Schechter Rabbinical Seminary

The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, affiliated with the Masorti/Conservative Movement in Israel and with the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Young men and women, whose serious Jewish scholarship is fused with a deep dedication to social action and respect for the diversity of spiritual expression, are providing a model for tolerant, inclusive and passionate Jewish commitment for Israel's non-Orthodox majority.

Israeli Rabbinic Program
Since 1988, the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary has ordained 78 Israeli rabbis who have taken their place as leaders in Israel and throughout the world. They are addressing growing educational and spiritual needs, as spiritual educators in TALI schools, in the advocacy of women's religious rights, in communities and Conservative congregations serving new immigrants and veteran Israelis, and in congregations abroad.

The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary integrates commitment to the study of Jewish Tradition with a tolerant, pluralistic outlook, concern for the welfare of Israeli society as a whole and integration of traditional study of Jewish sources with modern, critical methodology.

Rabbinical Seminary training is a four-year, full-time program of studies. The students become proficient in all aspects of Jewish studies, including Bible, Rabbinics, Jewish Thought and Jewish History. As future communal leaders, they also study education, psychology counseling, and not-for-profit management and participate in practicum training during each year of study.

There are currently 20 students enrolled in the Israeli Rabbinical program.The Seminary provides full scholarships and living stipends to all Israeli and European rabbinical students. The Schechter faculty includes professors from all areas of Jewish studies, including many outstanding scholars in each department.

Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Fellowship Program
The Schechter Rabbinical Seminary has taken the lead in spearheading a comprehensive plan to empower spiritual leadership in Israel. Through 2011, with the support of the Legacy Heritage Ltd. Fund, the Seminary will select twelve of its outstanding rabbinical students to become Rabbinic Fellows, committed to building new community Batei Midrash (Learning Centers) in Israel. The Program, which offers a three-year scholarship for rabbinic study and supplementary training, will prepare rabbinical students to enhance the quality of life in towns and cities throughout Israel, and provide a new model for developing Conservative/Masorti communities. The Rabbinic Fellows are involved in fieldwork in communities, schools and healthcare facilities, under professional supervision.

Currently, Legacy Batei Midrash are operating in six Israeli communities with the educational guidance of Legacy Rabbinic Fellows. An additional four Batei Midrash are in development. Following their ordination, all Fellows will receive a three-year stipend to develop new self-sustaining Masorti communities in Israel.

Overseas Program for Visiting Rabbinical Students
"The Israel Experience" is an integral curriculum component of all rabbinical schools affiliated with the worldwide Conservative Movement. Established in 1990, the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary has served as an academic and cultural base for rabbinical students learning for a year in Israel. The program hosts students from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York,  Seminario Rabinico in Buenos Aires and other theological institutions in Europe and the Americas. In 2009-10, 40 overseas students are studying at the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary.Reflecting the professional concerns of the Rabbinate in North America, the programs maintain the highest academic standards with emphasis placed on Talmud, Halakhah, and Bible. All students receive an intensive Hebrew language program.

Students learn about modern Israeli society through social action programs. They may tutor Russian or Ethiopian school children, assist in hospitals, become involved with a political, cultural or educational organization, or create a project tailor-made to their particular interests. Learning experiences with several of Israel's Conservative/ Masorti congregations provide overseas students with useful contacts and ideas for trips with their own future professional constituencies. The students are also encouraged to attend plays, concerts, dance performances, and to initiate visits with friends and relatives.

For further information, contact: rabschool@schechter.org.il