34
P
hillip Bollinger’s journey began on his parents’ dairy farm
in Lancaster, PA. With a B.A. from Moody Bible Insti-
tute, an undergraduate year of study at Hebrew University’s
Rothberg International School, and an M.A. from Gordon
Conwell Theological Seminary, he arrived at HUC-JIR to
pursue a doctorate in the Hebrew Bible and its context.
“
The Klau library is indispensable for my studies,”
he
describes.
“
Its resources for the study of the Hebrew
Bible and the languages and cultures of the ancient Near
East, as well as the Jewish history of interpretation of
the Bible, are vital for my weekly course work and final
papers.
I utilize the Klau library’s language resources on
a weekly, if not daily, basis for my translation and analysis
of ancient texts. Its depth of resources also allows me to
consult a wide range of modern and ancient writers/com-
mentators when researching biblical passages or topics.”
When it comes to being an interfaith student at HUC-JIR,
Bollinger explains, “I can witness and participate first
hand in how a religious community different from my own
is investigating and understanding biblical text. It chal-
lenges me to remember that the texts I am studying have
shaped my own faith community as well as other faith
communities through the ages these continue to impact
how we seek to understand ourselves in the present.”
Phillip Bollinger
Graduate Studies Student/Cincinnati
S
econd-year cantorial student Ellerin brings a special
gift – the capacity to compose new music reflecting
contemporary Jewish experience.
Ellerin first began writing classical music around the time
of his
bar mitzvah
and went to Indiana University for his
Bachelor’s degree in Music and Jewish Studies. While
pursuing his Master of Music in Conducting there, he
encountered the overwhelming prevalence of Christian-
influenced choral music and began to imagine how he
could apply his creativity and Jewish identity to enriching
this repertoire.
He was inspired by the passage “
Dodi Li v’Ani Lo
”
from
Shir
Hashirim
(
The Song of Songs) to compose a choral piece.
“
Its romantic and expressive language appealed to me and
provided a link to my Jewish roots during my internship
with the Grand Rapids Symphony.”
Shortly thereafter, he came to the realization that the
cantorate was his destined path. “I realized I might never
make a real difference in anyone’s life as a classical musi-
cian, but knew that as a cantor I would have the unique
opportunity to interact with people in a meaningful and
musical way.”
It was during his audition for admission to the cantorial
program that he shared his composition with the faculty.
Three short years later, Joyce Rosenzweig, Artist-in-Resi-
dence, decided to include Ellerin’s choral piece in the
musical materials for her Choir class.
“
The moment my
second- and third-year classmates took the notes on the
page and gave them life fulfilled some of my greatest
hopes as a future cantor – to share new music, inspire
others, and contribute to the world of Jewish music.”
Ben Ellerin
Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music Student/New York
Ph.D. student Phillip Bollinger examines the biblical
archaeology artifacts at HUC-JIR’s Archaeology
Center and the Skirball Museum/Cincinnati for his
studies in the Hebrew Bible and its context.
