Hebrew Union College (HUC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $57,300 by Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ)’s YES Fund. This funding will contribute to student scholarships for all campuses and programs, the Israel Rabbinical Program, the Rabbi Sally J. Priesand Award for a graduating Cincinnati student of any program, and the biannual HUC-JIR Faculty Award.
The strong and mutually supportive partnership between HUC and WRJ dates back to WRJ’s founding and its early support for the College, including raising the money in the 1920s to build a student dormitory on our Cincinnati campus. HUC produces visionary Jewish leaders who engage in the WRJ-supported work of the URJ and Reform Judaism throughout North America, in Israel, and worldwide.
“For over 100 years, WRJ has provided support to students at HUC through our YES (Youth, Education, Special Projects) Fund, and we are proud to continue this tradition in support of our future leaders,” said Rabbi Marla Feldman ‘85, Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism.
As an annual donor, WRJ has provided millions of dollars in funds for HUC students since its founding in 1913. This funding has allowed students to receive the tuition aid they needed to pursue their studies. These students have gone on to become Reform Jewish leaders who provide counseling, education, spiritual guidance, administrative leadership, and other services essential to the robust Reform Jewish communities and the global Jewish people.
Since 1997, WRJ has also regularly funded HUC’s Israel Rabbinical Program. Every dollar invested in our program supports the education of an individual who will contribute to a better, more inclusive Israeli society. Every dollar goes a long way toward helping both native-born Israeli Jews and olim fulfill their dreams of serving their Jewish communities as Reform rabbis. Since 1980, our Israel Rabbinical Program has ordained 115 Reform Israeli rabbis who have gone on to serve in a rich variety of institutions and organizations as congregational leaders, counselors, educators, spiritual guides, and mentors.
“The College-Institute is deeply grateful to Women of Reform Judaism for their century-long commitment and generous support for our students, who uphold and transmit the values of egalitarianism, pluralism, inclusion, and justice to communities throughout North America, Israel, and around the world,” shared Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., HUC President.
For the academic year 2021-2022, WRJ has granted the following: $45,000 for scholarship awards to up to six rabbinical, cantorial, education, and nonprofit management students across our three stateside campuses; $10,000 to support our Israel Rabbinical Program; $500 for the annual Rabbi Sally J. Priesand Award for a graduating Cincinnati student (any program); and $1800 for the biannual HUC-JIR Faculty Award.
In addition, WRJ will continue their support by providing a copy of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary to every stateside student and a copy of Dabri Torah to every Israeli student.