Shuly Rubin Schwartz began her work as the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary nearly two years ago, but it wasn’t until May 17, 2022, that the Conservative Movement flagship formally celebrated Schwartz’s appointment, which makes her the first woman to lead the 136-year-old seminary.

In a speech delivered at the seminary’s Manhattan home, the chancellor remarked on her own Conservative Jewish upbringing and the inspiration of her mother, an executive director of a Jewish children’s services agency. She said that studies show that “fewer Jews are building rich, sustaining Jewish lives bound up with the Jewish story, Jewish practice and learning, and helping Jews in need.” To address this, she said JTS would expand its cultural programming, both in person and virtually.

Prior to the chancellorship, she served as provost at JTS and was for 25 years dean of the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies.