Mark Fishman

Mark Fishman, 29, has been “passionate about Judaism and Jewish studies” since he studied philosophy at Manchester University in England nearly a decade ago. Today, the London native is studying for semicha (rabbinical ordination) at the Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Rabbinical Seminary, with the aim of building a career in Jewish communal work. “I hope to be in a strong, commanding position to return to the Diaspora as a community leader,” he says.

After completing his degree in philosophy, Mark studied in a Jerusalem yeshiva for three years, during which time he met and married his Canadian-born wife, Sarah, who was working as a psychologist in the Hadassah University Hospital outpatient trauma unit. A year later, the couple moved to Montreal so that Sarah could complete her doctorate in clinical psychology. In order to facilitate the transition, Mark became involved with the city’s Torah MiTzion kollel. He was soon asked to give a class to a women’s group, then hired to teach an entire Jewish education series, and eventually named to head a women’s midrasha program.

In that position, Mark strived to make Torah learning accessible to as many women as possible. On Shavuot, he organized afternoon learning sessions, understanding that traditional, all-night Torah study was unrealistic for many young mothers. The shiurim attracted 150 women. As word spread about Mark’s enthusiastic and dynamic teaching style, he was soon offered additional teaching positions at synagogues, schools and organizations across Montreal.

“As I became more involved in my work, I realized that I was headed toward a career in Jewish communal work,” he recalls. “I knew that I needed rabbinical ordination in order to make that happen, so I came to the Straus Seminary over the summer for a one-month trial period. I was extremely impressed by the diversity of classes and the atmosphere on the Israel Henry Beren Campus and decided to enroll in the David Falk Kollel, in order to enhance my Jewish learning and attain semicha.”

Mark and Sarah returned to Israel – and the Straus Seminary – at the beginning of the 2007 academic year. Sarah is working as a psychologist, and the couple expects their first baby in the spring. Mark has a partial scholarship from the Young Leadership Division of the British Jewish community and maintains close contact with the office of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. “I am looking forward to working in and strengthening the British Jewish community,” he says.

“My studies at the Straus Seminary are providing me with a greater understanding of religious texts as well as issues pertaining to contemporary Jewish life. This has certainly strengthened my ambition to make a deep impact on a Diaspora community, either as a pulpit rabbi or in Jewish education. The Kollel program truly is unique in its ability to provide students with the training and the courage to face complex modern issues, to ensure a strong leadership for the Jewish future.”

Unlike many institutions, Mark continues, “This yeshiva is not passive. They are actively advancing the role of women in the Jewish community, as well as proclaiming the centrality of Israel in our homes and our hearts. Our teachers are dynamic and inspirational leaders in their own right. Although these studies are quite intensive – from early morning to evening – I cannot get enough.

“I have an even deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment in my life,” Mark concludes. “I’m living out my dreams. I’m just afraid that my three years here will pass too quickly!”

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