91�첥

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the sanctuary of Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York was filled with soaring music, sacred purpose, and joyful accomplishment as 91�첥 ordained 16 new religious leaders. The ceremony honored the future of Jewish leadership by celebrating visionary new leaders who reflect today’s evolving Jewish community.

The New York ordination ceremony marked the culmination of five or more years of intensive academic, spiritual, and professional preparation. Each graduation and ordination on our New York, Los Angeles, Cincinatti, and Israel campuses are the full expression of the College’s mission: to inspire leadership rooted in tradition, grounded in scholarship, and committed to building vibrant, inclusive communities in a changing world.

The cantorial ordinands were Lauren Blasband-Roth, Justin Donn Callis, Sierra Jade Fox, Gabriel Samuel Moffitt Lehrman, and Elizabeth Anna Reinstein.

The rabbinical ordinands were Ashira Joelle Boxman, Emma Grace Dubin, Hannah Miriam Ellenson, Jesse Aaron Epstein, James Ian Feder, Madeleine Michelle Fortney, Adam Graubart, Ora Jacobsen, Benjamin Danson Luks-Morgan, Aaron Blasband-Roth, and Evan Lerner Traylor.

Cantor Jill Abramson ’02, Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, welcomed attendees, saying,

“Where are the words for this moment? Our teachers guide us to seek ourselves in the Psalms. As we see you, our ordinands set forth, we find poetry that captures our dancing delight and celebratory cheer, “for you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace.”

President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., delivered the Presidential Charge, offering words of vision and encouragement that reflected both the sacred responsibility and the enduring promise of Reform Jewish leadership.

When people come to know that you are Rabbi or Cantor they will look at you differently, and through their perception give you social power. I have confidence that you will use that social power effectively, drawing deeply from Torah and our tradition to apply Jewish wisdom as teachers, spiritual and organization leaders, pastors, and advocates for prophetic justice.

Rabbi Lisa D. Grant ’87, Ph.D., Eleanor Sinsheimer Distinguished Service Professor in Jewish Education and past director of the New York Rabbinical Program, delivered the ordination address. A longtime leader in Jewish education, she has helped shape generations of students committed to strengthening Jewish worship and community.

Addressing the 2025/5785 class, Rabbi Grant said,

“Each of you is dedicating your life to making God’s love manifest by reclaiming and uncovering the holy, even in the midst of upheaval, darkness, and fear. Your unique and collective gifts will help guide us through this unprecedented time and ensure a thriving Jewish future.”

Rabbi David Adelson ’99, D. Min. ’16, Dean of the New York campus and Interim Director of the Rabbinical Program ordained the new clergy. He was joined by Cantor Jill Abramson ’02; and Rabbi Lisa D. Grant ’87, Ph.D. as they led ordinands through a transformative moment of holiness, marking their transition into a life of service.

Delivering a Kavanah, Rabbi Adelson said,

“Like all of the crossers-over of our past, you take your place in a lineage of leaders who could not foresee the circumstances and challenges ahead, but who forged ahead through turbulent passage with courage, or at least, with faith. None of us knows exactly how you will be called on to lead. But we do know that we could not be in better hands.” View full remarks.

The 2025 Roger E. Joseph Prize was awarded to Stacy Burdett, a public policy strategist and advocate for civil and human rights whose work evinces a deep commitment to tikkun olam. The award was established by Burton Joseph and Betty Greenberg, of blessed memory, to honor the memory of their brother.

On hand to present the award were the daughters of Roger E. Joseph, Roxane Leopold, Ellen Joseph, and Linda Karshan, and grandchildren Roger Karshan and Sarah Zampell. The family said, “It is a great honor to bestow the Roger E. Joseph Prize on Stacey Burdett for her passionate advocacy in the fight against antisemitism.”

In accepting the award, Burdett said,

“We are the protagonists of our American Jewish story. We have the pen, and we are writing this chapter; nobody else is. More than ever we need to empower practitioners and advocates…we need to remind ourselves that values aren’t the product of moral philosophy, or the privilege of rank. They’re just choices and actions, maybe by no one you’ve ever heard of.” View full remarks.

As the ceremony drew to a close, David B. Edelson, Chair of the Board of Governors, offered words of encouragement to the ordinands:

“You are poised to build vibrant Jewish communities. As leaders, your actions and ideals will strengthen Jewish identity, education, and engagement for generations to come. You will literally change lives as you change communities and change the world.”

This year’s ordinands step forward to serve across diverse communities where meaning is reimagined, connection renewed, and sacred purpose elevated. Through teaching, pastoral care, and bold, compassionate leadership, they carry forward the values shaped by their time at 91�첥.

Graduation and Ordination for the Los Angeles class follows on May 18th and May 19th.

The full program can be found .