JTS Taps Innovator Rabbi Mike Uram to Lead Its Next Chapter

NEW YORK, NY – April 30, 2026 – The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), the intellectual and spiritual heart of Conservative Judaism, today announced a significant leadership transition, naming Rabbi Mike Uram, a nationally recognized innovator in Jewish engagement, as its ninth Chancellor. The appointment, effective July 1, 2026, signals a bold strategic direction for the 140-year-old institution as it seeks to navigate a rapidly evolving American Jewish landscape.

Rabbi Uram will succeed Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz, who made history as the seminary's first female leader. After a successful tenure guiding JTS through a period of global turbulence, Chancellor Schwartz will transition to the role of Chancellor Emerita and remain a member of the faculty, ensuring a smooth and collaborative handover.

Uram’s selection is a departure from the seminary’s tradition of appointing leaders from the highest echelons of academia. A 2005 JTS-ordained rabbi without a doctorate, Uram has built his career not in the library or lecture hall, but on the front lines of Jewish community-building, developing new models for engaging younger generations who often feel disconnected from legacy institutions.

A Strategic Shift Towards Engagement

Rabbi Uram’s career has been defined by a mission to reinvent how Jewish organizations connect with people. For over 16 years as the Executive Director and Campus Rabbi at the University of Pennsylvania Hillel, he pioneered the “Jewish Renaissance Project,” an influential model of relational engagement that prioritized building personal connections with students outside the walls of the Hillel building. His approach, which focused on empowering students to create their own Jewish experiences, more than doubled student engagement and tripled the organization's budget.

His philosophy is detailed in his award-winning book, Next Generation Judaism: How College Students and Hillel Can Help Reinvent Jewish Organizations. The work serves as a playbook for legacy institutions, arguing that survival in the 21st century requires a fundamental shift from providing programs to fostering personal relationships and customized Jewish journeys.

This background makes him a unique choice for JTS, a decision the board sees as essential for the current moment. "As we build on that foundation, Rabbi Mike Uram is the right leader for this moment: grounded in Jewish learning at JTS, experienced in shaping educational strategy, and committed to developing the next generation of Jewish clergy, educators, and leaders," said Alan Levine, Chair of the JTS Board of Trustees. "We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Uram back as JTS's next Chancellor."

Uram, who currently serves as the first Chief Jewish Learning Officer at Jewish Federations of North America, sees his non-traditional path as a key asset. He brings deep experience from across the Jewish communal ecosystem, having consulted for a wide array of organizations and designed leadership programs for the Schusterman and Wexner foundations.

Navigating a Changing Jewish Landscape

The appointment comes as JTS and the Conservative movement face significant structural pressures. In an era of increasing polarization, the movement's traditional role as the center of American Jewish life has been challenged, leading to what some have called a declining “market share.” Rabbi Uram addresses this head-on, championing Conservative Judaism’s potential as a “muscular middle” capable of embracing complexity and nuance in a world that often demands simplicity.

He believes the aftermath of the October 7th attacks has created a profound “hunger to deepen a relationship with Judaism,” particularly among those re-examining their identity in the face of rising antisemitism. His vision for JTS is to meet this moment by becoming a more accessible resource for deep and authentic Jewish learning.

“JTS stands at a rare intersection of rigorous scholarship, religious practice, and community,” Rabbi Uram stated. “As someone shaped by this institution, I am honored to return and work together with faculty, students, alumni, administration, and partners to build on JTS's enduring strengths, while widening the circle of engagement with people of the American Jewish community, Israel, and around the world.”

His goal is to position JTS not just as a seminary for clergy but as a “deep R&D department for advancing Jewish knowledge” and accelerating that wisdom out into the broader community. This involves breaking down what he calls the “personal, spiritual, and intellectual boundaries” that can prevent individuals from forming self-actualized Jewish identities.

Building on a Resilient Foundation

Rabbi Uram will inherit an institution strengthened by the leadership of Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz. During her tenure, Chancellor Schwartz navigated JTS through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and a sharp rise in global antisemitism. According to Board Chair Alan Levine, she led with “clarity of vision and empathetic leadership, helping the institution grow to be even more resilient and more vibrant.”

Under her guidance, JTS expanded its academic footprint by launching new degree offerings, growing its faculty, and significantly expanding its online and public learning programs. These initiatives fortified the rabbinic pipeline and deepened the seminary's engagement across the wider Jewish world.

“Serving as Chancellor of JTS has been a tremendous honor, and I am deeply proud of what this community has built during a demanding yet important chapter,” said Chancellor Schwartz. She expressed strong confidence in her successor, noting, “Rabbi Uram brings a combination of intellectual depth, organizational vision, and formidable skills for engaging and growing Jewish communities. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition and to continuing my work at JTS.”

Her continued presence on the faculty as Chancellor Emerita is expected to provide stability and institutional knowledge, ensuring that the seminary’s academic rigor remains central to its mission even as it embarks on a new era of outreach and innovation. Rabbi Uram, who holds a BA in History and Religious Studies from Washington University in addition to his ordination from JTS, will relocate from the Philadelphia area to New York with his wife, Leora, and their three children.