Anxiety and Hope

[debka_notion]

I'm pretty nervous about tomorrow's interview.

On the other hand, the dean of admissions just told me that he's rooting for me, the dean of the rab school has wished me good luck, and the second and third years' dean keeps checking in on me. Oh, and one of the rabbis on my committee is one of my teachers and the rabbi who really encouraged him to come to the seminary is the father-in-law of one of my favorite teachers from Hebrew High, who is, with his wife, one of two families in the conservative shul at home who have ever had me over for a shabbos or yontif meal. I write all this to try and calm myself down.

I really need a good question to ask my committee when they're done asking me questions. So far my list of potential questions is as follows: asking for a piece of advice, or asking what they'd want me to take away from this year at JTS, regardless of whether or not I get in.

Comments

[hotshot2000.livejournal.com]

At a testing the waters schmooze, J asked them what their ideal vision for their rabbis was, which proved to be stumpful to them.

I have some suggestions, but you seem to want to actually get in, so I'll keep them to myself. ;-P

[mbarr.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[scaberry.livejournal.com]

good luck

Rabbi Scolnic has said this to me and it helps, they don't just say and do these nice things to people they aren't really interested in.

Anyways, I probably should know but who's father-in-law teaches at JTS??

[jakal88.livejournal.com]

Well, first, I have no doubt that you'll get in. Second, you may want to take the rest of this with a grain of salt.

Bleeagh, those are BORING questions. I would guess they aren't especially looking for boring people. You are not boring, so don't pose questions like you are. You shouldn't ask something offensive, but put a little point on it, something that says "I'm a smart person who doesn't shy away from thinking about difficult things." Unfortunately I am not educated enough in this subject to suggust anything specific. Maybe, "What do ya'll think is the most serious problem facing Conservatism today, and how might it be solved?" and make sure to have your own answer ready as well. (Texas accent optional, for you Northerly-type folks).

[gimmelgirl.livejournal.com]

I would ask something like, "if you could go back in time, knowing what you know now as a rabbi/teacher in the field, and give a piece of advice to your new rabbinical student self, what would you tell yourself? I.e., what do you know now that you wished you'd known then ... but with the implication of how to "seize the day," rather than something deep and philosophical.

You're gonna be fabulous. Just enjoy the "conversation," rather than thinking of it as an interview....
Heck, they let me in. You'll be fine. :o)

[eliyahu5733.livejournal.com]

I have to say.. if they don't accept you into the Rabbinic School its more of a reflection on the school than it is on you. While I am not myself a rabbinic student, I have been in the graduate school here for quite a few years and seen and known many many student rabbis. I had (and have) a hard time seeing many of them as rabbis (for numerous reasons I need not go into here) and a good number of them actually make me fear for the future of this movement under their leadership. Aside from my nutty hang-ups about seeing women as rabbis (They just don't "look like rabbis") I have no trouble at all seeing you as a Rabbi. The way you carry yourself, your commitment to Judaism, your priorities and your mindset are all things I would look for in a rabbi. I would feel very comfortable with the C movement in your hands. If they can't see it its their loss (well, its a loss for all of us...)

I'd wish you good luck, but I really don't think you need it. You'll do great! :)

[chinchillama.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[ploni-bat-ploni.livejournal.com]

YOU WILL GET IN!

Chill out! :-)

I doubt that I will get in though... GRE dramas... ugh. Not to mention Crap Hebrew.