The Central Conference of American Rabbis is the governing body of Reform Judaism. The process of becoming a Reform rabbi is fairly straightforward. If you are interested, this page will help you learn how to become a Reform rabbi.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is the governing body of Reform Judaism. The process of becoming a Reform rabbi is fairly straightforward. If you are interested, this page will help you learn how to become a Reform rabbi.
Introduction
- Reform rabbis share Jewish teaching, build communities, provide pastoral care, and lead worship services. Most men and women wishing to become Reform rabbis follow the basic educational path of obtaining a bachelor's degree, spending a year studying in Israel, and then spending four years at the Hebrew Union College. Conservative or Reconstructionist rabbis can also petition to become Reform rabbis.
Step 1: Be Accepted to Hebrew Union College (HUC)
- In order to apply to the Hebrew Union College, you must first earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Successful applicants usually have at least a 3.0 average.
- No particular major is preferred.
- The GRE is required, and students need to score well in order to be admitted.
- One year of college-level Hebrew is required.
- Candidates also undergo interviews and psychological evaluation as part of the admissions process.screened during the admissions process also includes interviews and psychological
Step 2: Spend a Year in Israel
Step 3: Attend Seminary
After completing the year in Israel, students begin completion of the core rabbinical curriculum. HUC has three campuses in the United States (Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and New York), and students are assigned to one of them. The program takes four years to complete, and awards the Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree and ordination upon graduation.
