Rabbinical School Curriculum

Class 16

Rabbinical School Curriculum at JSLI

Joining a Robust Community

Enrolling in JSLI’s Rabbinical School means joining a community of over 200 Rabbis and Cantors. Our network of Jewish professionals is highly engaged, offering support through a private Facebook page and online educational events like our Lunch and Learns. This vibrant environment is perfect for modern Jewish Rabbinate studies, enriched by the diverse life experiences of each cohort member.

Interactive Online Learning Experience

Our fully participatory Zoom sessions cover a comprehensive rabbinical school curriculum. Accompanying these video conferences, all course materials and assignments are accessible through our online Learning Management System. This includes readings from JSLI’s required texts, downloadable documents, and a plethora of internet resources. These materials are available a week before classes to allow in-depth preparation.

Weekly Sermons and Engaging Lectures

Students are tasked with writing weekly sermons (Divrey Torah) based on the Torah portion of the week. They also benefit from online lectures by Rabbi Blane and the JSLI faculty, fostering enriching discussions.

Comprehensive Curriculum for Aspiring Clergy

The JSLI Rabbinical School curriculum is designed to provide a thorough understanding of various subjects, emphasizing the practical aspects of being a clergy member:

  • Torah Study: Including Weekly Torah Study, Jewish Prophets, Kings, Pirkey Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), and Jewish Angels.
  • Jewish History: Covering topics like Mishna, Talmud, Midrash, Medieval Jewish Thinkers, Israel, Jewish Mysticism (Kabbalah), The Holocaust, and Forgiveness.
  • Rabbinics: Focusing on Pastoral Counseling, Shabbat, Kashrut, Brit Milah/Brit Shalom, Eschatology, Jewish Conversion, and various Jewish movements including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal, and Jewish Universalism.
  • Liturgy and Ritual: Exploring Prayer Liturgy, Prayer Melodies, Weekdays, Shabbat, Festivals, High Holidays, and Duchenen (Priestly Blessings).
  • Professional Development: Skills for officiating Jewish, Interfaith, and Same-Sex Weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Baby Naming, Brit Shalom Ceremonies, and Funerals. Also includes training in sermon preparation and delivery.