Scholar in Residence 2026

2026 Marilyn & Edwin Bierman Scholar in Residence

Shuly Rubin Schwartz

January 9-10, 2026

Shuly Rubin Schwartz, a groundbreaking scholar of American Jewish history and current chancellor of The Jewish Theological Seminary, will visit Beth Shalom for a weekend of learning on January 9-10, 2026.

Scholar in Residence events are free and open to the public (aside from the catered dinner on January 9).

Not a Beth Shalom member? Please register to attend 2026 Scholar in Residence events. Please register for SIR events by noon on January 9.

Event Schedule

Friday, January 9

Kabbalat Shabbat Services - 5:30pm

Shabbat Dinner - 7:00pm ($45 per person; register by January 5)
Register now to attend Shabbat dinner, catered by Mangia Bene Catering. 

Keynote Lecture - 8:15pm
"For Better and For Worse: Celebrating 250 Years of Jews in American Politics"

Saturday, January 10

Shabbat Services - 9:30am
Dvar Torah: "Shifra, Puah, Miriam, and Me: Circuitous Routes to Jewish Female Leadership"

Kiddush Conversation with Clergy and the Chancellor - 1:00pm
"Conservative Judaism and the Jewish Future"

Havdalah & Text Study - 7:00pm
"An Old/New Zionism for an Old/New People"

About the speaker

Shuly Rubin Schwartz 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.