INNOVATIVE EDUCATION for TOMORROW'S RABBIS

The College for Contemporary Judaism

Our dynamic model is financially accessible and deeply personal, offering full scholarships and living stipends, customized learning paths, and professional fellowships embedded in Jewish organizations. CCJ will foster a diverse set of intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic approaches to rabbinic education. Our model is immersive and future-focused. Our curriculum is rooted in classical Jewish text study and an in-depth exposure to Jewish history, philosophy, literature and contemporary studies. We strive to enhance students’ love of Jewish learning, Jewish living, and the Jewish people. Our students will think critically and lead by example, learning the skills they will need to build the next generation of strong, vibrant communities across the country.

An Emphasis on Developing the Skills Needed to Lead Jewish Communities:

  • Knowledge of Jewish heritage
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Creativity
  • Community building
  • Managing a staff and board relations

A combination of rigorous academics and practical training:

  •  A dynamic curriculum rooted in classical Jewish texts, coupled with in-depth exposure to Jewish history, philosophy, literature, and contemporary studies that focus on topics such as community building, interfaith dialogue, and human relations.
  • Numerous opportunities for hands-on professional development, including internships and full-time paid fellowships in the field, and access to local universities

A Modular Education System:

  • Proven approach using shorter, intensive courses
  • Flexibility to bring the world’s foremost subject matter experts directly to our students

Full scholarships and living stipends for all students:

  • As close to cost-free as possible
  • Allows students to focus on their rabbinic education rather than debt

Personal autonomy:

  • Students shape their own areas of study and define their own rabbinic career paths
  • We respect every student’s personal identity and life choices consistent with core Jewish values

Free Expression & Viewpoint Diversity:

  • Commitment to free expression and viewpoint diversity within a values-driven code of conduct
  • We cultivate the understanding and sensitivity required to engage with today’s most complex philosophical, spiritual, and societal questions

State-of-the-Art Communications Training:

  • Mastery of communication across media platforms
  • Intensive training in sermon preparation and presentation

Short-term Immersive Hebrew Study Program in Israel:

  • Hebrew proficiency will facilitate study in original text
  • Personal engagement with the history and culture of modern Israel

A Commitment to Ongoing Innovation:

  • Study of emerging trends in Jewish communities and organizations
  • Active exploration of new approaches to liturgy, rituals, and programming that connect, engage and inspire
  • A culture of testing and refining new ideas for maximum communal impact

A Culture of Collaborative Learning:

  • A vibrant, in-residence program
  • Students, faculty, and staff come together regularly to practice leadership, solve problems, celebrate successes, and build the kind of community they will one day lead

Let’s talk

If you have questions, ideas, an interest in supporting CCJ, or just want to talk, we would like to hear from you.

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