2026 Bierman Scholar in Residence Shuly Rubin Schwartz will offer the dvar Torah for our morning services, titled "Shifra, Puah, Miriam, and Me: Circuitous Routes to Jewish Female Leadership." Shuly Rubin Schwartz, a groundbreaking scholar of American Jewish history and a visionary institutional leader, is the eighth chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary. She is the first woman to serve in this role since JTS was founded in 1886. Chancellor Schwartz was one of the first women on the JTS faculty and played an instrumental role in introducing Jewish gender studies into the curriculum. As a scholar, she brings to light previously overlooked contributions of women to Jewish life and culture over the centuries and continually expands our understanding of American Judaism. Among her publications is the award-winning book The Rabbi’s Wife, a penetrating examination of the role of rabbis’ wives in the development of American Jewish life.