Hannah Brewer Selznick

Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Age:
Status: Graduate student
Program: Online Certificate in Jewish Non-Profit Management

Scottsdale, Arizona resident Hannah Brewer Selznick wears many hats: Professional musician, music teacher, owner of an Internet company and synagogue professional. But these are just her day jobs.

In her “spare time,” Hannah is a graduate student in the Online Jewish Non-Profit Management Program at Gratz College. To propel her career and broaden her overall management skills, she sought out advanced training in Jewish non-profit management.

“Gratz College popped up on a web page and the online capabilities to study were very enticing to me since I already work four jobs locally,” says this mother of two grown children.

Hannah, who has been playing oboe and English horn professionally since 1974, holds a master’s degree in music performance. She has worked as a university instructor of double reeds, a public school band director and currently plays in a pro symphony in Scottsdale.

And while Gratz Online is helping Hannah to evolve her career, her commitment to Judaism runs deep. The daughter of two Holocaust survivors, Hannah grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was confirmed from Temple B'nai Jehudah. In 1993, she became an adult bat mitzvah.

To date, Hannah has taken Gratz online courses in Jewish non-profit management, fundraising, strategic planning, comparative religion and the Jewish family. “My online experience has been stimulating and very satisfying,” she says.

“In general, the courses have exceeded my expectations and have opened my eyes to many situations in the Jewish communal business which are necessary to be a vibrant and valuable contributor, as well as an informed leader and manager,” explains Hannah.

In particular, this lifelong learner has enjoyed the open exchange of ideas on the forums, the course format which facilitates interaction and the stimulating course materials. And this coming spring, when Hannah receives her certificate in Jewish Non-Profit Management, she will be ready to launch her next career.