The Conservative movement's Ismar Schorsch
steps up as the central voice on the pluralism debate.
F r o nt ta Cen t er
New York
smar Schorsch didn't need to take on another issue. The chancellor of the Conservative
movement's Jewish Theological Seminary already had more than enough on his agenda,
running an academic institution with campuses on three continents, plus serving as a
leader of efforts to apply Judeo-Christian values to the shaping of public policy on health
care and on the environment.
Yet the 61-year-old Conservative rabbi thrust himself squarely in the international
spotlight earlier this year with his public condemnation of Orthodox efforts to control con-
versions in Israel. The controversial bill, introduced into the Israeli parliament April 1,
would cement in law exclusive Orthodox authority over conversions performed in Israel.
Action on the bill was suspended in May to allow a seven-member committee to work out a compro-
mise on the issue.
For Dr. Schorsch, speaking out was not a matter of personal choice, but one of moral obligation. He
saw a crisis coming, and he set out to mobilize a quick, effective response.
"He felt he had something significant to say," says JTS Vice Chancellor Anne Lapidus Lerner, who
has worked closely with the chancellor on the seminary's upper Manhattan campus for 20 years.
"He can't be pushed to talk about something where he doesn't feel he can make a contribution."
It's the same approach Dr. Schorsch takes to most important decisions: careful study of the issues,
close attention to the ethical considerations, and consultation with respected colleagues, followed by
decisive action. Once he takes a stand, he doesn't back away from it.
As one of several spokesmen for the Conservative movement, Dr. Schorsch is called upon to artic-
ulate the values of the denomination. He does this through a steady stream of articles and the speech-
es he makes during his constant travels.
He also writes a weekly Torah commentary, which is mailed to the JTS community and pub-
lished on the seminary's Internet Web site. "This has become one of the most satisfying things I've
done as chancellor," he says. "I enrich the Shabbat of a lot of Conservative Jews by teaching a little
bit of Torah. I think I'm the only non-Orthodox leader who comments on the Torah portion every
week."
Dr. Schorsch became the sixth head of the seminary in July 1986. A graduate of Ursinus College
with a Ph.D. from Columbia University, he received his rabbinic ordination from JTS. He has been
a member of the faculty there since 1964, as professor of Jewish history, and still teaches a course.
He served as dean of the graduate school from 1975-79 and as provost from 1980-84.
Since becoming chancellor 11 years ago, Dr. Schorsch has evolved from a modest, if not shy, acad-
emic into a peripatetic schmoozer, rubbing elbows with the likes of Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein,
both of whom support the seminary.
"It's been fascinating to watch that process and to watch him reorient himself," says Dr. Jack
Wertheimer, a prominent Jewish scholar who last month became provost of JTS.
"He's grown through his ability to interact with people from many different walks of life," he
says. "He has a very fine, very human touch in talking with a very broad range of people."
When Dr. Schorsch took the job, says Dr. Lerner, the quiet historian needed to develop a leader-
ship style and articulate a personal vision — both of which he's accomplished, observers say.
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CHRISTINE STUTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
PHOTOS BY REBECCA SCHULVSKY
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