You Are Invited!
Please join us for Hebrew College’s 2024 Gala Celebration “Branching Out. Blossoming Together” on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in-person at our shared campus in Newton. Together, we will celebrate the successful completion of our capital campaign, lift up our core values of Jewish community, learning, and creativity, and rededicate ourselves to hope.
6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception
7:30 p.m. Program
8:30 p.m. Dessert Reception
>> Click here for reservations and tributes
Honorees
Jehuda Reinharz
President and CEO
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation
Jehuda Reinharz was born in Haifa, Israel, in 1944. He received his high school education in Germany and immigrated to the United States as a teenager in 1961.
Dr. Reinharz earned concurrent bachelor’s degrees from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He earned his master’s degree in medieval Jewish history from Harvard University in 1968 and his doctorate in modern Jewish history from Brandeis University in 1972. From 1972 to 1982, he was professor of Jewish history at the University of Michigan.
In 1982, he became the Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History in the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. From 1994-2010, he served as the seventh president of Brandeis University. In January 2011, Dr. Reinharz assumed the presidency of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation.
With Jehuda’s leadership and vision, the Mandel Foundation awarded Hebrew College a challenge grant of $1 million early in our capital campaign. His early support helped galvanize our efforts, inspiring others to join, and we are thrilled to honor him as we celebrate the conclusion of the campaign and begin our next chapter.
Dr. Reinharz is the author or co-author of more than one hundred articles and thirty-four books in various languages. His Jew in the Modern World, (3rd edition 2011), co-edited with Paul Mendes-Flohr, is one of the most widely adopted college texts in modern Jewish history. His two-volume biography of Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel, has won many prizes in Israel and the United States. His current book deals with the history of the Jordan River.
Dr. Reinharz is the recipient of nine honorary doctorates. He served as chairman of the International Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science from 2018 to 2021 and serves on a number of other boards and advisory committees.
Rabbi Adina Allen `14
Cofounder and Creative Director
Jewish Studio Project
Rabbi Adina Allen ’14 is a spiritual leader, writer, and educator who grew up in an art studio where she learned firsthand the power of creativity for connecting to self and to the Sacred. She is cofounder and creative director of Jewish Studio Project (JSP), an organization that is seeding a future in which every person is connected to their creativity as a force for healing, liberation and social transformation. Hebrew College is delighted to honor Adina this year as we celebrate the role of Jewish creativity and the arts within our institution and prepare to partner with Jewish Studio Project on the launch of their work in Boston.
Based on the work of her mother, renowned art therapist Pat B. Allen, and her time in the Hebrew College beit midrash, Adina developed the Jewish Studio Process, a methodology for unlocking creativity, which she has brought to thousands of activists, educators, artists, and clergy across the country. A national media contributor, popular speaker, and workshop leader, Adina’s writing can be found in scholarly as well as mainstream publications, and on her website at www.adina-allen.com. Her original research on using creative process to generate contemporary midrash was published in the CCAR Journal in 2013 and her chapter, “What Else Could This Be?” appeared in the edited volume Creative Provocations: Speculations on the Future of Creativity, Technology & Learning, Spring Press 2023. She is a recipient of the Covenant Foundation’s 2018 Pomegranate Prize for emerging Jewish Educators and is a fellow of the Open Dor Project for spiritual Jewish entrepreneurs.
Adina’s first book, The Place of All Possibility: Cultivating Creativity Through Ancient Jewish Wisdom (Ayin Press) is forthcoming this spring. She was ordained in the Hebrew College Rabbinical School in 2014.
Adina and her family live in Berkeley, CA.
David Hoffman
Treasurer, Hebrew College Board of Trustees; Global Energy Head, Oliver Wyman, ret.
David Hoffman enjoyed a rewarding 30-year career consulting with clients worldwide as the leader of the Global Energy practice at Oliver Wyman, where he specialized in strategic planning, organization transformation, post-merger integration and operational improvement. David holds expertise in competitive diagnostics, customer/market segmentation, organization design, and growth assessment methodologies. In retirement, David pursues a diverse set of passions including studying diplomacy and fostering the perpetuation and growth of the Jewish community.
Over the past six years, David’s profound dedication to Hebrew College has helped to reshape our institution and secure our financial future. As a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, Board of Trustees, and most recently as Treasurer, his time and expertise in organization transformation and operational improvement have proved essential to Hebrew College’s success. He has been involved in the oversight and betterment of the College’s financial and operational activities, including: strategic planning, a department-by-department review and enhancement of non-philanthropic revenue, and the implementation of our new Student Information System.
Beyond Hebrew College, David’s commitment to the Jewish community of Greater Boston is evidenced by his tenure on the board of Boston University Hillel, including a stint as Finance Chair, and his consultation work with area day schools to develop growth-focused strategic plans.
David received his BS and MBA from Boston University where he was an active member of BU Hillel. David and his wife, Beryl, of more than 35 years, enjoy traveling and spending time with their two grown children, daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
Esther Award
Dr. Rachel Fish, PhD
Cofounder of the nonprofit Boundless
Rachel Fish, PhD cofounded the nonprofit Boundless, a think-action tank partnering with community leaders across North America to revitalize Israel education and take bold collective action to combat Jew-hatred. Dr. Fish also serves as Special Advisor to The Brandeis University Presidential Initiative to Counter Antisemitism in Higher Education. She is also an associate research professor at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies. In addition, Dr. Fish teaches Israeli history and society at The George Washington University as Visiting Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
Previously, Dr. Fish was the executive director of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. Rachel also served as Senior Advisor and Resident Scholar at the Paul E. Singer Foundation in New York City and Executive Director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, where she trained the next generation of academics in the field of Israel Studies.
Her dissertation, “Configurations of Bi-nationalism: The Transformation of Bi-nationalism and Palestine/Israel 1920’s-Present,” examines the history of bi-nationalism and alternative visions for constructing the State of Israel. She has served on the faculty at Brandeis University, Harvard University, and The George Washington University, and has written articles for several publications in the mainstream press and academic journals, and co-edited the book Essential Israel: Essays for the 21st Century.
Live Music
Rabbi Jessica Kate Meyer `14, Rosh Tefillah & Artist-in-Residence, and Students
Honorary Host
Suzanne Priebatsch, Hebrew College Trustee
Host Committee
Geraldine Acuña Sunshine
Susan and Aron Ain
Pat and John Allen
Rabbi Sharon and Shimon Cohen Anisfeld
Mark Atkins and Miho Sato
Jayne and Harvey Beker
Joan and Steve Belkin
Michelle and Darren Black
Helaine and Bill Braunig
Dorothea and Sheldon Buckler
Ellen Carno and Neil Liefer
Harvey and Marsha Chasen
Carol and Carl Chudnofsky
Ellen Cohen Kaplan and Jeff Kaplan
The Cutler Family
Rabbi Jevin Eagle
Ruth Ann and Edward Feinberg
Deborah and Ron Feinstein
Renée and Steven Finn
The Fish Family
Fern Fisher and Jack Eiferman
Linda and Michael Frieze
Elkan and Zelda Gamzu
The Gann Family
Laure and Hal Garnick
Mike and Catharyn Gildesgame
Louise Goldberg Citron
Lillian and Richard Gray
Harold Grinspoon and Diane Troderman
Dara and David Grossman
Louis Grossman and Amy Gerson
Sheri and Eli Gurock
Rabbi Maury Hoberman, MD
Ari, Sandra, Adam, and Ben Hoffman; Molly Hoffman; Beryl Hoffman
Elizabeth and Daniel Jick
Rabbi Dan Judson and Dr. Sandy Falk
Nancy Kaplan Belsky and Mark Belsky
Bob Karasov and Hanna Bloomfield
Jeffrey Kasowitz
Robin and Mark Kasowitz
Judith and William Kates
Rabbi Avi and Robert Killip
Drs. Edwin and Roselyn Kolodny
Michele Koppelman
Larry Kraus and Sara Smolover
Lizbeth and George Krupp
Lydia Kukoff
Alice and Rabbi Van Lanckton
Ruth Langer and Jonathan D. Sarna
Sara S. Lee
Marcia and Alan Leifer
Diana Lloyd and Jordan Hershman
Yitz Magence
Anne and Rabbi Rim Meirowitz
Annette and Michael Miller
Daniel Miller
Tara Mohr and Eric Ries
Beth and Michael Moskowitz
Myra Musicant and Howard Cohen
Jessica and Chuck Myers
Rabbi Suzanne and Andy Offit
Robin Paige Polishook
Seth Priebatsch, Daniella Priebatsch Place and Skyler Place
Suzanne Priebatsch
Shulamit Reinharz
Mara Riemer Goldstein and Robert Goldstein
Terry Rosenberg and Elliot Schildkrout
Rabbi Sonia Saltzman and Dr. Ned Saltzman
Rabbi Ma’ayan and Rick Sands
Susan and Bob Schechter
Rosalie and Jim Shane
Judy and Mark Shankman
Susan Shevitz and Lawrence Bailis
Amy and Ross Silverstein
Rabbi Becky Silverstein and Naomi Sobel
Polly Gambrill Slavet
Diana Smith and Barry Cohen
Susan and James Snider
Myra Snyder, MAJS`00, Me’ah`97 and Robert Snyder
Sarah Sonnenfeld Noked
Laurene Sperling
Carol and Steven Targum
Drs. Bob and Shari Thurer
Suzy and Herb Tobin
Julie and Steven Weil
Laura Wiessen and Rabbi Steven Lewis
Arnee R. and Walter A. Winshall
(List in formation)
Contact Rosa Franck, Director of Development, to join at rfranck@hebrewcollege.edu
Reservations & Tributes
For event reservations, please bookmark this page and watch for our online rsvp form and evite.
Reservations and sponsorships of certain levels (see below) include the opportunity to celebrate our community with a digital tribute “ad” or message. The deadline for sharing your predesigned tributes, text, and/or logos is April 17, 2024. Kindly submit your materials to mtavan@hebrewcollege.edu.
Dimensions for predesigned files (full color 300+ dpi JPEG, PDF, or EPS):
Full-page: 7.5″W x 9″H
$100,000+ Meyasdim/Founders: full-page tribute, 10 reservations
$36,000 – $99,999 Bonim/Builders: full-page tribute, 10 reservations
$20,000 – $35,000 Talmidim/Lifelong Learners: full-page tribute, 8 reservations
$10,000 – $19,999 Shutafim/Partners: full-page tribute, 8 reservations
$5,000 – $9,999 Haverim/Friends: full-page tribute, 6 reservations
$1,800 – $4,999 Yedidim/Companions: full-page tribute, 4 reservations
Half-page: 7.5″W x 4.25″H
$1,000 – $1,799 Supporters: half-page tribute, 2 guests
One-line tribute message and one reservation:
$500 – Our Cup Runneth Over
$360 – Join Us & Support Us
$180 – Join Us
Student price:
Current Hebrew College student: $54
Corporate Sponsors
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Corporate Sponsorships
Support an incredible community while gaining exposure to over 14,000 households! All Corporate Sponsors at or above $1,800 receive a full-page ad with the giving level banner in our virtual tribute book, recognition at the event and online, and entrance to the in-person celebration.
Shutafim/Partners: $10,000 to $19,999
Haverim/Friends: $5,000 to $9,999
Yedidim/Companions: $1,800 to $4,999
Supporters: $1,000 to $1,799
Additional levels and benefits are available. Please contact Mia Tavan at mtavan@hebrewcollege.edu with questions or to submit your high-resolution logo and tribute book text. Thank you!
Event Committee
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld
Nancy Kaplan Belsky
Rosa Franck
Laure Garnick
Rabbi Dan Judson
Wendy Linden
Rabbi Jessica Lowenthal `19
Suzanne Priebatsch
Rabbi Or Rose
Susan Schechter
Myra Snyder
Monica Steiner
Carol Targum
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld has been president of 
Free Monthly GROW Program
Learn more about Dr. Susie Tanchel
In Why Rain Comes From Above: Explorations in Religious Imagination, Devora Steinmetz invites the reader into the imaginative space created by deep engagement with biblical and rabbinic texts. Each of these six poetic and scholarly essays leads us through a web of texts, drawing us into stories, images, and experiences that open us to new ways of thinking and to new worlds of meaning. Steinmetz’s explorations show us how imaginative engagement as a form of religious reading can transform our relationship to the world around us, awaken us to the ethical commitments to which we are called, and give us ways of thinking about our lives, our world, and God.
Devora Steinmetz serves on the faculties of the 
Legacy: A Woman of Two Worlds
Frances Miller, born in 1921, was a daughter of an eminent orthodox rabbi, dedicated to her Jewish identity, and a creative, artistic woman integrated in the modern art world. Her family life was grounded in tradition, practice, and study. In high school, she attended Prozdor at Hebrew College, where she completed four years of advanced training. She also graduated from Massachusetts College of Art, where she was trained in fine arts and technical design.
Anat Halevy Hochberg 
Jessica Kate Meyer `14, Hebrew College Rosh Tefillah & Artist-in-Residence, is a prayer leader, storyteller, vocalist, and rabbi, who served as rabbi-hazzan at Romemu in NYC, and most recently, at The Kitchen in San Francisco. She has studied sacred Jewish music with masters from Ashkenazi and Mizrahi traditions and has performed as a vocalist with ensembles in the United States and Israel. In a previous life, Jessica appeared in film, theater, and television projects in Europe and the United States: most notably, as a principal role in the Oscar-winning film, The Pianist.
Fabio Pirozzolo is an Italian drummer, multi-percussionist and singer currently based in Boston, Massachusetts. Originally from Terracina, Italy, he started his career as a folk percussionist, playing Italian frame drums tamburello and tammorra, in one of the most famous folk groups in his area. Fabio performs in virtually any genre of music from jazz to world music to rock. He’s the co-founder of the world music ensembles 
