About Us

The Academy for Jewish Religion, California was founded in 2000 and our campus is at the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA. There are a number of factors that have contributed to our success in such a short period of time.

The curriculum of our Rabbinical School, Cantorial School and Chaplaincy Program reflects our innovative, transdenominational approach to the training of Jewish spiritual leaders. In addition to the sacred Texts, our students become well-versed in the teachings and traditions of all Judaism’s denominations with a significant emphasis on spirituality and spiritual growth. The reason for this focus on spirituality is because we are training our students to be both spiritual leaders and spiritual counselors.

The flexibility of our Sunday to Tuesday schedule of classes has enabled us to attract students who are highly accomplished second-career professionals from a variety of fields. This three-days-per week schedule accommodates both their professional and personal responsibilities. Indeed, more than 40% of our students commute weekly from throughout the Western States.

Our faculty is comprised of renowned scholars who have taught at some of the nation’s most prestigious universities as well as outstanding congregational clergy who are affiliated with some of the most prominent Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and Renewal synagogues in the Los Angeles area. They offer valuable insights while encouraging personal expression.

As a result of their unique training, our alumni are being hired nationwide. They are leading established congregations and founding new ones, serving as the spiritual leaders of day schools, directing religious schools, heading chaplaincy organizations, teaching at universities, etc.

Together, the rich life experience and maturity of our students, the caliber of our faculty and the uniqueness of our curriculum and training contribute to an environment that is intellectually, personally and professionally enriching and supportive.