Rabbi Elyse Winick '86, who has served as interim Jewish chaplain for more than a year, is now the "unconditional" Jewish chaplain of the University, according to a campuswide e-mail from Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer yesterday.Winick "confirmed her unconditional status" as Jewish chaplain on campus and "accepted [the University's] offer to remove the interim condition from her appointment," Sawyer wrote.

When asked about the timeline for the decision, Associate Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams said that this has been a consideration "for a while, this is a process." He also said that the decision was a joint effort between Winick and the University.

"I think what taking out the 'interim' title means is a greater commitment on the part of the University to have her on a regular position," Coordinator of the Interfaith Chaplaincy Rev. Dr. Walter Cuenin, the Catholic chaplain of the University, said. "It's an affirmation on the part of the University of the importance of Jewish life on the campus and for us as chaplains. . This just makes it more official of her presence with us," he said.

Winick did not respond to requests for comment and could not be reached before press time.

Cuenin explained that Winick is not on campus every day of the week because she is also the associate director of KOACH, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's College Outreach Program, which "provides college-age students the opportunity to maintain and develop connections to Conservative Judaism," according to its Web site. This will not change with her newly solidified status as official Jewish chaplain.

The other members of the Brandeis chaplaincy, as well as students and members of the Brandeis community, value Winick as an important member of the community and are pleased that her position is now solidified as Jewish chaplain.

"[Winick] has been a great asset to the Brandeis community," Alex Kern, the Protestant chaplain for the University, said. "She's a wonderful colleague, an excellent educator, a wise mentor, and readily available to students, faculty and staff. [She's] very learned as a Brandeis alum and brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the Brandeis community that simply will enrich [the] lives of those on campus," Kern said.

"This is something that was really long overdue, and Rabbi Winick needs to be here and part of this community," Bryan Wexler '09, president of Hillel, said. "She's such an asset to the Jewish community and to the Jewish students on campus. She's an incredible leader and role model and thinker, and a phenomenal chaplain. She has and will continue to serve the Jewish students and any students who will seek her out in a wonderful way," Wexler said.

Adams said, "Before I even met her, Rabbi Winick was spoken fondly of by all who had ever experienced her, so there was a reputation that preceded her, and now that I've actually had the opportunity to be in the same space as [Winick], it has been nothing short of family."

"The students are the fuel for her engine and Brandeis University is the vehicle that she loves being in. . I think [Winick] bleeds our colors," Adams said. "We're an above-average institution so we need above-average folks, and she has been fabulous, ... and it's nice to be able to allow this position to exist with her in the driver's seat," he said.

"It's a delight to work with her, and I think it's wonderful to have a woman rabbi," Cuenin said. "Rabbi Winick is very personable. She's very knowledgeable in Jewish tradition and yet very contemporary and open to modern discussions. . It has been a blessing to have her as part of the community. We're glad to have her as part of the chaplaincy," he said.

"It's very good that there's someone for the whole Jewish community on a permanent basis," Ezra Fishman '09, a gabbai, a coordinator of Jewish services in the Brandeis University Conservative Organization, said. "She really has something to offer to everyone," he said.

"Conservative and Reform groups on campus and Jews who aren't affiliated with any [particular] group will feel comfortable talking to her," said Shira M. T. Rosenblum '10, a former gabbai in BUCO.

Mimi Cooper '10, a member of Brandeis Orthodox Organization, said that even though Winick is a Conversative rabbi, it's "important that she's able to [work] comfortably within different [religious] groups on campus."



-Shana D. Lebowtiz contributed reporting.