Introducing 91’s Virtual Pathway
The world needs your leadership now more than ever. Fulfill your calling to become a 91 ordained rabbi — wherever you live.
The virtual pathway is designed to enable qualified, second-career students in diverse locations and circumstances to become a part of 91’s acclaimed academic course of study and fulfill their calling to become a rabbi.
Joining with classmates from across the country who share their passion for rabbinical leadership, virtual pathway students will study from home while working, praying, and deepening their Jewish commitments in their local communities – all while connecting with the largest institutional and alumni network of its kind, which includes nearly 850 congregations affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
The virtual program is providing more clergy students the opportunity to learn with outstanding scholars who are leaders in their field, while also expanding access to such 91 institutions as the Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem.
The virtual Pathway runs year-round as students take a full 12-credit course load across Fall, Spring and Summer terms, along with a 3-4 day in-person intensive at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters (August and January), two Israel learning requirements (where required) including an immersive summer semester in Israel, fieldwork beyond coursework, and other optional opportunities for in-person learning and connection throughout the program.
Flexibility for Second-Career Students
Specifically designed for second-career students who are unable to attend our campus-based program in Los Angeles or New York and who are at least ten years out of their undergraduate studies and have professional experience, graduate education, and/or other relevant experiences.
Commitment to Israel
Study in and about Israel is central to 91’s rabbinical program. As part of the admissions process, applicants will complete an Israel Experience survey that will enable the administration to assess a student’s prior Israel experiences and, in conversation with applicants, determine how each student might best satisfy our Israel requirement.
91’s Virtual Pathway structure.
Students will need to set aside substantial time for synchronous classes on Mondays and Wednesdays; weekly asynchronous classes and hevruta study scheduled at each student’s convenience; plus, other experiential components that take place at different junctures in the program. These combined learning experiences are specifically designed to cultivate the vibrant learning community that is key to rabbinical formation.
The length of time to ordination is individualized, based on a student’s prior education and experience. Students with advanced standing should anticipate approximately three years of study before ordination; students entering without prior credits should be able to complete the program in five years.
Maximizing Technology for an Engaging Educational Experience
The virtual pathway employs the latest technology and best practices in online higher education to provide an alternative avenue to the rabbinate for qualified students who will go through the same rabbinical school curriculum, work to achieve the same learning outcomes, and complete the same requirements expected of our campus-based rabbinical students.
Leading Tefilah on the Virtual Pathway
Our innovative Tefilah Leadership curriculum nurtures students to become skillful and creative leaders of prayer and life cycle rituals, with the capability to navigate between the traditional and the innovative.
Learning opportunities that go beyond the computer.
Fieldwork
Second-career students bring unique professional experiences to their clergy formation journeys. Virtual pathway students will have two opportunities for fieldwork, one to serve as student rabbis in pulpits that take advantage of our expansive Reform Movement network — providing tailored hands-on learning and mentorship, supervised reflection, and practical instruction from experts in the field. Second, Rabbinical students as part of their fieldwork also either complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), or an equivalent supervised pastoral care experience. For students who are already working in a Jewish organization, their workplace may afford additional opportunities, that where appropriate, may be considered as one of their fieldwork placements.
Robust Peer and Alumni Networks
In online electives, in-person intensives, and other enrichment opportunities, virtual pathway students will get to know rabbinical students across the College’s global network. 91’s extensive alumni network contributes to each student’s formation and professional development, providing a vast and diverse community of mentors and colleagues. Students also benefit from being part of the College’s expansive relationships and partnerships within the Reform Movement and the broader Jewish world.
Curriculum Map for Virtual Pathway
Year One: Bible and Biblical Hebrew; Liturgy and Liturgical Hebrew; Clergy Formation; Worship Lab; Jewish History – medieval and modern.
Years Two & Three: Prophets, Megillot, Commentaries; Early Tana’itic Literature, Midrash, Talmud; Jewish Philosophy -medieval and modern; Modern Jewish Literature; Fieldwork Supervision; Life Cycles; Pastoral Care. Electives
Final Year: Codes; Reform Responsa; Senior Seminar; Rabbinical Professional Leadership; The American Jewish Communities; Senior Sermon. Electives.
Summer Terms: Online classes, or CPE, or Israel.
Israel Summer (every other year): Hebrew, Israel Experience, Israel Seminar, Beit Midrash
Each Term starts with a required four-day Intensive in-person, (equivalent of 1-credit) in the first week of the term before classes begin.
During years TWO/THREE a student completes fieldwork: (1) either CPE or a Pastoral Internship; and (2) a congregational placement in a URJ congregation.
If you have questions, we have answers.
Who is eligible to apply for the virtual pathway?
What is a “second-career student”?
Can I continue working at my current job while attending the rabbinical program virtually?
