Brookwrite

National Signing Day

National Signing Day has come and gone. This winter was a particularly heated one, but not just because of the unseasonably warm January temperatures. The competition for the nation's top recruiting prospects was especially fierce, with every major institution of higher learning trying to sign tomorrow's greatest.

So it's no surprise that there's no clear winner in the race for the top recruiting class. As reported on ravals.com, every seminary and university received pivotal acceptances from the best rabbis, cantors, and educators-to-be nationwide.

There's no holiday in these recruiting wars. Not even a High Holiday. In fact, that's one of the best times to see what a prospect can deliver in front of a big crowd.

"We have our own Friday Night Lights," says scouting analyst Bill Cohn. "They just happen to be shabbat candles."

The change in chancellors didn't slow down the Jewish Theological Seminary's signings. Whether because of a last recruiting hurrah for Ismar Schorsch or an early sign of things to come from new chancellor-elect Arnold Eisen, the transition did nothing to scare key talent to other schools.

"This is definitely the finest class of recruits we've had so far during my tenure," said Eisen, who assumes his duties this summer.

Across the country, the west coast University of Judaism, had its own success. While longer-established institutions might have a traditionally broader recruiting reach, the UJ is far from a mere regional player. Relatively new at sending rabbis into the professional ranks, UJ's version of the West Coast Offense allows it to recruit a wider range of prospects than those focused on one particular movement.

"We have seven of the top 25 recruits, according to ravals.com," says Dr. Robert Wexler, president of UJ. "We're ready to suit up on any given Saturday."

And why is this class different from all other classes for Hebrew Union College? Both the New York and Cincinnati campuses had strong showings, not only in rabbinical and cantorial specialists, but with many promising youths for more general positions as well.

"Two campuses, why shouldn't we have twice the recruiting success?" asks Rabbi David Ellenson, president of HUC. "We attracted some quality talent. Some defensive, yes. But you can't let your class be too offensive, you know."

While we hope to not see any riots on Saturdays next fall, it will be hard to miss the RIETS. Yeshiva University's rabbinical seminary affiliate has a strong class of men who will make sure things are strictly kosher. "This fall, once we get into two-a-days," said Yeshiva president Richard Joel, referring to daily shacharit and mincha/ma'ariv services, "you'll see what we've really got."

What about recent concerns about cheating, both academic and in the training room? Nobody will go on the record, but a senior seminary official said, "come on, if one of ours cheats then no Get Out of Guilt Free card would stop their mothers for the rest of their lives. To say nothing of the world to come. Or worse yet, a synagogue board."

This year's recruits were a wide mix. We won't see a large number of punters. And while many have defensive talent, they have the raw skills to become good all-around decision makers.

"We've got plenty of high caliber young people who will take the ball and run with it," says Eisen.

Throughout the country, it's hard to find a synagogue that isn't starving for more Torah readers. "Fewer prospects come up with the basic skills, and many don't want to take the extra time to learn the position." But one of the top recruits at the Jewish Theological Seminary is ready to rise up to the occasion.

Said Jerry Goldstone, "If I can go out there every Saturday and pick up an extra yad or two, I can't pass on that." Chancellor Eisen was thrilled to hear this from his star recruit. "He said that? Well, you've got to hand it to him."

Goldstone is one of many recruits who had a time of 4.4 or better on the 40 (that is, the forty pages that comprise a regular minyan service). "They just have to remember it's not a race," says Dr. Joel. "We want good decision makers, people who do things the right way, with the right passion. Not people who will be guided by watching the clock."

What of other special team positions that are always hard to fill? There's hope to be had. "We have one recruit who will be a top-notch moyel," says Rabbi Ellenson. "He needs to work on his technique, his mechanics. But he's already exceptional when he cuts to the right."

But in this class some top prospects see themselves shaking up the status quo, even in their first years.

"Sure, I've got all the traditional rabbi moves" says Goldstone. "But we also need to learn to be team leaders. We've just got to go out there and make points to the board."

Doug Brook is a writer in Silicon Valley who didn't go to seminary so he could retain his amateur status to compete in the Olympics. For more information, past columns, other writings, and more, visit his website at http://brookwrite.com/.