advertisement

Spertus Institute Welcomes New Trustee from Lincolnshire

On May 15, 2020, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning & Leadership announced that Lincolnshire resident Dr. Alicia Gejman joined its Board of Trustees.

Gejman is the current Director of Family Education at North Suburban Beth El Synagogue in Highland Park, where she directs the Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School, the Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School, and the Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School.

In her career as an educator, Dr. Gejman has held positions of Principal at West Suburban Temple Har Zion in River Forest, where she served for thirteen years, and as Director of Makor Or and the Special Needs Center of the Board of Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago.

Like Shelley Stern Grach, Gejman was introduced to Spertus as a student.

As an alumna of Spertus Institute's Doctor of Science in Jewish Studies degree program, she is passionate about the Institute's work inspiring leaders and communities.

"I was always inspired by the Spertus symbol 'Yehi Or-Let there be light,'" she said of the Hebrew tagline in the Institute's logo. "This motif expresses the deepest aspirations of Jews to contribute to the betterment of society through educational transformation. I look forward to volunteering my time and effort in helping advance Spertus' mission."

Gejman is a native of Argentina and lived in Israel for many years. While in Israel, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education Counseling from Bar-Ilan University and then a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from The Hebrew University. She later completed an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Washington University.

Her Spertus doctoral dissertation was on Judeo-Spanish proverbs and how to teach them to elucidate a deeper understanding of the Sephardic worldview. Reflecting on her studies, Gejman said she feels more grounded in learning and more equipped to develop curriculum, ready to inspire lifelong learners.

With her husband, Dr. Pablo Gejman, a researcher/physician, she has raised two children. Ron, who will begin his medical residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston this June and Maya, who works as a nurse in Chicago.

Along with Gejman, Spertus Institute also welcomed Shelley Stern Grach--past Director of Civic Engagement for Microsoft Corporation--to its Board of Trustees.

Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership offers dynamic learning opportunities rooted in Jewish wisdom and culture and open to all. Graduate programs and workshops train future leaders and engage individuals in exploration of Jewish life. Public programs-including films, exhibitions, speakers, seminars, workshops, and concerts-take place at the Institute's Michigan Avenue facility, in the Chicago suburbs, and online at Spertus.edu.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.