Belmont University, in collaboration with The Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership, today named Rabbi Mark Schiftan the Jewish Faith Student Advisor, effective Feb. 7.
Serving as advisor, mentor and chaplain to Jewish students at Belmont, Schiftan will hold regular office hours, lead bi-weekly meetings, and provide learning opportunities, leadership and council to the Jewish Student Organization and individuals within the campus community. In this part-time advisory role, he will plan and lead on-campus services during Jewish holidays as well as a monthly Shabbat service.
Schiftan’s new role will expand the work of the University’s Initiative for Jewish Engagement. Launched in 2021, the initiative is a multi-pronged endeavor including lectures, classes, travel experiences and conversations to provide dialog, perspective and understanding across two major faith traditions.
"I am honored to serve in this capacity at Belmont as a continuation of my commitment to interfaith dialogue and understanding,” said Schiftan. “Belmont has a rich tradition of faith and learning, and I see a unique opportunity to foster an environment where Jewish students can explore and deepen their faith, while also engaging in meaningful conversations with peers of different beliefs. A hallmark of my career has been building bridges between diverse communities, and I am excited to continue that at Belmont. I hope to encourage students to not only cherish their own heritage but also appreciate and learn from the diverse perspectives represented at Belmont.”
Rabbi Schiftan and Dr. Jon Roebuck, director of the Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership, have long collaborated on interfaith initiatives, including webinars and discussions exploring faith and culture. Their friendship has been instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding between Jewish and Christian communities.
“Rabbi Schiftan’s presence at Belmont is a tremendous asset,” said Roebuck. “Our collaborative journey to foster Jewish-Christian dialogue and understanding has been enriching not only for me but our community. His wisdom, experience and heartfelt commitment to fostering deeper understanding across faiths will further enrich spiritual life at Belmont and beyond."
Named a top 25 pulpit rabbi in the country by “Newsweek,” Schiftan has served the last 25 years in Nashville at The Temple. He earned his bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University and later trained at Hebrew Union College where he obtained his Master of Art and Doctor of Divinity degrees.