Rabbi Ori Clare

Hi Rabbi Blane! 

·         I have been blogging on Jewish topics for a national religious news service as well as on a blog form my own private audience. 

·         I have begun a hospital chaplaincy training program at one of the (Catholic) hospital/nursing home organizations in Hartford, bringing the rabbinic perspective to serving the needs of their patients and residents (yes, a good number of whom are Jewish – but my training and work is not limited to the Jewish population).

·         I am seeking life-cycle officiating opportunities oriented towards end-of-life events – 1^st unveiling scheduled for this Sunday.

B‘Shalom

Rabbi Dario Hunter 

"I am currently writing multiple religious works for publication. I have a particular interest in promoting inclusiveness and diversity within our community and I plan to use my semicha to help serve that purpose.

I am very grateful for the experience of studying with JSLI. The Internet format, rather than emphasizing the distance between us, underlined in a powerful way the enduring continuity of Jewish tradition whether in chutz laaretz (outside of Israel) or here in Eretz Yisrael. The collegial atmosphere, the skillful lessons in the practical aspects of rabbinics and the warm, nurturing nature of JSLI’s instruction made for an experience that I feel prepared me well for spiritual leadership. But perhaps more importantly, I feel that what I learned, from Rabbi Blane as well as my fellow students, improved me spiritually as a Jew.

Bezrat Hashem, I hope to experience greater spiritual improvement and to share what I have been privileged to learn with my fellow members of Klal Yisrael."

Rabbi James Michaelis

is just back from Israel and England. In England he conducted an Orthodox service in Plymouth. He is in the process of being hired as a part time Rabbi at Temple Beth El in Port Jervis NY.

Rabbi Neumiro Da Silva

"I have Five weddings to do, also bar and bat mitzvahs.  I raised money to get a Torah.  And have done a few funerals and unveilings. I don’t charge for anything - but I’m so happy….. but they do make donations :-)

He (Rabbi Blane) has no idea what he has done for people like us----- we don’t have time to spend four years in a traditional rabbinical school.  He’s helping so many people he has no idea.

One lady questioned me- she wasn’t sure if I should be addressed as Rabbi- to her I said that if she didn’t feel comfortable she didn’t have to.  I told her I am there for people that need me, not for people that don’t.  

I am learning more and more as I go along.  I led the music for the high holiday services- three guitars a clarinet a bass, drums, played Avinu Malkeinu with drums.  For the first time, people enjoyed the holidays.

Thank you!"

Rabbi Gail Nalven

Another busy Rabbi...

"...is working in Jewish education as always.   I have a new position as a Grade Level Coordinator (like an Assistant Principal in public schools) at Temple Shaaray Tefila on the Upper East Side.  I am also a B'nei Mitzvah tutor and I am teaching adult Hebrew at both TST and Forest Hills Jewish Center.

I led High Holiday tot programs at Union Temple in Brooklyn, NY.   I plan to keep working in Jewish education and perform life cycle events."

Rabbi Elisheva Diaz

1.  What have you been doing since the ordination? I have been networking and making connections for the Public speaking circuit within our community.  So far so good.  I also had to take my time in preparing for the High Holidays and now Sukkot.  I have received some interest in who I am and where I was ordained and am following up with that. 

2.  How do you plan to use your Semicha in the future?  To date I am teaching in two Conservative Synagogues and will begin to assist in Adult Ed in a reform Temple soon.  I am needing to get my Hebrew down and continue to work on that as well.  I am hoping to build my speaking schedule and to spend the first year assessing whether or not I should attempt to take a pulpit or perhaps stay in Education.

I will keep you all posted.  xo to all.