Susan C. Bass, Immediate Past President of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), was elected to the Board of Governors of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion at its meeting on March 24, 2021.
“Susan Bass brings her passionate commitment to Reform Judaism and extensive leadership expertise to her governance role at HUC-JIR. Her guidance will strengthen our mission of preparing leaders to ensure the Jewish education, engagement, and identity of the next generations,” stated Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., HUC-JIR President.
An Atlanta native, currently living in Houston, Bass has had a lifelong association with the institutions of the Reform Movement. Beginning with her Temple Youth Group, she has been involved in many capacities at The Temple in Atlanta, and has served on the Boards of the Union for Reform Judaism and WRJ, where she encouraged recruitment and mentorship of rising leaders, many of whom are in leadership positions today. From 2010-11, she actively participated in the Reform Movement Think Tank, charged to envision the landscape of Reform Judaism in North America in 2020, and beyond.
Susan is a member of Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, serves on the Worship Committee, and is a regular participant in the Saturday morning minyan. An active congregant, she is involved with the sisterhood and sings in the volunteer choir.
Professionally, Susan taught school for eight years, spent seven years planning and helping stage the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, then worked in Consulting as a Certified Instructor and Administrative Manager.