Josh Dorsch

Hey Harford Hillel,

My name is Josh Dorsch, I am a fourth year rabbinical school student at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Last year I had the opportunity to spend High Holidays with the Hartford Hillel; I am really excited to be returning this year and to be serving the community for the academic year.

I just returned to New York after spending last year studying in Jerusalem. While in Israel, I had a lot of great experiences—including the opportunity to serve as a student Rabbi at Temple Shalom, which is a Masorti (traditional/Conservative) community located in Tel Aviv, and I spent this past summer working as a Rosh Kvutzah (group leader) for Ramah Israel Seminar and traveled all over the country. This past year, I also had the opportunity to travel internationally, going to Jordan, Egypt, and Senegal, and I visited Jewish communities in London, Paris, and Rome. I learned a lot from these experiences—I am eager to process and share what I learned with you.

Originally from Philadelphia (Go Phillies), and a former competitive Table Tennis Player, I was an active member of USY and attended Camp Ramah in the Poconos. In 2004, I graduated from List College with a BA in Political Science from Columbia University and earned a second simultaneously from JTS in Talmud and Rabbinics.

Thanks so much for welcoming me into your community – I am looking forward to what I hope will be a great year, and embarking on an engaging and fun filled journey together which will be filled with learning, and spiritual and religious exploration.

B’Shalom,

Josh