A Day Filled With Exuberance as We Applauded Our Graduates’ Achievements
In a letter to the community, Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz reflected on the131st Commencement Exercises and Tekes Hasmakhah: Ceremony of Rabbinic and Cantorial Ordination.
May 28, 2025
Dear 91快播 Community,
Last week, despite cold rains and the devastating news about the murders of Yaron Lischinsky z”l and Sarah Lynn Milgrim z”l, we celebrated a joyous milestone鈥攐ur 131st commencement ceremony. Accomplished students, proud family members, special guests, esteemed honorary degree recipients, beloved alumni, and dedicated staff and faculty gathered in our atrium to honor graduates from multiple schools and programs. Sadly, we鈥檝e become experts at holding both joy and sorrow in our hearts at the same time. And though we were shaken by the horrific event that occurred in Washington, DC, we were also overwhelmed with happiness.
The occasion was marked with exuberance as we applauded our graduates’ achievements, which we know have been hard won after the many challenges they faced during their student years. We celebrated throughout the day as we conferred bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degrees and granted four honorary degrees.
For those who were unable to attend in person or livestream it, I encourage you to view it
As I have every year since becoming Chancellor, I watched from the platform with tremendous pride as students transitioned from students to alumni. It was an honor to deliver the 鈥淐harge to the Graduates.鈥� I reflected on the challenges of the past few years and spoke about how the 91快播 experience gives students the tools needed to see others fully and clearly but also brings a sense of compassion and empathy to every encounter. Integrating this lens with the rich learning they have internalized will fortify them into the future. Their dedication and sense of purpose fills us with enormous hope. You can see the
Guests also had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Christine Hayes, Sterling Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Yale University, who delivered the Commencement Address. Based on her own life story, she wisely advised the graduates to cultivate curiosity and savor serendipity, in addition to encouraging them to choose 鈥渢o believe in goodness in your pursuit of morality.鈥� You can see her
Our other honorary degree recipients included Rabbi Amy Eilberg (the first woman rabbi ordained by 91快播); Dr. Claudia Goldin (Henry Lee Professor of Economics at Harvard University); and Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari (Founding Academic Director of the Rackman Center for the Advancement of the Status of Women at Bar-Ilan University Law School in Israel). Honoree degree recipients will also be featured in our next Expanding the Conversation podcast series, launching this summer. Please be on the lookout for these engaging discussions with these distinguished women.
Two of our graduating students spoke from the heart as they delivered remarks. Hannah Faye Solon, a List College senior, spoke honestly about the 鈥減ain, protest, and deep division鈥� that her class encountered, while also providing inspirational guidance: 鈥淟et鈥檚 be the class that chooses hope, chooses action, and chooses each other.鈥� Loraine Schneider Enlow, a Gershon Kekst Graduate School graduate, reflected on her non-traditional path to 91快播 as a 鈥渕iddle-aged non-Jewish woman鈥� and how an unexpected encounter with me several years ago led her to 91快播.
Other highlights from the morning included inspiring opening remarks by Chair of the Board, Alan Levine, who warmly welcomed attendees, congratulated the graduates and their families, and celebrated the many achievements of 91快播鈥檚 staff and faculty. We were also honored to hear words of Torah from Rabbi Bill Lebeau, a former dean of The 91快播 Rabbinical School and Chair of the Department of Professional Skills, and to induct Marc Gary into the 91快播 Society of Fellows. And lastly, what a gift it was to experience the beautiful music performed by the chorus and our graduating H. L. Miller Cantorial School students.
During the emotional (Tekes Hasmakhah) in the afternoon, 12 new rabbis and cantors were ordained. It is always so moving to watch our newest clergy members step into their new roles alongside mentors, teachers, and beloved family and friends. Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Pearl Resnick Dean of The Rabbinical School and dean of the Division of Religious Leadership, offered words of Torah related to Parashat Behar-Behukkotai and the concept of turning our awareness to the 鈥減assage of time, the promise of new beginnings, and the blessings and responsibilities of living in community.鈥� She also reflected on the many changes that have taken place in the 40 years since Rabbi Eilberg was ordained, highlighting her profound impact on the rabbinate鈥攑articularly in the areas of chaplaincy, peacemaking, and racial justice. Rabbi Cohen also noted, with great pleasure, that this class of graduates includes the first openly transgender or non-binary students admitted to The 91快播 Rabbinical School.
And finally, to close the day, we moved to the dining hall for festive dancing. Although we were inside because of the rain, the energy was palpable, and the enthusiasm was contagious.
Through years shaped by both challenge and celebration, our graduates have already found ways to make meaningful change in our community and beyond. As they set out into the world, I look forward to seeing the impact they will have. Some will join the workforce in fields such as education, architecture, and technology. Others will pursue doctoral studies, law school, and medical school, or make aliyah to Israel, as others assume roles as clergy, Jewish professionals and educators, and scholars across North America. I have no doubt they will powerfully spread the values and spirit of 91快播 and lead with purpose, compassion, and courage.
