As the Jewish world changes and our clerical roles contract, expand, and evolve, cantors often find themselves wishing they had the tools to fulfill all that is being asked of them as spiritual leaders.

AJR proudly offers cantors a streamlined but rigorous opportunity to add rabbinic ordination to their already impressive mastery of nusah, tefillah, and Jewish leadership. This track of the Rabbinic Program is for those invested and/or ordained cantors who are looking for more than just continuing education – it is designed for those seeking intensive pursuit of an additional respected degree.

Rabbi Luis Cattan

“My journey as a rabbi began about thirty years ago and could have never been materialized if it wasn’t for AJR’s Cantors to Rabbis program”
– Rabbi/Cantor Luis Cattan (’00),
Immediate Past President, Cantors Assembly

Course Requirements

The Cantors to Rabbis track of the Rabbinical Program requires a minimum of 60 credits. In addition, students are responsible for taking the comprehensive exams required of rabbinical students and for fulfilling the requisite Ritual Skills requirement.

Students in the Rabbis to Cantors track who did not previously earn a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies (or a related field) are required to complete AJR’s Master’s Degree, which typically involves an additional 30 credits beyond the basic curricula of this track. Students in the Rabbis to Cantors track who previously completed a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies (or a related field) but did not previously write a thesis or Master’s Project are required to complete a Master’s Project at AJR and, if they choose to take the additional 30 credits, will also receive a Master’s Degree in Jewish Studies from AJR.

Course requirements assume significant competency in areas such as Hebrew, Liturgy, and Professional Skills. Proficiency will be evaluated on an individual basis. If necessary, students may be required to take additional courses.

Please note: Courses are 2 credits each unless otherwise indicated.

Bible (8 credits)
Introduction to Parshanut
Electives (6 credits)

Hebrew (8 credits)
Hebrew III (2 trimesters, 4 credits each)

Philosophy (11 credits)
Pluralism
Modern Philosophy
Personal Theology
Medieval Philosophy
Mysticism
Bioethics (1 credit)

Rabbinics/Halakha (24 credits)
Intro to Mishna
Intro to Talmud (2 trimesters, 2 credits each)
Intermediate Talmud (2 trimesters, 2 credits each)
Advanced Talmud (2 trimesters, 2 credits each)
Intro to Codes (2 trimesters, 2 credits each)
Advanced Codes
Responsa
Midrash

Professional Skills (7 credits)
Conversion (1 credit)
Life Cycles (1 credit)
Education or  Counseling**
Homiletics (1 credit)
Entrepreneurship

Spirituality  (2 credits)
Spirituality elective

TOTAL: 60 credits*

*If necessary, students may be required to take additional courses.
**Whether a student needs to take Education or Counseling will be determined in consultation with the Academic Dean.

Scholarship Opportunity

A special scholarship for students enrolled in the Cantors to Rabbis track discounts the part-time tuition to $980 per credit. Students considering full-time study should contact the office for more information.