About Us

The Academy for Jewish Religion, California was founded in 2000 and our campus is now at the Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA.

Much of our success is a result of our uniqueness in the Jewish world including our innovative approach of training rabbis and cantors to serve Jews affiliated with Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal, Conservative, and Orthodox Judaism as well as the unaffiliated. Our faculty is comprised of renowned scholars who have taught at some of our nation’s most prestigious universities as well as outstanding congregational clergy who hold rabbinic ordinations and cantorial diplomas from Yeshiva University, Jewish Theological Seminary, University of Judaism, Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, as well as smicha from ALEPH (the Jewish Renewal Movement). They are affiliated with some of the most prominent Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and Renewal synagogues in the Los Angeles area.

Our student body has grown significantly since our inception and, from a handful of students in 2000, we currently have 65 students enrolled. They are highly accomplished individuals who have a tremendous desire to help their fellow Jews, particularly those who might not otherwise make a deep, personal connection to Judaism.

Recognizing the significant professional responsibilities of our student body, we operate on a three-day per week schedule of classes. We have the distinction of being the only Cantorial School in the West and, the added honor, of having one of our nation's most preeminent cantors as our dean. We have created an innovative Chaplaincy Program in order to respond to the pressing need for qualified Jewish chaplains.

Our alumni are already making an impact nationwide. They are leading Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, Jewish Renewal, and Transdenominational congregations across the country; serving as Rabbis of Day Schools; heading up Chaplaincy-related organizations; teaching Religious Studies at universities, etc.  Most importantly, because of their unique training, they are religious leaders who are well-schooled in pluralistic Judaism, and effective and compassionate spiritual and pastoral counselors.