Portrait of Adrienne Nolan

Adrienne Nicole Nolan M.A. Jewish Professional Studies

I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to study in the MA in Jewish Professional Studies, alongside a diverse and passionate group of students. My studies have allowed me to reinvigorate and deepen my knowledge of Judaism and Hebrew language and has also provided me with new tools and perspectives to apply to my own work as an employee of Gratz College.




portrait of B.J. Davis

B.J. Davis MA Jewish Studies

My teachers were amazing, and my classmates were some of the most intelligent, insightful, creative, and inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure to learn with. My time and experiences at Gratz have been transformative and allowed me to meet so many interesting people and the opportunity to really push myself--way beyond what I thought I was capable of achieving. I have so many new skills, and best of all, a new sense of confidence that will stay with me the rest of my life.



Portrait of Bryan Goetsch and a woman

Bryan Joseph Goetsch Jr. M.A. Holocaust & Genocide Studies

Being able to explore the depth of circumstances which led to the Holocaust has proven to be the most impactful study I have ever embarked upon. I was learning something new every day.



Portrait of Catherine Helen Franke with her dog

Catherine Helen Franke Master of Education

I have been inspired by what I've been learning and have incorporated many of the principles and some of the texts into my own curriculum development. Some of the courses I've taken have changed the way I do things in the classroom. Apart from this, it has been wonderful to be part of a community driven by civil rights and the belief that our youth deserve honor, respect, love, and celebration.




Cierra Jacoby portrait

Cierra Jacoby Master of Education

I appreciate all the time, effort, feedback, and encouragement that all of my professors here at Gratz gave me. I have learned so much that I can take with me and apply to my classroom to become an even better advocate for all of my students.



Dafna Meltzer headshot

Dafna Meltzer Ed.D. Jewish Education

It was a long road and I am grateful to all who made this possible.




Portrait of David Malter

David B. Malter Ed.D.

I would like to thank everyone at Gratz, especially Dr. Amanda Neill and Dr. Honour Moore, for their guidance, wisdom and belief. A huge thank you to my wife, Pam, for her patience and love, my family for their unwavering support and all my friends and colleagues who believed in this work and my ability to do it justice.




Portrait of Dianne Mandel

Dianne L. Mandel Master of Education

As I complete my masters degree in Educational Leadership, I am more confident and better prepared to guide young learners and help them to realize their full potential.



Portrait of Eugene Thomas Search

Eugene Thomas Search M.A. Jewish Studies

My time spent studying at Gratz has been very integral to my professional career development as a Jewish Chaplain. I credit Gratz with giving me the opportunity and the resources to explore my Jewishness and integrate Jewish thought into a theory of spiritual care that will support others.



Portrait of Gigi Diller Bizar

Gigi Diller Bizar M.A. Holocaust & Genocide Studies

Gratz changed my life. I engaged in the most meaningful discourse about the ramifications of Genocide. I learned the history of the Holocaust in a very in-depth manner that helped me gain a much more wide-reaching understanding. I learned about things I had never thought about before and am encouraged to keep learning. I am forever grateful to my professors and colleagues for the inspiration to continue fighting for a better world.



Portrait of Irvin Krick

Irvin F. Krick III M.A. Jewish Studies

I decided to attend Gratz to increase my understanding of Jewish history and beliefs. The professors have given me a great deal of guidance and expertise. They have helped me to visualize and more clearly teach Jewish history. One of many things that I will be taking away from my time at Gratz is the need and continued desire to keep researching the history and faith of the Jewish people. Many thanks.



Portrait of Jennifer Miller

Jennifer Miller Master of Education

The most meaningful portion of my studies at Gratz was the genuine love of teaching that was exhibited by my fellow classmates. Each classmate shared their ideas and experiences from within their own classroom with one another for the good of the group and the students that they will be teaching.




John A Diamond portrait

John A. Damond M.A. Holocaust & Genocide Studies

I was a part of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program, and it is difficult to say something that isn't either too bleak or too unrealistically hopeful. The professors taught with authority, humility, and empathy, and they helped to instill those qualities in us. I am forever grateful.


Portrait of Kelly Berry

Kelly Berry M.A. Holocaust & Genocide Studies

The care and concern of all of the educators on staff was most meaningful to me. They want you to learn with confidence.

Portrait of Kevin Fillingim

Kevin S. Fillingim M.A. Jewish Professional Studies

My journey at Gratz has been a fulfillment of a dream that wasn't possible years ago. What began as a personal passion grew into something with more meaning to me than I ever could have foreseen; That is because of the incredible staff, teachers and fellow students at Gratz who have done so much to inspire. They have made this impossibility a possibility. I owe the Hebrew and Yiddish department a special debt of gratitude and can only hope to be a reflection of the light in the darkness they are to so many students. I take with me a wealth of knowledge and the humble pride in being a part of the long history of Gratz College.




Portrait of Kimberly Anne Smith

Kimberly Anne Smith M.A. Jewish Studies

Studying for my M.A. in Jewish Studies has enhanced my life in numerous ways. Expansion of Jewish knowledge is just a small, but important, part of what I will take away. But more significantly, this program has reintroduced me to Jewish community, intellect and ethical purpose. I will be forever grateful for this experience.



Portrait of Kimberly Schultz

Kimberly Schultz M.A. Holocaust & Genocide Studies

My experience at Gratz has helped me view the world through a different lens, helping me as a public school educator. I will forever cherish this experience as it has also helped me grow both personally and spiritually. Thank you for building my confidence in the field of Holocaust and Genocide, as it is a topic that must never be forgotten.



Portrait of Liane Simone Friedberg

Liane Simone Friedberg M.S. Nonprofit Management

The most meaningful part of my studies at Gratz was the passion the professors had in the classroom. I am grateful for all the professors that took the time to get to know me, my peers, and to really understand what our passions were as well, and how we can apply to our every day lives and in our careers.



Louise Moyer portrait

Louise E. Moyer Master of Education

I really enjoyed the practical focus and application of many of my Gratz classes that were designed to encourage the sharing of best practices among classmates and professors to allow us to better reach the students within our care.



Portrait of Miki Jona Schreiber

Miki Jona Schreiber M.A. Holocaust & Genocide Studies

Studying at Gratz connected me to a diverse learning environment. My classmates and professors came from across the globe and brought unique perspectives and experiences. We bonded over our shared passion and empowered each other to continue to teach about the Holocaust and its continued relevance in today's world.



Naomi Wittlin smiling portrait

Naomi Wittlin M.A. Jewish Studies

The Gratz MAJS program opened my eyes to a wide variety of Biblical and modern texts, to historical issues in Jewish life, and to strategies for reading about and better understanding Jewish culture and religion around the world today. The discussion forums in my courses were engaging because of their depth and breadth of issues. I especially enjoyed the strong relationships I formed with professors and the new friendships I found with fellow students.



Portrait of Rabbi Sarah Meytin

Rabbi Sarah M. Meytin Master of Education

I appreciated the opportunity to dive more deeply into so many aspects of teaching, from the role history/culture plays in current educational policy and practice, to lesson planning, executive functioning, and the legal frameworks and context for serving and meeting children's needs. It was a valuable program and I will take the skills and knowledge directly back to my school and my practice.



Portrait of Rachel Bloom

Rachel Bloom M.S. Camp Administration and Leadership

Gratz has given me the unique opportunity to study what I love. The most meaningful part throughout has been connecting with incredible peers while learning from top industry leaders. I will use the knowledge and skills learned here every day as I continue to grow professionally and work to make a difference in my field.


Portrait of Rebecca Charhon

Rebecca Charhon M.Ed. Jewish Instructional Education

Having such a strong variety of courses and extremely knowledgeable professors accessible to me were the most critical parts of my success during my studies. By taking courses directly related to the work I was already doing as an educator (such as courses on teaching Israel Education and working with Jewish adolescents), made my Masters Degree in Jewish Instructional Education even more meaningful to my life.


Portrait of Renita Sutton Richardson

Renita Sutton Richardson Master of Education

While attending Gratz I was challenged to personally strive to be “The best intentional Educator that I can be”. I am confident that my students will experience a heightened level of exploration and creativity under my guidance. I am very grateful for my time at Gratz College.




Sarah Wells portrait

Sarah Wells Master of Education

I enjoyed the professors and the knowledge that I gained from taking courses at Gratz.


Portrait of Stefanie Coffey

Stefanie Coffey Master of Education

The courses at Gratz College have challenged me and given me the tools to be a more educated, creative, and thoughtful teacher and colleague. The instructional, growth mindset, and wellness courses have given me the confidence to take on more leadership positions at work and try new things.




Portrait of Susan Wollock

Susan Wollock Master of Education

I am a lifelong learner. I love gaining new knowledge, honing my skills, and sharing my experiences. Gratz has allowed me to do all of these things. My peers have helped me to add to my toolbox, and my teachers have opened up my horizons to new ideas and different perspectives. Thank you Gratz for being an integral part of my learning journey!


Portrait of Tara Sutker Ohayon

Tara Sutker Ohayon M.A. Jewish Professional Studies

My studies at Gratz helped me to see diverse perspectives and explore big ideas. I was able to learn about new topics and dive deeper into ideas of interest. Every class helped to enrich my work as a Jewish Communal Professional and I am so thankful for this opportunity.


Zachary Max Schaffer headshot

Zachary Max Schaffer M.S. Nonprofit Management

My time with Gratz has been an invaluable gift and catalyst for my Jewish nonprofit career. Gratz's practitioner-oriented approach empowered me with the tangible skills to navigate the complex challenges of my industry and take on exciting new roles. With the help of this degree, I have embarked on new paths such as the first-time executive director of a NY-based Jewish nonprofit and now as a proud co-founder of a national Jewish organization.


portrait of Angela Sweeney

Angela D. Sweeney Master of Education

My time at Gratz College has significantly enriched my comprehension of justice, equity, and peace. Through impactful professors who exemplified equity and immersive learning, I've gained a new and multifaceted understanding of education. This experience equips me to effectively apply these principles in my teaching career, fostering inclusive environments, and guiding students toward a deeper appreciation of these essential values.