The journey to joining the AJR community begins with our Dean of Admissions, Rabbi Beth Kramer-Mazer, who serves as guide and mentor for all applicants. Anyone interested in applying should start by speaking with Lisa. Applicants who have spoken with Lisa will be invited to sit in on AJR classes and meet with students, faculty, and staff at an AJR Open House. AJR’s community is unique, warm, and inclusive, and we would love for you to get a taste of what you can experience and achieve with us!
Before You Apply
Those who are considering applying to an ordination program should be seriously and actively involved in both Jewish study and Jewish living. Many already have some leadership experience in the Jewish community. You may have assisted in leading services or have experience teaching in a congregation or havurah. You may have served in a volunteer capacity on a committee or board of a synagogue or some other Jewish organization. You may have studied in a local Jewish adult-learning setting. Our ordination students come from a wide range of backgrounds but all share a passion for Jewish leadership.
Our Master’s Degree program is open to anyone with a prior Bachelor’s Degree seeking to deepen their knowledge of Judaism. The application for the Master’s Program can be found here.
“I’d heard wonderful stories about AJR’s embrace of mid-career students like me. I am now living that embrace every day – not just in the flexibility of course-scheduling to accommodate our outside jobs and lives, but in the unique community AJR is.”
– Rabbi Stephen Axinn (’22)
The Application Process
Applicants from all walks of Jewish life have a home at AJR where we are committed to pluralistic Jewish education.
If proceeding with a formal application is the appropriate next step, you will receive an application packet and guidance on completing the application. If you are not invited to apply, you may be offered suggested steps to undertake in order to prepare for future review. Further details regarding the application process will be available in the application packet. Preparation of all required materials is the responsibility of the applicant. We ask that the full application be submitted only once all required materials have been assembled.
Applicants are usually informed of the Committee’s decision within one week of the interview. An application may be accepted with or without certain conditions. If an application is rejected, guidance may be given concerning the interval that should elapse before a re-application would be considered. Acceptance to AJR is valid until the beginning of the trimester following the anniversary of the interview date.
Full details and explanation of all matters concerning application to AJR are contained within the application packet, and the Dean of Admissions will be glad to offer general guidance and to respond to any questions.