Susan Schechter

Susan is associate professor emerita at Brandeis University where, for over twenty-five years, she taught in and then directed the Hornstein Program in Jewish Communal Service (now Jewish Professional Leadership). She has helped numerous foundations, schools, synagogues and agencies plan, implement and/or evaluate programs such as Hebrew charter schools, family education, and professional development programs for Jewish educators. Susan recently served as faculty on the OnBoard initiative that prepares newly appointed board members of Jewish non-profit organizations for their responsibilities. She has also served on several boards including the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston, JESNA (Jewish Educational Service of North America), and the Jewish Communal Service Association.

Susan presently teaches one course on leadership in the Rabbinical School as a member of the adjunct faculty. The spring semester of 2019 will be her last semester in this role.

Susan’s research and teaching focus on organizational culture and change, leadership in non-profit organizations, and pluralism in Jewish life. She has published numerous articles and monographs and is finishing a book on pluralism in Jewish education. Susan holds undergraduate degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary (history) and Columbia University (urban planning) and a doctorate from Harvard University in educational planning and social policy. When not working, Susan especially enjoys art, architecture, gardens, travel, and time with her family – her husband, children, step-children and, especially, her four young grandchildren.