Last week, JTS’s MFA in Creative Writing welcomed audiences to its second year of SPOILER: The Unpredictable Storytelling Festival. Over two spontaneous nights, Etgar Keret (MFA Director), Ira Glass, Françoise Mouly, and David Remnick discussed the rich (and sometimes fraught) relationship between art and friendship and provided exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at their collaboration experiences. At a book signing following the event, audiences had the opportunity to meet the storytellers and to buy books from some of the MFA program’s esteemed faculty mentors.

Kicking off the festival on September 8, long-time collaborators Etgar Keret and Ira Glass welcomed a sold-out audience to JTS. The two have been close friends and collaborators for over twenty years, and Etgar Keret is a frequent guest on Ira Glass’s public radio show, This American Life. In an energetic conversation featuring audience participation, the two discussed writing about their parents, the differences between fiction and journalism, and whether Ira Glass should attend services despite not believing in God (spoiler: the answer was a resounding yes!). A few lucky guests were also chosen at random to watch the show from seats on the stage.

Photos: Nitzan Keynan

The following day on September 9, The New Yorker editor David Remnick and The New Yorker art editor Françoise Mouly treated JTS audiences to an inside look at how they pick the magazine’s iconic weekly covers. Exploring covers from across The New Yorker‘s history, the two spotlighted a few past experiences, including the challenges of picking a cover for the first issue following 9/11, unexpected cover controversies and viral moments, and how they might make different decisions today. They also disagreed and agreed in real time and had a spirited debate on the future of print magazines and adapting to the digital age.

Photos: Nitzan Keynan

Over the week, MFA in Creative Writing students were also in attendance for their fall residency on campus. This hallmark of the MFA program included 18 returning students in their second year and a new class of 16 students. Alongside workshops, classes, and craft lectures, students shared time together on campus and took part in the energy of JTS’s first day of the new academic year. Wearing baseball caps marked “Unreliable Narrator,” a few students handed out samples of their writing to the SPOILER audiences. We wish them all a vibrant and productive semester ahead, and we look forward to welcoming them again in the winter.

Photo: Nitzan Keynan

Interested in applying for next year’s MFA? Learn more here.

Yesterday, JTS held its first day of classes. 3080 Broadway buzzed with infectious energy, and our faculty and staff joyfully welcomed both new and returning faces, including students taking online classes.

To commemorate the day, students, staff, and faculty took #JTSFirstDay photos. Participants represented the many programs and divisions from across JTS. These included students in our MFA in Creative Writing, who were on campus for their in-person residency; Dr. Natan Meir, the recently appointed Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian; and numerous other students, staff, and faculty. Two List College students, who have taken first day photos together since they were freshmen, kicked off their final year at List with a senior photo.

Check out some of the photos below.

Thank you to everyone who made the day so special! We are looking forward to another incredible school year ahead.

For more from the day, check out our and Instagram.

Each summer, members from the JTS senior leadership team spend time at Ramah camps. They study and learn with campers and staff and have the opportunity to engage in informal conversations on such topics as their own personal Jewish journeys, career opportunities in the Jewish world, and the various programs and courses of study at JTS.

Some of these JTS leaders have graciously taken the time to share their reflections on their visits. We are delighted to share their moving reflections with you.

Rabbi Mike Uram, Chancellor

Seeing the #JTSRamah Connection in Action

If I had to summarize my Ramah experience this summer, the first word that comes to mind is “amazing.”

During my visit to Camp Ramah New England, which came during my second week as chancellor, I had the privilege of meeting campers ranging from Ta’am, getting their first “taste” of Ramah, to intellectually curious rising 11th graders wrestling with deep fears about their own futures, as well as the future of humanity. I also spoke with rising 10th graders who are concerned about antisemitism and who have experienced it firsthand in their schools and communities.

Randy Michaels, Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Reflections on My Summer Visits to Ramah: Ruach Across a Continent

Rabbi Gordon Tucker, Vice Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement

Reflections on Kayitz 2026 at Camp Ramah New England

What keeps an old-timer like me coming back to Ramah in New England for 2-3 weeks each summer? There is the beauty of Western Massachusetts, of course, and the greater proximity to the baseball cathedral next to the Fenway. This year, especially, there was the excitement of seeing all the physical renewal happening at camp (a state of the art Arts Center, and an equally dazzling new “Marp”). But none of these factors are as important as the people. One of the prerogatives of being a veteran of 24 summers is the opportunity to befriend, work beside, and teach campers, the college students who care for them, the senior staff, and even the various adults who visit camp on weekends.

Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Dean of The Rabbinical School and Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership

Bringing Our Foundational Texts To Life: Rabbi Ayelet Cohen’s Reflections on Her Visit to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

Rabbi Cantor Shoshi Levin Goldberg, Director of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School

Building the Next Generation of Jewish Leaders

This summer, I spent time at two Ramah camps: Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, New York and Camp Ramah in the Poconos. A major highlight of these visits is catching up with our JTS cantorial and rabbinical students, and it was wonderful to see so many of them in action in a variety of roles at camp, from hinukh/education, to camp mashgiah to rashei edot. Each of these future clergy brings their unique talents and energy to their jobs on tzevet/staff, and they serve as wonderful role models to fellow staff members and campers alike. It was also inspiring to connect with current college students considering a future in the Jewish professional world, as clergy, educators or other professionals.

At a gathering at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz formally presented President Isaac Herzog of Israel with the honorary degree conferred upon him during JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony. The ceremony, which is in Hebrew, is available to watch below:

Video: Dotan Guetta, Sound: Avner Dvir

Read President Herzog’s speech in English here.

Video: Dotan Guetta, Sound: Avner Dvir

JTS Alumni, Professor Ed Greenstein and Dr. Beverly Gribetz offered beautiful words of Torah.

Video: Dotan Guetta, Sound: Avner Dvir

Read more about the ceremony here.

Dr. Natan M. Meir has been appointed the Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian. He will begin his role in September 2026, succeeding Dr. David Kraemer, who has transitioned to the faculty as Gerson D. Cohen Chair in Talmud and Rabbinic Culture. 

Dr. Meir joins JTS from Portland State University, where he served as the Lorry I. Lokey Professor of Judaic Studies and the academic director of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies. An accomplished historian, educator, and academic leader, he brings more than two decades of experience advancing Jewish Studies through teaching, scholarship, and public engagement. 

In addition to his work at Portland State, Dr. Meir has lectured internationally and served as a curatorial and public history consultant, scholar-in-residence, and Jewish heritage tour expert throughout Central and Eastern Europe. He earned his BA in History and his MA, MPhil, and PhD in Jewish History from Columbia University. 

Dr. Meir also has longstanding ties to JTS. His grandfather and father both received rabbinic ordination from JTS, and as a Columbia student, he spent countless hours in The JTS Library. Those experiences helped inspire his path as a historian and gave him a deep foundation and appreciation for The Library’s extraordinary collections and their role in shaping Jewish scholarship. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Meir has been committed to making Jewish history accessible to broad audiences. His work has combined rigorous academic research with museum exhibitions, public history projects, community programming, and collaborative partnerships that bring scholarship to the wider public. 

As Librarian, Dr. Meir will build on The Library’s remarkable legacy while expanding its reach as a dynamic, welcoming, and accessible resource for scholars, students, clergy, and lifelong learners. He is committed to fostering new opportunities for research, teaching, public engagement, and collaboration, ensuring that the treasures of The JTS Library continue to inspire and educate future generations. 

August 12, 2026–New York, NY–�鶹ԭ�� (JTS) formally presented President Isaac Herzog of Israel with the honorary degree conferred upon him during JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony. The presentation took place at a special gathering at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz formally presented President Herzog with the honorary degree certificate in Jerusalem on August 12, after President Herzog was unable to attend JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony in person in New York. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate this honor while bringing together leaders of JTS and the Conservative/Masorti movement to recognize President Herzog’s leadership and his enduring commitment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

“The conferral of an honorary degree from the distinguished institution of JTS in New York upon the President of the State of Israel at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem is not only a great honor for me but also an occasion that is in its very essence a bridge between parallel and complementary worlds. It sends a message from Jerusalem that we — on both sides of the ocean — are inseparable. We are one,” said President Isaac Herzog. “My deepest gratitude goes to all of you at JTS. May we all continue to build together this wondrous chain of the Jewish people, a chain connecting tradition to scholarship, Judaism to the wider world, Israel to the Diaspora, and the past to the future.”

“I am thrilled that Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz had the opportunity to formally present President Herzog with this honorary degree in Israel,” said Chancellor Rabbi Mike Uram. “The relationship between JTS and the State of Israel is deep and enduring, and we are honored to recognize President Herzog’s extraordinary leadership and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people. We are also extremely proud to welcome President Herzog into the distinguished community of JTS honorary degree recipients.”

The Hebrew language ceremony was emceed by JTS alumna Naomi Bloom Wurtman, a Jerusalem-based Jewish cultural professional and Project Coordinator for Gesher L’Europa at the National Library of Israel. Through her work, she helps connect the National Library with Jewish communities and cultural institutions around the world.

Featured speakers included Professor Ed Greenstein, Dr. Beverly Gribetz, JTS rabbinical student Chris Penello, and Chancellor Emerita Shuly Rubin Schwartz, who reflected on President Herzog’s deep reverence for Jewish scholarship and leadership. In her remarks, she spoke about the values they share, many of which were instilled by their families. Distinguished members of the JTS community and leaders of the Conservative/Masorti movement joined the celebration.

A highlight of the ceremony was a communal rendition of Sim Shalom, led by Cantor Jack Chomsky. He led the prayer using a melody composed by his teacher, Hazzan Max Wohlberg z”l, the influential cantor, composer, scholar, and longtime JTS faculty member who helped establish JTS’s cantorial school.

During JTS’s May 2026 Commencement ceremony, President Herzog received an honorary degree and delivered the Commencement address virtually. This gathering marked the formal, in-person presentation of that honor.

Read President Herzog’s speech in English here.

Learn more about JTS’s 2026 Commencement ceremony here.

Read “‘” in JNS.

Photos by Mayaan Toaf / GPO

Chancellor Uram recently spent several days on the West Coast meeting with JTS alumni, longtime friends and colleagues, current and prospective partners, and leaders across the Jewish community. 

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Camp Ramah in Ojai. There, Chancellor Uram met with JTS students, alumni, and Ramah administrators to discuss the enduring strength of the #JTSRamahConnection and the deep partnership between two of the Conservative Movement’s cornerstone institutions. JTS Board Chair Alan Levine, and Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Randy Michaels celebrated Shabbat in Ojai, joyously surrounded by campers and staff. 

From camp, he traveled to Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, where he had the opportunity to engage with many local rabbis and cantors. Rabbis Erez Sherman and Nicole Guzik led a thoughtful panel conversation, exploring the future of the Conservative Movement and how JTS can be an even stronger partner to Jewish communities on the West Coast. Together, they reflected on the unique opportunity before us to help usher in a new era of growth, learning, and impact for Jewish life across North America. 

Throughout the week, Chancellor Uram also met with many distinguished Jewish leaders and thought partners in the great Los Angeles area.  

Another memorable stop was Milken Community School, where Chancellor Uram met with representatives from several Los Angeles-area Jewish schools to discuss pathways to Jewish leadership for the next generation and the many opportunities JTS offers students seeking to make a meaningful impact on Jewish life. 

The week was filled with meaningful conversations, renewed relationships, and new partnerships. Chancellor Uram was grateful to reconnect with so many JTS alumni and supporters and looks forward to continuing those conversations—both on his next visit to the West Coast and at JTS’s campus in New York. This trip reinforced the strong bonds between JTS and the Los Angeles Jewish community and the shared commitment to strengthening Jewish learning, leadership, and community—no matter the distance. 

At the recent international Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ) Convention in Alexandria, Virginia, attendees gathered for four days of learning, leadership, and community. Centered on the theme “Engage, Enrich, Empower: Forging a Stronger Tomorrow,” the convention offered opportunities to deepen Jewish learning, strengthen leadership skills, and advance fundraising efforts, all with an eye toward building a stronger future for Conservative Judaism.

Chancellor Mike Uram was an honored guest and addressed a packed room of WLCJ leaders. In his remarks, he reflected on the future of Conservative Judaism, emphasizing the importance of creating meaningful Jewish experiences, investing in people, welcoming all who seek connection, and embracing innovation while remaining firmly rooted in Jewish tradition. He also celebrated the enduring partnership between WLCJ and JTS, expressing his gratitude for the extraordinary leadership WLCJ members provide in their congregations and for the profound impact they have on strengthening Jewish life across North America.