Admissions and Fees for Rabbinical School at JSLI

Embracing Diverse Life Experiences

At JSLI, we value the unique life experiences of our applicants. Our students bring various skill sets, enriching our community. However, all applicants must fulfill specific requirements, including the ability to read Siddur Hebrew.

Advanced and Practical Curriculum

Our curriculum is tailored to the needs of modern Jewish communities, offering advanced, concise, and practical training for today’s Rabbinate. Each weekly module at JSLI is equivalent to a semester of study at traditional seminaries.

Entrance Requirements

To ensure our students are well-prepared, we require knowledge in Jewish history, texts, Shabbat, Jewish Festivals, High Holidays, rituals, and life cycles. Applicants will undergo an interview to assess their readiness and identify any additional learning needs before joining our Rabbinical or Cantorial School.

Commitment to Spiritual Growth

Completion of JSLI’s curriculum is just the beginning of a lifelong journey in spiritual study and growth.

Key Admittance Criteria:

• A dedication to personal spiritual development and service to humanity.
• Support for interfaith marriages, recognizing the significant number of Jews in interfaith relationships often overlooked by traditional Jewish organizations. At JSLI, we focus on serving the needs of both the Jewish interfaith and unaffiliated communities.

Academic Commitment:

• Preparation for and attendance in weekly classes, which can require 4-8 hours of study per week.
• Participation in our weekly study group (havurah) via video conference for approximately 3 hours each session.

Course Engagement:

• Active participation in online classes, including presentations, discussions, and explorations of modern Judaism and its rich history.
• Writing a D’var Torah on the weekly Torah portion for each class.

Beyond JSLI: Broader Learning Expectations

Students are expected to attend services at Jewish and occasionally non-Jewish houses of worship to broaden their understanding of modern faiths. Our affiliated online synagogue, Sim Shalom, offers daily services.

Enrollment Periods

Our Rabbinical School program runs across two semesters, beginning in September and January respectively.