JSLI is pluralistic and trans-denominational. Our students come from Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Renewal, Orthodox and unaffiliated backgrounds, and they study the history, ideas and practice of all the Jewish movements. A rabbi ordained at JSLI isn’t required to follow the doctrine of any one movement. We encourage our graduates to keep growing in their own faith and to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Rooted in tradition
We believe you have to know the tradition deeply to serve today’s Jews well. So students learn classical texts, halacha, traditional liturgy and nusach, and the rhythms of Shabbat and the holidays. Our cantorial nusach is taught for the Reform prayerbooks, and many of our graduates serve Conservative and Reform congregations, as well as independent and online communities.
Guided by Jewish Universalism
JSLI’s guiding philosophy is the Jewish Universalism of our founder, Rabbi Steven Blane. It honors every Jewish movement, welcomes interfaith families and LGBTQ Jews without conditions, holds Torah as sacred and open to interpretation, and teaches that God is bigger than any one religion. Students study it alongside the other movements, and graduates are free to embrace it or not.
Serving interfaith and unaffiliated Jews
What every JSLI rabbi shares is a commitment to the Jews that traditional institutions often miss: interfaith couples, the unaffiliated, and seekers. That’s why support for interfaith marriage is a requirement for admission. Read more about JSLI.