Today (9/10/25) I'll take my first class at the University of Denver, I'll need to identify a book extra to read for Christianity, researched: Christianity visualization (probably), and did learn about: Godly imagination, and a self published book: Developing Godly Imagination, by Piqela Gabaza.
More work to do!
A few things to note...
- I've just looked up ethics for Aleph. I think 2-3 days ago, I wrote a follow up note to Hazzan Brewer, asking to talk to her, phone or zoom. I had expressed concern to her that the program wasn't set up or accept MD residences legally, she said she'd check with their chair, and the next thing I heard, their chair was on my interview committee for the program. Shortly later, I see I am not accepted, with a letter saying that people are not accepted for a variety of reasons. And, now, I'm waiting to hear back from her. But, I shouln't wait forever. Probably by tomorrow, I should ask if she got the letter.
- It's not clear what I want...except for understanding. I have been accepted, and now have paid tuition, for their DLTI program. And, having read the ethics info, I see a few things:
a) that DLTI is in the envelope of Aleph
b) that routinely 6 months characterizes the length of time a complaint could be brought
c) that a significant person who would reasonably be called to respond to an ethics complaint is Soon Ji, who I did the JMMTT program with....and I HAD thought, separately from all of this, to consult with her on the issues plain to me about Aleph I had encountered.
d) the person I should be learning from in the DTLI program was also a person who interviewed me, and she had cause to write me after the interview, to direct me back to Hazzan Brewer for any substantive questions.
e) another resource person for me could be Jeff Roth...who was a principle, also, in the JMMTT program with me, and...is now on something like to board...or maybe a governor...for Aleph.
f) Another person I could go to is the other primary rabbi in the JMMTT program, Jordan Bendat-Apell
g) Earlier, when I was just waiting to be interviewed...I HAD let the cause for concern about Aleph just relax. But, then Reb Laila kept putting me off. As I kept waiting, I finally brought the concern to Hazzan Brewer. And, then finally, I continued the interview process.
h) although a question that could be asked, and it's a question my wife asked me to consider...is what I was looking for. Then...things evolved, to the present time. The renewed question is, again, perhaps, what am I looking for. But,...
I) in a world where things can be gray, or dark, or bad...you want to move towards making them right. Isn't that what I'm pursuing this for?
j) And, I suspect, only, that it may be that Rabbi Barenblat split from Aleph, inferring from I think what I read...that she didn't like the non-larger direction Aleph was taking. And, if that may be true, it is what puts Aleph on its existing trajectory, offering classes in a format that makes it inappropriate for many students to take them in the way they're offering them.
Some new things...
I'm thinking of doing a talk at the TI Tikkun on shmeara, specifically talking about how it is similar and different to Tibetan Buddhist practice.
And, in the last 24 hours, I was reached by Shambhala Global Services, to see if I'd do a Sunday talk. They allowed I could do sending & taking, but also something different. I asked if I could do it on buddhism & Judaism, they said yes, and that is now scheduled for 7/13.
Betty and I are both planning towards retirement. We need to close down on our communications with financial planners...we've talked to 2.
In addition to the Denver Masters, I've signed up for doing the 2 year DLTI program.
We're going to Chicago over Labor Day for the Rivkes.
Evan will turn 30 in July, he's still in school, and has just applied for a job. Kasey's in the process of quitting for physical stress. Adam's relatively humming along.
And now, for Shambhala course, I need a title, and description.
trying...
Buddhism, Judaism, & Lovingkindness: Can you go home, and if you do, what will you find?
Denver is fully ahead for the fall.
Spending some mental energy surveying
synagogue options, including
Adat Shalom: far but potentially special for
life engagement, inclusion for us both, but again, distance a drag
TI - review again?
Oseh Shalom
CJC
Oseh Shalom closer, but....
Studying Rosenberg book
Getting ready for retirement
Betty is hard at work settling her sister
We need someone to look after Charlie when
going to Chicago
Evan's trying a new medicine
Adam's steady as she goes
Tonight: Accountant
Tomorrow: Fabrangen (after a while)
Sunday, Seekers Church
This afternoon, complete social security app
Maybe Saturday afternoon, reimbursements
This summer, both finish Vajrayogini, and
start to learn Chakrasamvara.
How to check Oseh Shalom?
Should I write guy about dues?
Signing off...
Time to maybe both update, and create a thoughtful, or annotated "to do" list.
Over the last few days, I in turn:
- went to an open house from U of Denver
- went to an open house for Towson
- met with a prof (Putzu) from Missouri
- met with Rabbi Gerry (for advice)
- met with Rabbi Rachel from Chicago (CTS)
and....I'm moved, somewhat, to select Denver.
But, I may want to pursue annotation
Can I also do a liturgy course with Academy of Jewish Religion in NY
I'd need to learn hebrew, up to 1A for the prerequisite
And...I may have to sham entry? Since I'm not doing the program, just the course?
And, I may want to pursue their Mechina Program to get the hebrew..
or identify some other way to learn Hebrew
So, I now possibly wish to reach folks at AJR about pursuing this.
I think that's first up on my "to do" list, except...
I think I also want to reach Rosenberg, to see about his sources...
and catch up with him, in some kind of way
...and, maybe also learn about the North American Academy of Liturgy, which Rosenberg references in his acknowledgements.
So...I've got some work to do.
Not to mention...get ready for passover, and for a retreat I'd travel to on Sunday.
Creating something in writing about my graduate school choices might help. I'll intend that here, now:
a)Pluses, b) Cons, c) things I can do, now, before I decide
1) Aleph
A
a) generally known
b) meets in person
c) will engage for a long time
d) provide a context to examine the "goodness" of my thoughts about liturgy
e) I like the "sense" of the program...the general intentionality
f) most directed to provide training towards assisting in the Jewish community, where I'm thinking my potential strengths could be of most benefit
B)
a) cost
b) not MHEC recognized, nor accredited
c) Hebrew is needed
d) last for awhile...this can be a 2 edged sword, but I think it's a net plus on the positives side
C)
- when/should I try to sit in on a class?
2) U of Denver
A
a) Most well regarded academically
b) they've done this awhile, and seem to know how to offer a program virtually, mixed with in-person
c) have a person on deck trained in Tibetan Buddhism, so knows the framework of understanding where I'm coming from
d) Also has other academic support, including one in the department as their "Jewish" person, and another nearby who does interfaith.
e) If needed, the committee structure for a thesis can include someone outside the school. TBD how they'd be compensated (maybe me?).
f) Hebrew not needed
g) can prepare me to be able to write papers / attend meetings
h) teach in CC
i) good number of faculty
B)
a) will program be nourishing? / Will learning in the different religious traditions be something I connect with?
b) class times...all evenings
C)
AM going to open house near 4/3, virtually, and have asked about expected courses.
3) Western Michigan University
A
a) Would prepare me most to teach in a CC
b) Orientation of program, being: "Comparative Religion."
c) may have a somewhat positive reputation
B)
a) I don't think there is a Jewish person/orientation, but...maybe I'd do no thesis, so that may not matter, given the structure of the program
b) So, there is no culminating project to target
c) there should be an expectation of asynchronous learning
d) faculty have not been helpful
e) small number of faculty
C
a) can do last thing suggested, i.e., confirm I can take the theory course in the fall, as it doesn't now show I'd be eligible, without asking for that permission
4) Missouri State University
A
a) first to accept me...have expressed positive energy
b) organized/looks like a University, even though far
c) seems to know how to provide programming virtually...uses language of technology servicing a combined virtual and in person/hybrid group
d) no hebrew required
e) Has a Jewish oriented person on staff, and buddhist
f) normative to do a thesis as a closing project, even for distance student
g) good number of faculty
B
a) reputation may not be strong
C
- am scheduling meeting with their Judaics person
5) Towson State U
A
a) may cost nothing
b) haimish, they sought meeting as a part of the interview process, small classes
c) have talked already, by their bringing it up in interview, about the Jewish Buddhist piece of my interest
d) have gotten buy in to project idea and focus for thesis
e) Jewish focused faculty
B
a) small department / number of faculty
b) reputation not strong
c) hebrew required to graduate at least, up to 1st year
d) small classes, for material that may not, in and of itself, be greatly of interest...it's not necessarily a plus
e) Evening classes
C
- upcoming open house, scheduled to go to it
6) Chicago Theological Seminary
A
a) different focus that's designed to be meaning based
b) prof reached out to me on her own, to say she'd be happy to help me on my final project
c) Good reputation
d) no hebrew needed
e) Opportunity to travel to Israel, maybe positive, has to be positive (since I can also not do this at all).
f) Rabbi among faculty
g) a number of interesting courses
B
a) somewhat expensive
b) not great experience with staff support so far
c) heavy potential work with one faculty...maybe mixed bag?
d) evening classes
e) just a little more undefined as to how program would come forward
C
- though could follow up to financial aid piece, that's not much of a thing
- could reach prof again, but question is not well defined, and I have tried to pursue course advice without a good result
- ?
7) Academy for Jewish Religion - NY
A
a) might lead to rabbinic study later, but I may not want this, and they may not work that way after all (now require partner be Jewish); now accepted to MA in Jewish studies
b) some talented faculty
c) faculty training in liturgy
d) though might have hebrew training to lead up to, not promised yet
B)
a) Hebrew required, and extensive to graduate; a problem
C
- Could ask (again) if there's a path to "Madrich" program
8) Athens State U
A
a) Intimate, small (2) faculty
b) they'd work with me on thesis
c) low cost
B
a) least strong reputation
b) given other options, not clear why this should be selected
C
?
9) Hartford International
A
a) They're intentional, having gotten ridden of Divinity degree
b) Have a Judaics program, and person is observant
c) less expensive than Chicago
B
a) with Chicago accepted, is this an alternative to consider?
C
- I should reach their person in admissions who HAS been helpful, or has tried to. Not too much is known to me about how program works. Their admission date for required info being submitted was the latest...so they may not be on top of this, though my need for info is coming up. I could write her sooner than later.
10) U of Virginia
Rejected
In 3 weeks I should pick a graduate program. Have not heard yet from Aleph. But, we are looking at finances, and a 5 year, $100K program is looking to be a hardship, with a $0 dollar option at Towson is available.
I should do a document on pros / cons of each option.
I just wrote today to Missouri State to Dr. Putzu to see if he'd discuss the program with me. I'm looking now at the margins...are there things to think about I've not considered.
Otherwise, Denver seems probably most attractive? With not a high level of certainty.
I'd only be in part in person with Aleph, of all the 10 choices on the table.
I've not yet, but could apply to Academy of Jewish Religion in CA. It would present as the MOST expensive option, for programs, if I did their rabbinics program, which I could...but I could also do just their MA, which was the original plan.
Expect will do DLTI with any program.
