JTS's new Chancellor!

You may know that the Jewish Theological Seminary recently named Prof. Arnold Eisen of Stanford as its new Chancellor. The fact that Eisen is not a rabbi has raised some eyebrows since one of the Seminary's schools is The Rabbinical School. A number of my colleagues have raised concerns about the Seminary's head not being an ordained rabbi. I respectfully disagree and feel that Eisen was an inspired choice, and I want to commend the Search Committee for thinking "out of the box" and choosing a top-notch academic who is a receognized expert on American Judaism and also a committed and active Conservative Jew. I know Prof. Eisen and have the utmost repsect for him. His appointment augers well for the future of Conservative Judaism.