The Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies provides adults with high-quality, in-depth encounters with Jewish thought, history, and culture. Our Institute’s demographic has historically consisted of local to the area, older Jewish adults. The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to become solely reliant on an online platform, and a silver lining quickly emerged. The Institute’s vision of a Jewish community enriched through lifelong Jewish learning flourished in many new ways, now reaching a larger and more geographically diverse audience with more programs and classes than ever before! So what happens next?

Matthew Silverman became the Executive Director of the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies in April 2020. He is native of Northern VA and graduated magna cum laude from James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and religion. He also attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he received a Master of Theological Studies degree and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College where he received a Master of Arts in Jewish Studies degree. Most recently he served as the Assistant Director of the religious school at Congregation Emanu El in Houston, TX where he developed and implemented programs for all ages. Matt has worked and taught in numerous Jewish organizations throughout the country including: the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Camp Ramah Darom, Hillels of Georgia, and Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Philadelphia. Matt lives in Maryland with his wife, Jill, and two daughters, Nava and Miri. Family time is filled with gardening, fused glass art projects, chasing their dog, and bouncing on their new trampoline.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/788352437

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