AJR is one of the leading and fastest growing Jewish seminaries in the United States. Currently in its 70th year, AJR ordains rabbis and cantors, and graduates Jewish leaders to serve the Jewish community of today and tomorrow.
Our education is rooted in pluralistic thought and practice and recognized for its academic rigor, flexibility, and care for each individual student. AJR welcomes qualified candidates from around the world, students from all Jewish identities, life stages, traditions, and backgrounds.
AJR embraces pluralism as an action verb. We cherish difference and diversity, training students to celebrate one another as carrying on in the tradition of Shiv’ im Panim LaTorah( the seventy faces of the Torah). Students are empowered to cultivate diverse and thriving communities. Our graduates lead with a rich vision into life-changing encounters with each other and the Divine. As a Zionist school, we embrace a wide spectrum of approaches to supporting the State of Israel while grappling with its contemporary challenges.
Anchored in the mastery of sacred texts— including Bible, Talmud, Liturgy, and Halakhah— our curriculum and programs interweave our tradition with looking toward the future of the rabbinate and cantorate. With required courses in Spirituality, Peace Studies, Entrepreneurship, and Sacred Arts, AJR ensures that its graduates are skillful leaders responsive to the changing needs of the modern world.
As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Academy for Jewish Religion( 1956), in all that we are and all that we do, we remain grounded in Torah and a profound awareness of living in the presence of God.
AJR is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools( ATS).
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. William Liss-Levinson Chair
Rabbi Bruce Alpert Chair Emeritus
Rabbi Stephen M. Axinn Robert Einhorn Tamara Fish Amit Goldman
Rabbi Jill G. Hackell, MD ARC Representative
Rabbi Michael G. Kohn Trustee Emeritus
Rabbi Enid Lader Secretary
Dr. Ora Horn Prouser CEO and Academic Dean
Ian Rosen Treasurer
Rabbi Simon Rosenbach Pavel Vaynshtok
Naomi Wittlin Student Representative
Leah Zimmerman, MSEd
ADMINISTRATION & STAFF
Dr. Ora Horn Prouser CEO and Academic Dean
Cantor Michael Kasper, MSW Dean of Cantorial Studies and Student Life
Rabbi Matthew Goldstone, PhD Assistant Academic Dean
Rabbi Beth Kramer-Mazer Dean of Admissions and Director of Placement
Rabbi Ira J. Dounn Director of Development and Dean of Strategic Initiatives
Rabbi Jill Hammer, PhD Director of Spiritual Education
Cantor Lisa Klinger-Kantor Director of Student Care
Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, PhD Rabbi-in-Residence
Rabbi Jeffrey Segelman Director of Fieldwork
Rabbi Ellie Shemtov Librarian
Dr. Job Jindo Director of Master’ s Degree Projects
Rabbi Cantor Sam Levine Ritual Skills Test Coordinator
Suli A. Fassler Senior Director of Administration
Rabbi David Cavill, MDiv Director of Financial Aid and Operations
Linda Ripps Registrar and Bursar
Adina Gerver Controller
Marisa Smith Media and Communications Director
Rosemarie D. Bodur Executive Assistant
Camille Haiduk-Cascia Academic Affairs Assistant, Office of the Deans