As the summer winds down and we prepare literal or proverbial backpacks, what does Jewish tradition offer us at this threshold of new beginnings? Whether or not you or someone you love is going back to school, this interactive, text-based session, is for you to explore how Jewish wisdom—from ancient to modern voices—can help anyone approach the year with intention, meaning, and heart. Together we’ll uncover and create insights about the sacredness of learning, the role of teachers, and the power of starting fresh. Open to all ages and backgrounds - whether you’re a life long learner or a formal student/educator or their support system - come ready to reflect, share, and begin the year with purpose.

Rabbi Elisha Gechter has been working in the Boston Jewish Community for 18 years helping to nurture belonging. She loves to officiate and teach and currently serves as the Senior Director of Community Engagement at Harvard Hillel after more than a decade of running Wexner Israel Programs at Harvard Kennedy School. Previously she worked to connect people searching for community and for Jewish wisdom as the Associate Director of Adult Learning and Community Engagement at Hebrew College and fundraised with local young leaders at CJP. She has ordination from Yeshivat Maharat in NY, a BA in psychology from Yeshiva University’s Stern College and an MA/MBA from Brandeis’ Heller Hornstein Program in Jewish Leadership and Non-Profit Management. She serves as past president of the board of Mayyim Hayyim Mikvah and Education Center and lives in Somerville, MA with her husband and two kids. She attends minyan at Minyan Tehillah at the Tremont Street Shul.