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“When cantors perform, sing, chant, by themselves, as soloists, they can have an enormous affect on people. But when people sing together, it is healing in a way that is essential.” – Hazzan Michael Kasper, Dean of Cantorial Studies Recognizing the evolving role of the cantor or hazzan, who Read More >

This program challenges participants to engage all aspects of their creative energies in research, analysis, and imagination as they master the teachings of the Jewish past and envision the Jewish future. The Master’s Degree is geared to several types of learners who already hold an undergraduate degree: Those who wish to better prepare themselves Read More >

Many spiritual leaders find that they need to serve their congregation as both a rabbi and a cantor. AJR’s Kol-Bo Program enables students to earn both rabbinic and cantorial ordinations simultaneously, preparing students to lead their communities liturgically, educationally, and pastorally. AJR trains cantors and rabbis as equal partners on the pulpit and thus there is Read More >

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 Read More >

AJR created the Mechina (preparatory) Program to meet the needs of students with limited grounding in Hebrew language and Judaic Studies in order to prepare them for AJR’s Ordination and M.A. Degree programs. The AJR Mechina Program consists of two different sections: Mechina Hebrew and Mechina Jewish Studies. The Hebrew language component includes basic Read More >

AJR holds a Retreat each fall that is required for its ordination students, with Master's Degree and Gesher students warmly encouraged to attend. These gatherings offer students opportunities to build strong relationships within the AJR community, to meet new classmates, and to focus in-depth upon an experience or an area of learning that demands Read More >

All required classes are offered via Zoom and ordination students are only required to gather in person at an offsite location twice a year for our multiday communal events in the fall and spring trimesters. For those who wish to take some courses in person at the AJR campus, we regularly offer an onsite Read More >

AJR’s approach to pluralism is an appreciation of diversity; but it is much more than that. Our approach to pluralism expects members of our community to cherish one another. “The Academy for Jewish Religion plays a critically important role in the American religious landscape because not only do they train Read More >

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The library at AJR includes a core collection of more than 10,000 books, periodicals, sheet music, recordings, and other media supporting the multi-denominational aspects of academic and spiritual learning. The collection ranges from classical texts to works on philosophy, history, Israel, music, liturgy, and issues facing modern Jews. Explore AJR’s collection via the AJR Read More >