Highland Park Natives Earn Graduate Degrees At Spertus Institute

CHICAGO — A trio of North Shore residents were among 22 recent graduates to receive master's and doctoral degrees from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, the school recently announced.

Dina Jacobs Bauwens, of Highland Park, member engagement director at Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, and Dorit Dahari, of Highland Park, a Hebrew teacher at Rochelle Zelle Jewish High School in Deerfield, earned master of arts in Jewish professional studies from the Chicago-based institute. Doris Schyman, of Northbrook, received a master of arts in Jewish studies, according to Spertus.

"In facing all the challenges of modern Jewish life, you are well prepared," Steven Nasatir, executive vice chairman of The Jewish United Fund, told graduates at a commencement ceremony last month, according to a release. "Spertus has provided you with role models, inspiration, and vision. You are now trained and well equipped to lead our institutions, communities, and people. You are the vanguard of a promising Jewish future."

The curriculum of the institute's two-year master's program offering a degree in Jewish professional studies includes Jewish studies, Jewish professional life, Jewish leadership and nonprofit management, according to an overview of the program.

"Spertus focuses on creating a culture of innovation, experimentation, creativity, and risk-tolerance," Dean Bell, Spertus's president and CEO, said at the Dec. 8 commencement ceremony. "It is this approach that animates the graduate programs we offer and the remarkable education that our students gain."

Other recent graduates of the Jewish professional studies program included:

• Mindy Berger of Rockville, Maryland, Senior Manager of Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
• Tamara Donnenfeld of Miami, Florida, Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Beth Am
• Ramona Marie Duwell of Wilmington, Delaware, Assistant Executive Director at the Siegel JCC
• Rebecca Frazin-Chan of Chicago, Director of Programming and Engagement at Chicago Sinai Congregation
• Cathy L. Gardner of Dayton, Ohio, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
• Steven Greenwood of North York, Ontario, Canada, Director of Development at the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee
• Risa Goldstein of Los Angeles, Director of PJ Library and PJ Our Way at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
• Genna Kahn of Chicago, Program Director, Teen Volunteering and Engagement at The Jewish United Fund of Chicago
• Rabbi Samuel Klein of Seattle, Director of Jewish Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
• Robin Loeb of Chicago, Associate Coordinator of Women's Programming at Chicago Torah Network
• Aaron H. Midler of Chicago, Attorney at West Monroe Partners LLC
• Tani Prell Epstein of Chicago, Sustaining Fellows Officer at the Art Institute of Chicago
• Yudi Rine of Chicago, Teacher and Photographer
• Rene A. Rusgo of Toledo, Ohio, Director, Jewish Living Center of Greater Toledo
• Joelle Swatez of Chicago, Development Associate at Hillel at the University of Chicago
• Jenna Turner of Long Grove, Director of Early Childhood Professional Learning at the Jewish United Fund of Chicago.

Additionally, Patti Cohen, of Winnipeg, Canada, earned a master of science in Jewish studies and Janice Westbrook, of Dallas, earned a doctor of science in Jewish studies and Rabbi Simcha Feurman earned a doctor of Hebrew letters.