As you might recall, Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor Ismar Schorsch has announced his retirement, to take effect June 30 of 2006, so the search for his replacement is on. The winner will have the duty/privilege/burden of helming the flagship institution of Conservative Judaism through the next period in its history. (When he steps down, Schorsch will have held the post for twenty years.)
Since there seems to be lots of interest in Conservative Judaism on Jewlicious (whether the interest is positive or negative depends on the poster), I thought you all might like to know that a few blogs have been founded to bring you all the news about the JTS Chancellor search.
JTS2006 seems to be more news-oriented, while JTSfuture seems to be set up to focus on the potential candidates as they emerge.
For instance, the search committee members were just named.
I think web-savvy Conservative Jews are going to embrace these blogs as forum for public opinion, and I can only hope that JTS administration, board and the search committee peruse them to hear what the people have to say…
See also:
Miriam for the original reportage
My Urban Kvetch
Jewlicious post about the Conservative Movement’s Big Gay Issue
The muffti refered to the links found in the Conservative. Right now there is to much junk in that blog for me to find it. I did read some of the material there when you first linked it up and found it informative.
FWIW, I’m pretty sure we’ve all been calling you Darth Muff anyway. As for smicha, I think winning that Bible contest back in day school could transfer as Rabb School credit. But you don’t have to be rabbinized to head a major academic institution. The President of YU is a “civilian.”
Darth Muff? Wow…that would be a pretty cool name! Thanks guys!
Censored comment was put in…it was about abiogenesis and its up the list in the conservative judaism post (with links, if anyone is interested.)
We at the secret dark order of Mekuballs in the Holly city will give Muffti the special smicha and change his name to Darth Muff.
muffti, I don’t think you have to be a rabbi to be chancellor, but I’m not sure they’d go for an avowed and documented atheist.
(And I looked for your censored comment, but it didn’t seem to be in the “awaiting moderation” hopper; did TM get it back for you?)
Thanks, NSN, though Muffti is pretty sure you are giving hascoma because you hate the conservatives!
Hey, TM, one of muffti’s comments got censored because of too many links in it (or so he thinks). Can you undo?
And CK, where the f*ck are you!?!
The muffti has my hascoma….
Is Muffti eligible?
When they pick a successor, we can have a discussion about reactionary views in Judaism all over again. Just like when the new Pope was named. I can’t wait.