followup: sh'liach k'hilah

[cellio]

I talked with my rabbi tonight and asked whether his sending me the brochure was an offer of sponsorship. (Each student needs a sponsoring rabbi.) He said yes.

Woo hoo! I am going to ask for more information about the curriculum from them, but at this point I intend to apply.

Logistics foo (ever the practically-minded...):

When I said "sponsorship" my rabbi initially thought I was talking about money. No, I don't think that will be a problem. (I'm assuming that tuition is paid one year at a time.)

Mid-July works just fine.

Due to my hoarding policy (combined with a generous company policy on holidays), I actually do have enough vacation time to be able to do this this year. (If push comes to shove I can shave a couple days off of Pennsic, but I'd rather not.)

I assume there are buses or trains or something between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Nope, not gonna drive that far alone. No idea how big the program is or whether anyone else from Pittsburgh will go. I don't think there'll be anyone else from my congregation.

They have a non-trivial list of points to be answered in an essay of two to four pages, double-spaced. Ah, a challenge.

Why in the world do they want photos as part of the application? Shrug. I can get someone to take a couple pictures of me, I'm guessing. :-)

Comments

[cecerose.livejournal.com]

Alright! Good luck with the application! I'm excited for you... =0)

[cellio]

Thanks! This will be really nifty if I'm accepted.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Sounds just like something you'll enjoy; I hope it works out, essays and all :-)

[cellio]

I think this will be really nifty, yes. Just to clarify on the essay: my problem isn't writing it; it's cramming that much information into that little space. And no, I'm not going to play font games; I'll just have to craft it carefully. :-)

[rectangularcat]

Congratulations - this is well deserved! I know this isn't an award but being sponsored is recognition!

[cellio]

Thanks! Yes, that kind of validation from my rabbi is just as important as any formal recognition.

[estherchaya.livejournal.com]

The photos could be for a number of reasons... some college applications require them too.

Anyway, it could be that one is for a nametag and the other is for a photo book of all those in attendance. Not entirely sure, though. Usually the sort of picture required with college applications is a passport-sized photo, but they don't seem to specify, so I dunno. You'd think that if it had a publishing purpose, they'd specify size and/or format.

[cellio]

Yeah, I'm assuming it's not for publication, but who knows? Maybe I'll ask, but probably I'll just submit something generic and go from there.

It does feel a lot like applying for grad school, but without the GREs and hefty application fees.

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

That was my guess on the photos. Probably provides a way for folks to get to know each other quickly.

[murmur311.livejournal.com]

that's cool. sounds like you'll have no problem with the application.

where is this being held in cincinnati? HUC? if you end up coming maybe i could meet up with you for lunch or something (as i am, in fact, a native cincinnatian).

[cellio]

Aha -- you're the one. :-) I remembered that someone on my friends list was in Cincinnati...

Yes, it's at HUC. Assuming I get accepted, I'd love to take the opportunity to meet you while I'm there!

Woo hoo

[lefkowitzga.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! No one could be more deserving. You will be a credit to the program, I'm sure.

If you want, I can take some photos on Sunday.

Re: Woo hoo

[cellio]

Thanks!

I'll be in garb on Sunday, and I fear that might be TMI for the admissions folks, but could we get together some other time when I'll be more normal-looking? :-)

[kiane36.livejournal.com]

I am so pleased for you! I know that you will do well with the application and essays but wanted to tell you good luck with the whole program. What a wonderful feeling it must be to have your rabbi show you how much he values you by offering sponsorship to a program that you have found exciting and interesting. Did he know that you you had previously known and thought about this school or is this a wonderful heaven-inspired
coincidence?
Someday, I would love to talk with you about your faith. I am adopted and having found my birth-mother, learned that her family were jewish. They are no longer practicing but I am interested in what that means. Sorry for such a confusing note.

GOOD LUCK
Kiane

[cellio]

Thanks!

Did he know that you you had previously known and thought about this school or is this a wonderful heaven-inspired coincidence?

The latter, as far as I know -- though he knows me well enough to have possibly put the following facts together: (1) the program has been mentioned in the movement's quarterly magazine; (2) I read that stuff; (3) this would be interesting to me; and (4) I hadn't yet come to him about it. I didn't ask. I did tell him that I'd been eyeing that program, after we talked about this.

Someday, I would love to talk with you about your faith. I am adopted and having found my birth-mother, learned that her family were jewish. They are no longer practicing but I am interested in what that means.

Sure, happy to! Feel free to send me email, or ask questions, or whatever.

Was your mother's mother Jewish? Or did it come from her father's side of the family? If it came down your mother's side of the family, then you're technically Jewish too.

[goljerp]

I hate to post a comment that just says "cool", but I think everyone else has covered the bases (and I can't take too long a break 'cause Shabbat is not all that far away...)

So, Cool!

[cellio]

Thanks!

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

I am so happy for you. I really think they'd be fools not to accept you, but I'll say a prayer for you as you do the application anyway.

I am really happy for you! :-)

[cellio]

Thanks!

I'm gathering application materials now -- have professional and personal references lined up, and starting to think about my essay.