David Starr

Some strong continuities and discontinuities describe the arc of my life. Many European immigrant relatives gave me a deep sense of history as personal memory as well as geographically exotic. My father’s work in a series of academic, communal, and civic education spaces imparted a service ethic of ethical and intellectual advocacy. In my late teens and early twenties I began exploring other ideas and visions of community, centering mostly around more traditional notions of Jewish faith and practice. That led me to the rabbinate, and to a career that combines academics, education, and religious-communal work.

At present I’m writing two books: a biography of Solomon Schechter, and a study of the Me’ah program (an intensive Jewish literacy two-year course for adults) and American Jewish identity.

I was born in New York City, and grew up mostly in Boston and Minnesota. I’ve also worked in Washington D.C. and Israel. I now live in Brookline, MA with my wife and daughters.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Columbia University in the City of New York (1992 — 2003)
• M.A Rabbinical Ordination (1985 — 1990)
• B.A University of Minnesota

Companies

• Faculty Hult International Business School (2020)
• Research Associate, Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry Brandeis University (2016)
• Founder and Executive Director Tzion (2012)
• Faculty Wexner Foundation (2009)
• Instructor Gann Academy (2012 — 2016)
• Charles R. Bronfman Professor in Jewish Communal Innovation Brandeis University (2010 — 2011)
• Senior Advisor Tikvah Fund (2010 — 2011)
• Vice President Hebrew College (2008 — 2010)
• Dean, Me'ah Hebrew College (1994 — 2010)