NSU, Hebrew College to Work Together

Standing: Dr. Barry Silverman, NSU Board of Trustees; Harold Wishna, Director, Hebrew College South; Dr. Irv Rosenbaum, Vice Chancellor, NSU-HPD. Sitting: Dr. David M. Gordis, President, Hebrew College, and Ray Ferrero, Jr., President, NSU.

In a move that will expand Jewish educational opportunities in South Florida, NSU and Boston’s Hebrew College signed a collaborative agreement between the two academic institutions.  Plans call for the training of early childhood education and day school teachers, Hebrew language and Jewish studies courses for graduate and undergraduate students, and adult learning and professional training programs. Under discussion for more than a year, the collaboration is expected to create a center for Jewish education and learning in South Florida, the second largest Jewish community in the United States.

“This collaboration with Hebrew College complements the coursework NSU currently provides that celebrates diversity.  We are proud to be involved in helping to keep the rich traditions and educational philosophies of the Jewish religion thriving in our community,” said President Ferrero. 
According to Dr. Gordis, president of Hebrew College, “We have a distinct need for more trained teachers and administrators for Jewish day schools and affiliated educational entities, including adult Jewish learning centers. This collaboration couldn’t come at a better time.”

The first classes offered by the two schools will begin in the spring semester. Adult community education programs, including the nationally-recognized Me’ah program which exposes students to core Jewish texts and scholarly secondary sources through reading, lectures and discussion, are expected to be offered later in the year. Among those working closely with the two presidents in the creation of the collaboration are Harold Wishna, director of Hebrew College South; NSU-HPD Chancellor Fred Lippman, NSU-HPD Vice Chancellor Irv Rosenbaum, and Rabbi Zachary Heller, associate director of Hebrew College’s National Center for Jewish Policy Studies.

Hebrew College, a leader in transdenominational Jewish education since 1921, provides graduate and undergraduate study and prepares students for careers in the rabbinate, cantorate, Jewish education, and communal professions.

View the Hebrew College Signing Ceremony Photo Gallery