anticipate an event filled with hope and healing for all those who attend. “I feel like it’s an effort of self-care for people to come—to be inspired by ideas, and music is very healing for the soul,” Rabbi Offit said.

They have named the event leadership committee in that vein—calling it the “Hope Committee” rather than “host committee.” “We can’t keep doing our work unless we have support,” she added. “The members of the Hope Committee are the people who are standing up loud and strong in support of Hebrew College, in support of the many ways in which it brings hope to this broken world.”

“We want to make sure every moment people choose to spend with us is worthwhile, that they learn something and feel embraced by the love of the Hebrew College community” Rabbi Offit said. “’Leadership, Learning and Love’ will be a spiritual and sound extravaganza for the soul. We’re going to give you hors d’oeuvres for your stomach, but your souls will have an overwhelming buffet of uplifting music and inspiring ideas.”

Please visit our event page for more information about the event. If you would like to reserve tickets, you may fill out our secure online reservation form or contact Mia Tavan by April 17. Learn about corporate sponsorship opportunities here.

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