A Siyum for Rabbi Andrea Weiss, z”l

This morning, April 23, 2026, the Hebrew Union College community gathered to honor the memory of beloved teacher and mentor Andrea L. Weiss, z"l, with a heartfelt siyum. Coming after the close of shloshim - the traditional thirty-day mourning period - the gathering was a fitting tribute to a woman whose life was defined by a deep commitment to learning, community, and Torah, and it was an opportunity for her beloved husband Alan Tauber, children Rebecca and Ilan, and sister Laura to come together with students, colleagues, and friends, remember her, and learn together in Rabbi Weiss's honor.

A siyum, which traditionally marks the completion of a significant unit of Jewish study, carries special resonance in this context: for Andrea, the pursuit and teaching of Jewish learning was not merely a profession but a calling, and celebrating her life through the very act of study feels like the most authentic and meaningful way to honor who she was. The event brought together family, colleagues, students, and friends to celebrate not only her scholarship, but the profound and lasting relationships she cultivated throughout her years at Hebrew Union College.

The program opened with tefilah led by Hebrew Union College students, whose participation reflected Andrea's enduring investment in the next generation of Jewish leaders. Rabbi Weiss' husband Alan Tauber spoke movingly about her special career-spanning connection to Hebrew Union College and, most particularly, to her students. The moving presence of her family gave the siyum a special sense of community. Gus W. Herrman President and Professor of Political Thought Andrew Rehfeld also offered words of support and comfort to the gathered community.

Special teachings were offered by three of her cherished colleagues: Rabbi Tamara Cohn Eskenazi '13, Ph.D.; Rabbi Talia Avnon-Benveniste '08; and Daniel Fisher-Livne, Ph.D. Together, their words painted a portrait of a teacher whose influence extended far beyond the classroom - one whose wisdom, warmth, and dedication to Jewish learning will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her.

View the event below.

The teachings will be posted to this site as available.