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Since its founding in 1956 as a rabbinical school, the Academy for Jewish Religion has been at the forefront of pluralistic rabbinic and cantorial training.

AJR In the News

Ora Horn Prouser

No Pipe Dream: Is There Really a Clergy Shortage?

Times of Israel Blog by Dr. Ora Horn Prouser

Latest Torah

by Cantor Robin Anne Joseph (’96)

In this week’s D’var Torah, Cantor Robin Anne Joseph wonders (with apologies for the gender specificity) if “to know, know, know Him is to love, love, love Him.”

by Hazzan Rabbi Luis Cattan ('20)

As I watched live the final episode of “Kochav haba LeEurovision” and witnessed the elegant sensitivity with which they crafted this joyous occasion with the reiterated references to the last almost sixteen months that the hostages have been in captivity, I couldn’t avoid thinking of Naomi Shemer’s song “BeDamaikh Hayi”

by Rabbi Cantor Inna Serebro-Litvak ('16)

Let me ask you this: “As a child, what did you most associate with Christmas? What about Hanukkah? Easter? Passover?” Think about the images you associated with these holidays. Then think about what an evergreen tree has to do with the birth of Jesus; or why eight gifts represent Hanukkah. And how about connecting jelly donuts with the victory of Maccabees over Assyrian King Antiochus and the Hellenistic influence over the Israelites. Better yet, what does a bunny and chocolate eggs have to do with the crucifixion of Jesus? And even more interesting, how does the happy tune of the “Frog” song reflect on the horrifying experience of the one of 10 plagues – which caused so much suffering among Egyptians?

by Rabbi Marge Wise (AJR '21)

Parashat Shemot, is the first parashah in the book of Exodus, whose name is also Shemot, which literally means names. In this parashah we read of the birth of Moses. Not taking anything away from Moses – or from his father, whom we’ll get to in a moment – I would like us to keep in mind that Moses’ birth, and his very survival, were made possible by a few brave and fearless women!!

This Week @ AJR

Monday, Feb 10
  • Working With Synagogue Lay Leadership with Rabbi Rob Scheinberg
    Monday, Feb 10 @ 12:10 pm EST - 12:45 pm EST
    Zoom 09

  • Minhah
    Monday, Feb 10 @ 3:30 pm EST - 3:50 pm EST
    Zoom 09

Tuesday, Feb 11
  • M.A. Project of Rachel Posner
    Tuesday, Feb 11 @ 12:10 pm EST - 12:45 pm EST
    Zoom 09

  • Minhah
    Tuesday, Feb 11 @ 3:30 pm EST - 3:50 pm EST
    Zoom 09

Wednesday, Feb 12
  • M.A. Project of Emily Meyer
    Wednesday, Feb 12 @ 12:10 pm EST - 12:45 pm EST
    Zoom 09

  • Minhah
    Wednesday, Feb 12 @ 3:30 pm EST - 3:50 pm EST
    Zoom 09

Thursday, Feb 13
  • Parashat Hashavua with Rabbi Jef Segelman
    Thursday, Feb 13 @ 12:10 pm EST - 12:45 pm EST
    Zoom 09

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