My family first joined a small Reform synagogue in South
Windsor, CT, just before my
bat mitzvah
,”
recalls Christina
Hughes. “Feeling like I ‘missed the boat’ on a typical Sunday
School experience, I have since sought many different avenues
to deepening my Jewish education and connection to the
Jewish community.” After completing the joint B.A. program
at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary,
where she majored in Bible, the call of the rabbinate brought
this triathlete to HUC-JIR.
Hughes notes that “from my first year at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem,
where I studied side-by-side with first-year rabbinical, cantor-
ial, and education students, I have found a community of
friends and future colleagues to share my journey.” Now a
second-year rabbinical student, she is continuing to enjoy the
benefits of shared intellectual pursuits through her
hevruta
learning partners. Her advanced standing in Hebrew pairs her
with study partners who are third- and fourth- year classmates
in the rabbinical program.
“
As we study together, interpret-
ing the text and exploring diverse perspectives, we benefit
from each other’s understandings and deepen our own con-
nections.
Hevruta
i
s a real highlight of my HUC-JIR life.”
Looking toward the future, Hughes is leaning toward an
academic career and would like to pursue a Ph.D. after her
ordination. “My hope is to teach advanced Jewish studies
on a university campus one day, where I can help mentor
the next generation of young Jews,” she says.
26
After working in corporate arts marketing
for over a decade, and a career as a per-
former in theater, cabaret, and club singing,
I knew I wanted to make a change and connect
with others through music, but in a deeper
way,” recalls Nancy Bach. “I walked into the
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and heard the
most gorgeous, rich music. I could feel it in
my heart, and I thought if synagogue music
can be like this, I want to do this.”
She points to the rigor modeled by her teach-
ers and mentors as an essential ingredient in
her future cantorate. “Having a core of deep
knowledge, thought, and dedication to the
material will enable me to be a strong leader.”
Her own spirituality is nurtured through her
study of liturgy as well as the daily services
led by students, “one of the most fertile places
to spark my own imagination of what worship
can be.” In addition, Bach is actively involved
with the new Spirituality Initiative at the New
York campus.
“
Conversations with my own Spiritual
Director and text study with leaders from
the Institute for Jewish Spirituality lead to
conversations about where God fits into the
small moments of life, of finding holiness as
we go through the week. I now have a daily
Jewish meditation practice that strengthens
my connection to God, which is at the heart
of everything.”
Nancy Bach
Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music Student/New York
“
Christina Hughes
Rabbinical Student/Cincinnati
Cantorial student Nancy Bach nurtures
her spirituality during student-led
services that inspire new worship
strategies for her student pulpit at the
Heights Synagogue, Brooklyn, NY.
Rabbinical student Christina Hughes (center) with her
hevruta
study partners Michael Harvey and Marina Tecktiel.
“
