HEBREW UNION COLLEGE - JEWISH INSTITUTE OF RELIGION
The Academic, Spiritual and Professional Development Center for Reform Judaism

Rosh Hashana Greeting

5759 begins in an exciting and challenging way. The spirit at all our sites is high with a renewed sense of possibility and achievement. We have begun the slow but invigorating process of adding new faculty. The Board of Governors has affirmed the new statement of vision and principles, and the new mission statement. The short and long-term recommendations are now being placed into the hands of committees for discussion, planning and implementation. We are moving forward.

This year we celebrate the 35th anniversary of our Jerusalem school, the 35th anniversary of our Irwin Daniels School of Jewish Communal Service and the 50th anniversary of our School of Sacred Music. We are planning for our 125th anniversary in the year 2000-2001. This is an important time in the life of our College-Institute family.

Yet, major challenges remain. We must expand our development and fund raising efforts, substantially increase our endowment and create fiscal security for the future of our dreams and hopes. Standards in all our programs must be raised. We are continuing to enhance the religious nature of our community. Our work in advancing our technological capabilities is in process, but much more is required. The challenge of integrating our sites, faculty and curriculum, administrative and financial matters, and community, is underway. So much remains to be accomplished. But we proceed with optimism and hope.

As this new year begins, we pray for health, strength and wisdom in all that we do. As God blessed those who came before us, may we too be blessed with courage, insight and vision. May this year be one of both promise and achievement, dreams and realization.

Judy and our entire family joins me in warmest wishes for a shanah tovah umetukah - a good and sweet year!

Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman, President