Gratz College

06/22/2025

June 22nd is the 9th Yahrzeit of Elie Wiesel. In his memory, we are thoughtful of his personal vision for peace.

Wiesel and his wife, Marion, used the funds from the Nobel Peace Prize to create the The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. The Foundation hosts international summits against hate. It funds after-school programs in Israel for the children of Ethiopian migrants and refugees of Darfur — and sponsors prizes for humanitarian efforts by world leaders and essay contests on ethics. Two centers for Ethiopian Jews were built in Israel, named for the youngest of Elie’s sisters, Tzipora.

06/19/2025

Thursday, June 19th marks Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the US, celebrating the freedom of African Americans. June 19, 1865 was the day Major General Gordon Granger of the U.S. Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the more than two-and-a-half-year-old Emancipation Proclamation.

Watch this Juneteenth Parade from 1925, a silent film by Solomon Sir Jones.

https://www.searchablemuseum.com/film-of-a-juneteenth-parade-from-1925/

A museum that seeks to understand American history through the lens of the African American experience.

06/17/2025

This summer, try Rabbi Daniel Levitt's new online class, "Inside the Heart of Chassidism: Exploring the Major Schools of Thought."

Sundays: 11:30am - 1:00pm ET
July 20, 27; August 3, 10 (4 sessions)
Zoom, $250

This course offers a dynamic journey through the diverse spiritual landscapes of the Chassidic movement, from its 18th-century origins to its modern expressions. Students will explore the foundational teachings and philosophies of influential dynasties such as Chabad-Lubavitch, Breslov, Satmar, Ger, Belz, and Ishbitz-Radzin. Through primary texts, stories, and historical context, the class will examine how each school uniquely approaches themes like divine providence, joy, prayer, mysticism, and community. Whether you're new to Chassidism or looking to deepen your understanding, this course provides a rich and nuanced portrait of one of Judaism’s most vibrant spiritual traditions.

Registration is open now

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16oeZBFnRM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/11/2025

Gratz alumni peeps:
We're cleaning out the closets. We found a BIG box of JCHS 👕 t-shirts all size Large! If you want one (or all) of them, give us a shout. Contact Lauren Marks ([email protected]). Perfect pajama top! Donations requested to cover the cost of postage https://www.gratz.edu/giving/donor-form. Tag us on instagram or fb once you get your new swag! 😎

06/10/2025

Have you seen our billboard on I-95?
Teachers, come learn with us this summer!

https://www.gratz.edu/admission-aid/learn-more-earn-more

06/08/2025

Congratulations to Yonina Bendheim Jacobson, a local Bala Cynwyd student in our Executive PhD in Jewish Studies program!

Learn more about her and this extraordinary cohort of Orthodox women.

Walder Foundation

06/06/2025

Wednesday, June 4th was an emotional day at Gratz.

We paid tribute to Saul Wachs, a man who embodies the very spirit and joy of the College — and ushered in Dr. Brendan Goldman, a young leader, poised to build a roadmap for a new generation of Jewish Studies scholars.

We offer our immense gratitude to Lewis Hoch and Jonathan L. Levin for spearheading the endowment of the "Dr. Saul Philip Wachs Chair of Jewish Life and Learning".

Family and friends of both Saul and Brendan traveled from diverse spots, including Ohio, Boston, New York and Israel. Hugs and laughs were abundant as mini-reunions took place throughout the evening.

We were delighted to hear from two current Jewish Studies PhD students describe their experience with and love for Gratz. Thank you to Sandra Lilienthal and Alex Malanych.

Perhaps the most stunning moment was when the crowd gave a raucous round of applause and a standing ovation during Dr. Wachs' acceptance of the Gratz Medal.

Congratulations to Dr. Saul Wachs and to Dr. Brendan Goldman, our new Chair of Jewish Life and Learning!



Brendan G Goldman

06/04/2025

Today is Giving Day! 🎉

You can help Gratz students pursue their studies with a contribution to the Power Up! Gratz campaign. This year's goal is to raise $100,000 for student scholarship.

Thanks to a 2X matching gift pledge from a generous alumnus, every contribution made today will be doubled, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.

That means you can help us raise up to $100,000 in scholarship funds!

Support Student Success

06/01/2025

President Zev Eleff shares a Shavuot message about the Gratz family's religious devotion and the college's commitment to the pursuit and advancement of Jewish wisdom.

News at Gratz College

05/30/2025

Our annual Holocaust Youth Symposium is in high gear. In just two days, we engaged approximately 330 students in Holocaust education! 👏

On Wednesday, May 28th, we hosted the 9th grade class of Masterman High School. They participated in a real-time tour of Auschwitz via the virtual reality simulation: Auschwitz in Front of Your Eyes. A live tour guide walked them through the grounds and buildings of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The students were able to interact with and ask questions of the tour guide. Not surprisingly, the room was silent through much of the experience.

On Thursday, May 29th, the 8th grade class from Carl Sandburg Middle School came to Gratz to see an exclusive production of "Hidden: The Musical." The musical is based on the true story of Ruth Kapp Hartz, who as a young Jewish girl was hidden in Southern France during World War II. After the performance, the students participated in a "talkback" with the cast and Ruth Kapp Hartz in-person. The students were also privileged to hear one of their own teachers tell the story of her father who was a hidden child in Poland during the war.

Kudos to our Education Initiatives Manager Kaitlyn Arms for organizing our school groups and putting together an exceptional experience for the students.

We appreciate that these two schools allowed us the space and time to educate their students when school days are tightly packed. We look forward to a time when Holocaust education will be mandated in Pennsylvania, as it is in many other U.S. states.

Please contact Kaitlyn Arms if you're interested in bringing these educational experiences to your middle or high school.

Learn more about the Holocaust Youth Symposium: https://www.gratz.edu/academics/program/hgs/symposium-technology


Carl Sandburg High School

05/29/2025

We can't wait until the formal investiture of Brendan G Goldman, PhD as the Dr. Saul Philip Wachs Chair of Jewish Life and Learning at Gratz!

We pass the torch, so to speak, on Wednesday, June 4th at our Mandell Campus. This is the last official public gathering in this space for Gratz. Join us to honor Dr. Wachs with the Gratz medal, welcome Dr. Goldman, and wish fond farewell to a campus that has served us well since 1989.

Reserve your seat now. In-person or online:
https://www.gratz.edu/news-and-events/event-calendar/investiture-of-dr-saul-p-wachs-chair-of-jewish-life-learning/~board/news-and-events/post/investiturebrendangoldman

Below, in photos: Saul Wachs represents the seventies with his signature goatee and sings Hatikvah at our recent Commencement on May 18th. Two graduating students joyously toss their caps in front of our building. Brendan Goldman is ready to take on the mantle of the Wachs Chair.