Hebrew College President David Gordis to Step Down June 2008

NEWTON (June 29) -- David Gordis, the president of Hebrew College, has decided to step down next June, after serving as head of the College since 1993, it was announced today. He informed the Board of Trustees of his decision earlier this week.

“President Gordis has been a visionary leader for this institution,” said Ted Cutler, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Under his distinguished leadership, the College has grown from a small, respected local institution for Jewish educators into a national institution that is playing a pivotal role in training the next generation of Jewish leaders.”

During the past 14 years, he guided the development of a number of new programs, including the transdenominational Rabbinical School, now entering its fifth year, and Me’ah, a two-year adult learning program that is now a national model.

Hebrew College also launched an innovative Cantor-Educator Program, significantly expanded the Prozdor Hebrew High School, and formed Hebrew College Online.

Dr. Gordis led the effort to build the College’s new campus in Newton Centre—Hebrew College’s home since December 2001—and has promoted interreligious collaborations with neighboring Andover Newton Theological School.

Cutler announced that he will chair an independent search committee of board members, Hebrew College faculty and staff, community leaders and academic representatives from other colleges and universities to help select the next president.

The College will engage the services of a national executive search firm to help identify a new leader and to ensure a smooth transition, with a president in place by July 1, 2008.

“It has been a privilege and a joy to work with colleagues, both lay leaders and professionals, to create what is a genuinely unique institution in the Jewish world,” said Dr. Gordis.

“I am convinced that under its new president, Hebrew College will continue moving forward to attain ever greater prominence and will evolve as an extraordinary institution that bridges the academic world and the community, generating the energy needed to sustain the creative vitality of Jewish life.”

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Press Contact:
Evelyn Herwitz
617-559-8732
eherwitz@hebrewcollege.edu



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