Gratz College

10/27/2026

Join us for our inaugural Scholar Salon Series in Bala Cynwyd. We're holding candid conversations over kosher w**e with Gratz faculty on today’s most relevant topics!

In the first one on Thursday, November 12th, Gratz President Zev Eleff will talk about history, higher education and the Jewish future.

What can earlier transformations in American Jewish life teach us about the present? Dr. Eleff will consider the future of American Judaism and Gratz’s role in preparing those who will shape it.

https://www.gratz.edu/news-and-events/event-calendar/gratz-scholar-salons

10/26/2026

Show your school spirit with some Gratz Gear! Cold weather items have been added in time for Chanukah. Deadline to purchase: November 8th

Online ordering for Gratz College 2026 ends on Sun, Nov 8, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)

10/26/2026

Sign up for our very FIRST lunch and learn in Bala Cynwyd at Gratz Commonspace!

Melissa R. Klapper is giving a book talk: Gender, Judaism & American Identity in the Rise of Mass Tourism

November 19th, 12:00 pm

https://www.gratz.edu/news-and-events/event-calendar/ll-at-home-in-the-world

Don't forget to follow Gratz on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gratzcollege/

Join Gratz College for “At Home in the World,” a Lunch and Learn with Dr. Melissa R. Klapper exploring American Jewish women travelers abroad from 1865–1940.

10/22/2026

📚 On Sunday, October 25, join Congregation Mikveh Israel - Synagogue of the American Revolution and Gratz College for “Revolutionary Family: The Gratz Legacy in Philadelphia and the Nation,” a special America 250 program exploring one of the most influential Jewish families in early American history.

Just In: The panel will include historian of American Jewish history, Jonathan Sarna!

www.gratz.edu/registration-forms/revolutionary-family

10/21/2026

October is American Archives month! 📔 💪 📜 ✏️ 💾 🔊 🎞️

In her blog, Gratz digital archivist Anne Flannery highlights the vital role archives play in preserving our collective memory and making history accessible to future generations. From local archives across Philadelphia to the treasures stored in our own homes, archives help connect the past with the present.

“Archives are not simply places where history is stored. They are living resources that help us ask new questions, make unseen histories more visible, and better understand our shared past.”

Read the full blog to learn about Archives Month, discover Philadelphia's rich archival community, and learn how the Grayzel Digital Platform helps to preserve history.

Link in the comments.



Philadelphia Jewish History Tours
The Library Company of Philadelphia

10/20/2026

We were delighted to partner with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Philadelphia to bring influencer/activist Hen Mazzig and restauranteur Michael Solomonov together for this INCREDIBLE program on October 13.

Hen spoke about his Middle Eastern history, his grandmother's recipes, and how he handles the fame that comes with being a proud Zionist and having millions of followers, while maintaining a private life. The auditorium erupted with applause throughout the conversation.

Of the haters in the comments of social platforms, he said, "The loudest people are in the minority, in the fringe. We can't let them take over."

We are especially that Hen is a master's degree student in our antisemitism studies program!

Pictured below, star-struck Gratz staff (Naomi Housman, Mindy Saifer Cohen, Lori Cohen) and Gratz antisemitism studies student Barbara Beloff Rosenau pose with Hen, who is graciously holding his new Gratz swag bag.

Hen: We hope to see you at commencement on May 23rd!

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

10/15/2026

We are SOOOO excited to share that our Bala Cynwyd campus is ready for its reveal! It’s the same warm and inviting Gratz you remember from 10th & Tabor and from Melrose Park. Our educational mission remains the same, but now we’re ready to spread our wings in a brand new space and vibe!

Experience GRATZ COMMONSPACE at our open house on November 15th, from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Come for the day or stop in for a tour. The community ribbon-cutting is at 1:00 pm.

Kosher food is available. There will be plenty of vendors, family-friendly activities, and opportunities for learning.

Learn more and visit our new Gratz College gathering place: https://www.gratz.edu/news-and-events/event-calendar/gratz-commonspace-launch/~board/news-and-events/post/celebrate-the-opening-of-gratz-commonspace

Would you or your organization like to run a table at the open house? Reach out to Tara Cherwony at [email protected] for more information.

10/13/2026

The full speaker lineup is here!

Keynotes
Hon. Michele Bachmann
Dr. Os Guinness

The Bible and the American Founding
Dr. Mark David Hall · Dr. Avital H. Levi · Dr. A.J. Nolte

The Forgotten Impact of America's Hebraic Roots
Rev. Dr. Gerald R. McDermott · Dr. Dyanne K. Martin · Dr. Zev Elef

Teaching America's Hebraic Roots to the Next Generation
Roya Hakakian · Dr. Katie Posey · Liz Berger

Hebraic Roots of the American Founding — October 29–30 in Philadelphia, a few blocks from Independence Hall, in America's 250th year.

Thursday evening opens with a screening of "Jewish Patriots of the American Revolution."

Register here: https://www.regent.edu/hebraicroots

Presented by the Israel Institute at Regent University and Gratz College.

10/13/2026

Help Us Reach 25 Letters for Archives Month! ✉️ ✒️

Since the beginning of October, we've been celebrating by inviting volunteers to help transcribe the Rebecca Gratz Correspondence on the Grayzel Digital Platform.

Our goal is to transcribe 25 historic letters by the end of October—and we need more volunteers to make it happen!

Rebecca Gratz (1781–1869) was a pioneering Jewish educator and philanthropist whose legacy helped shape Jewish education in America and inspired the founding of Gratz College.

Here's how you can help:
Volunteer to transcribe just ONE handwritten letter! No archival or transcription experience is necessary—we'll provide instructions and guidance.

Your contribution will help make these historical documents more searchable, accessible, and useful for future generations.

Help us reach our goal! Sign up today by filling out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNDAojc7W_f3Z2HggIvLx9b3ne1YDgSlAJM0W1-LXHPfmB-w/viewform

Together, we can preserve history, one letter at a time!

View the Rebecca Gratz Correspondence:
https://grayzel.gratz.edu/digital-collection/rebecca-gratz-correspondence

Sign up to transcribe history one letter at a time!