A Word From the CEO and Academic Dean
AJR is an institution devoted to a pluralistic and Zionist approach to Jewish life . This may sound like a simple statement , but it is actually a very great calling , and a sacred mission . Yet , as difficult as it sounds , AJR is growing tremendously , with thirty new students this past year , and we anticipate a similar number in the coming year . Abraham Joshua Heschel famously said “ What we need more than anything else is not textbooks but text people .” While I usually base my work on sacred text , to properly give you an idea of what makes AJR the very special place it is , it ’ s important that I talk about all of the “ text people ” at AJR . Our faculty live and breathe the values and content of our sacred text . They personify devotion to God , Torah , and Israel , and , at the same time , live lives of commitment to the mind and heart of each of our students . Each member of our administration knows that how we treat each other is the underlying basis of all learning and all clergy training , and so students find the same caring individuals helping them in all of their administrative affairs at AJR . Our Board of Trustees leads us with an understanding that our academic , ethical , and institutional integrity are non-negotiable , and must be tended to as much as any other area of our growth and work .
Then there are our students . We have always been in awe of our students : individuals who have such passion for the Jewish community , such an understanding of the role of Israel in Jewish thought and Jewish life , and such a love for Jews and Judaism , that they devote every part of their being to becoming clergy and Jewish leaders . For many , if not most , of our students , this may involve both logistical , academic , and financial issues . They may need to figure out additional child care , or negotiate with their jobs to make room for courses . And they are all making a great financial investment . At AJR we honor , respect , and support that devotion . We support our students as individuals with lives , not simply students in courses .
We are very proud to be a school that is producing “ text people ” for the Jewish community . We are particularly proud of the tremendous growth of our community , with so many students choosing this sacred calling . We are training our “ text people ” to serve the Jewish community where they are , to understand the importance of each individual , and to help bring people together .
Come join us in this sacred mission . We are looking to you to come study at AJR , to support our students , or to share your interest in our Board of Trustees . You , too , can be a part of this very special place in the Jewish community . We look forward to hearing from you .
Dr . Ora Horn Prouser
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