The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies is known not only for its exceptional scholarship, but also for its great emphasis on personalized teaching and community. In that spirit, orientation opened with the incoming class enjoying a Sunday lunch at the home of Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Ziegler's Abner and Roslyn Goldstine Dean's Chair. Contributing to that personal touch was a panel made up of four of the Ziegler School's esteemed alumni who shared their experiences and suggestions about how to receive the most out of rabbinical school:

• Rabbi Deborah Silver (2010) of Adat Ari El, a recipient of the 2011 Herman Braunstein Red Yarmulke Humanitarian Award. This honor is given to assistant Rabbis making a positive difference for Conservative Judaism.
• Rabbi Paul Steinberg (2004), Assistant Rabbi and Senior Educator of Valley Beth Shalom, who earned the 2007 National Jewish Book Award and was honored by the Jewish Educators Assembly with a Conservative Jewish educator title of distinction, recognizing him as having achieved the highest professional standards within the field of Jewish education.
• Rabbi Jackie Redner (2003), Rabbi in Residence for Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, where she is chaplain to the more than 50 residents who live on Vista's campus, as well as rabbi for Nes Gadol, a Jewish Learning Program for children and teens with autism.
• Rabbi Adam Greenwald (2011), Executive Director of AJU's Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, serving both Jews and potential Jews-By-Choice who seek meaning in Jewish living and a deeper connection to the Jewish community.

           The new class experienced just a small sample of the many diverse and talented rabbis that preceded them in their rabbinic training at the Ziegler School and are now making bold contributions throughout our Jewish community. It was a warm and inspiring welcome to Ziegler's newest group of students.

Photo by Aviva Funke