Speakers at Hebrew College’s commencement on Sunday called on graduates to search for creative, bold ways to stay committed to Jewish culture and faith.

Jane Eisner, editor in chief of the Jewish newspaper The Forward, urged students to synthesize new ideas and maintain their Jewish identity.

“This is now your work: To absorb the best without being absorbed by it,’’ she told graduates. “To assimilate the most creative, most just, most humane ideas from the broader culture and make them your own without losing a particular Jewish identity, without diminishing Jewish commitment.’’

At Sunday’s ceremony at the Newton college, six students were ordained as rabbis, three were ordained as cantors, and 32 received master’s degrees, the college said.

Graduates were presented with a tallit — a prayer shawl —and blessings from the deans of their respective schools, the college said.

“As religious leaders, we need to understand the value of humility and the need to bring Judaism into the space where people live,’’ the college’s president, Rabbi Daniel L. Lehmann, said.

Student Orna Siegel told students to be innovative, humble, and passionate in facing challenges that affect Jewish people.

The college awarded four honorary degrees. Two faculty members also received awards for commitment to the Hebrew language and educational leadership, the college said.

Mina Corpuz can be reached at mina.corpuz@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @mlcorpuz.