List of rabbinical schools

Following is a listing of rabbinical schools, organized by denomination. The emphasis of the training will differ correspondingly: Orthodox Semikha centers on the study of Talmud-based halacha (Jewish law), while in other programs, the emphasis may shift to "the other functions of a modern rabbi such as preaching, counselling, and pastoral work.” ^{[1] [2]} Conservative Yeshivot occupy a position midway, in that their training places (significantly) more emphasis on Halakha and Talmud than other non-Orthodox programs.

Reform

In

• The seminary of
  Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. It has campuses in Cincinnati
  , New York City, and Los Angeles.
• In Israel, the Jerusalem campus of Hebrew Union College is the only seminary for training Reform Jewish clergy.
• In the United Kingdom, the
  Reform and Liberal movements maintain Leo Baeck College
  in London for the training and ordination of rabbis.
• In Germany the
  Progressive
  rabbinate.
• In Latin America, the Reform Movement maintains the Instituto Iberoamericano de Formación Rabinica Reformista ^[3] (Iberoamerican Institute for Training Reform Rabbis), based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ^{[Notes 1]}

Conservative

Conservative institutions, which unlike Orthodox institutions are open to ordaining women and LGBT people as rabbis and cantors, provide an "integrated program" of academic learning and professional development, spanning five or six years.

In addition to knowledge and mastery of the study of Talmud and halakhah,

Conservative programs include also synagogue administration, pastoral care, chaplaincy, non-profit management, and navigating the modern world in a Jewish context, and incorporate professional placement.

Ordination is granted at:

• The Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York
• Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles
• Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem (Jerusalem's Conservative Yeshiva does not grant ordination)
• Budapest, Hungary
• Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam
• Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires
  , Argentina

Many Yeshivot host a specific Rabbinic

• The
  Yadin Yadin. Graduates of the rabbinical program were hired by both Conservative and Modern Orthodox synagogues, although the RCA did not recognize the ordination. ITJ did not ordain openly LGBT men. The positioning of UTJ is sometimes described as “Conservadox
  ”.

• The Academy for Jewish Religion, in New York City,^[49] since 1956, and the unrelated Academy for Jewish Religion-California,^[50] in Los Angeles, since 2000, have been rabbinic (and cantorial) seminaries unaffiliated with any denomination or movement. These seminaries are accepted by all non-Orthodox rabbis as valid rabbinical seminaries^{[citation needed]}, and ordain women as well as men (and openly LGBT people) as rabbis and cantors. The ordination program at both takes 5 years, and develops proficiency in texts and law, as well as education, counseling, and chaplaincy; both include a Master's degree.

• Hebrew Seminary,^[51][52] est 1992, is a non-denominational rabbinical school in Illinois near Chicago which uniquely trains both deaf and hearing students; it ordains women, men, and openly LGBTQIA people.^[53] The program spans 5 years, requiring a thesis and a comprehensive exam; a distinctive aspect of the curriculum is the incorporation of Kabbalah and related meditative practices, in addition to the standard Rabbinic components. All graduates, hearing and deaf, are required to attain fluency in American Sign Language.

• Bet Midrash
  element.

• The Midrasha at the
  native speakers
  of Hebrew).

• A "new generation" ^[57] of smaller US based seminaries offers prospective rabbinic students the opportunity to obtain Semikha in a "nontraditional" ^[58] manner, and at lower cost^[59] (although with some controversy ^[60]). Programs may require a year or two, depending on candidates’ prior academic degrees and Jewish community experience.
  • The
    Neo-Hasidic tradition.^[61]
    Its program is project based, and culminates with a final thesis and examination; most candidates complete the course in two years.
  • The Ateret Tzvi Academy, of The Open Yeshiva,[62]^[63] est. 1998, offers a 4-year part time Rabbinics course for students wishing to receive ordination; topics - text or workshop based - include Halakha and Talmud, Hasidic thought, the festivals and shabbat, and practical Rabbinics.
  • Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk^[64] offers an off-campus ordination program for mid-career working Jewish professionals - typically a cantor, religious school educator, college Judaic instructor, or hospital chaplain - “who can readily document competence and expertise in traditional Judaic academic disciplines”. The course of study at its Rabbinical Academy, est. c. 2000, is "individually tailored", where a program is developed for each student as a function of their background at application; ordination is granted following a comprehensive examination
    . There is no minimum time required for ordination.
  • The
    Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, est 2010, offers a one year training program, meeting in weekly online classes via the Internet, which ordains women as well as men as unaffiliated rabbis to meet the needs of unaffiliated Jews as well as interfaith couples and their families. It subscribes to Jewish Universalism, promoting religious tolerance and asserting that there are many paths to 'the One.' ^[65]
    It does ordain openly LGBT people.
  • The
    Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary, est 2019,^[66] offers a two-year online rabbinical ordination program to candidates “who already have through prior academic learning or experience the education needed to enter rabbinical school at the third or fourth year”. It trains men and women. Rabbinic educators are Conservative, Reform and Orthodox rabbis, but the semicha is postdenominational. The program has ordained two cohorts of students. ^[67]

References