Learning Together

MA in Jewish Professional Studies North American Cohort with Spertus President Dr. Dean P. Bell (back row, bright blue mask) and Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Keren E. Fraiman (back row, far left). We’ve been told on good authority that there are big smiles under those masks! Photo by Barry Kafka.

Feedback from our Fall Seminar

Students completed the seminar feeling galvanized, inspired, and with a new sense of comradery. We know because they told us. In a post-seminar survey, 90% of participants said they felt energized by the seminar and the great majority felt part of a community of learning.

What did they like best?

Being with their cohort—and meeting others Learning together Lively discussions Access to world-class faculty The thoughtfulness of the Spertus staff

Plans for our Spring Seminar

New for this seminar, unique cross-program, cross-cohort mini-courses are being presented on a diverse range of timely topics, all related to the Jewish experience, all taught by talented faculty members at the top of their fields.

Among the mini-courses being offered:

What is Jewish Spirituality? with Rabbi Josh Feigelson, Executive Director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality

People of the Comic Book with New Yorker cartoonist Ken Krimstein (see p23)

Judaism, the Earth, and Climate Change with Dr. Rachel Havrelock, Director, Freshwater Lab at UIC

When Change is the Only Constant with Dr. Claire Sufrin, co-author of the award-winning New Jewish Canon

Fairytales, Fables & Fantasies in Holocaust Film & Fiction with Dr. Danny Cohen, Professor, Northwestern University, and specialist, Holocaust memory

Talking about Jesus with Jews and Christians with Rabbi Dr. Devorah Schoenfeld, Professor of Theology, Loyola University

North Beach, CA Building an online community celebrating Jewish food (with a book soon to follow)

Seattle, WA Raising funds to support Jewish educators

Spertus alumni spark change in communities across the United States and around the globe

Their work advances the capacities of day schools, camps, synagogues, educational institutions, advocacy organizations, foundations, and social service organizations, impacting every aspect of Jewish life.

Winnipeg, Canada Fostering user-friendly opportunities for Jewish education

Denver, CO Helping teens chart Jewish journeys Northbrook, IL Creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities and special needs

Eagle River, WI Developing safe ways to open summer camp during the pandemic that set an example for camp openings worldwide

Los Angeles, CA Raising money to support LA’s Holocaust Museum

La Jolla, CA Constructing a vital leadership pipeline for women in communal organizations

Scottsdale, AZ Engaging Jewish teens and young adults through youth and Hillel programming

Austin, TX Developing cutting-edge Jewish arts and cultural programs