Mazel Tov, Rabbi Cahana!

Rabbi Cahana Presented with the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa

Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), awarded Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana with the Doctor of Divinity at Graduation Ceremonies in New York on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, recognizing his twenty-five years of distinguished professional service as an alumnus of HUC-JIR.

President Rehfeld stated, “We honor Rabbi Cahana for his dedicated service to the Jewish People and the larger world by fostering learning, community, social justice, and continuity of our heritage.”

Rabbi Cahana says, “I am honored to be receiving this degree along with my HUC-JIR classmates. It has been my greatest privilege to serve the Jewish community for the past 25 years since ordination, and I pray to be able to continue this service for years to come.”

HUC-JIR is North America’s premier institution of Jewish higher education and the center for professional leadership development of Reform Judaism. A multi-campus academic and spiritual learning community in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC-JIR builds vibrant progressive Judaism in North America, Israel, and around the globe.

HUC-JIR will bestow 95 degrees at Graduation and Ordination Ceremonies in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and New York on the Class of 2019’s cadre of new Jewish professional leaders for the Reform Movement.  Distinguished communal and civic leaders and alumni will be awarded honorary degrees and prizes in recognition of their service to Reform congregations and North American Jewry, and in honor of their humanitarian work.