Auburn Theological Seminary to Honor HIAS VP for Leadership

Rabbi Jennie Rosenn to be recognized at annual event alongside women leaders including Chelsea Clinton and Rev. Dr. Jacqueline J. Lewis

(New York, NY) – On Wednesday, April 23, faith leaders and social justice advocates will gather to honor Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, who serves as HIAS’ first ever Vice President for Community Engagement, alongside fellow leaders of faith and justice at the 18th annual Auburn Seminary Lives of Commitment Awards Benefit Breakfast.

Rabbi Rosenn recently joined HIAS, the global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees, in a newly created role, through which she is mobilizing the Jewish community to advance HIAS’ work with refugees in the United States and around the world. A visionary leader and strategist for social change, Rabbi Rosenn was the Director of the Jewish Life and Values Program at the Nathan Cummings Foundation. In that role from 2004 through 2012, she catalyzed the creation of several major new initiatives, including the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, an unprecedented consortium of 29 organizations, including HIAS, working collaboratively to strengthen and elevate social justice in the American Jewish community.

“It’s my privilege to work every day to engage the American Jewish community in creating a more just world,” says Rabbi Rosenn. “I am honored to be part of Auburn’s holy work ensuring that justice is woven into the fabric of American religious life.”

Faith and social justice leaders have long spoken for equality and social change and have a strong role in guiding the nation toward justice. Auburn’s annual Lives of Commitment Benefit Breakfast recognizes women leaders who shape the public discourse on pivotal social issues.

“The Lives of Commitment Benefit Breakfast honors courageous change makers,” said the Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson, president of Auburn Seminary. “These honorees are building congregations and communities, bridging divides, pursuing justice and healing the world.”

The breakfast, which is open to members of the media, will be held on Wednesday, April 23, from 7-10:30 a.m. at Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 East 42nd Street, in New York. The program will be held from 7:30-9 a.m., and a symposium with the honorees focusing on “authentic leadership” will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. Tickets to the event start at $250 per person, and additional information is available at the Auburn Seminary’s website.

Added Mark Hetfield, President and CEO of HIAS, “We are so thrilled to see Jennie honored for her lifetime commitment to social justice in our community. Jennie came to HIAS at this pivotal moment in the organization’s history to help us engage the American Jewish community in the work we do on its behalf to protect refugees. We knew we were lucky to have her join us, and we know how deserving she is of this recognition.”

In addition to Rabbi Rosenn, the Lives of Commitment honorees will include:

• Chelsea Clinton and Linda G. Mills, Ph.D., Co-Founders and Co-Chairs of the Advisory Board of the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership at New York University
• Patricia Fili-Krushel, Chairman of the NBCUniversal News Group
• Sapreet Kaur, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition
• The Rev. Dr. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Senior Minister at Middle Collegiate Church in New York