Requirements for Completing a Certificate in Global Jewish Growth

The Certificate in Global Jewish Growth will be awarded to Hebrew Seminary Certificate Program students who complete the Program requirements through Hebrew Seminary’s course “Kehillah & Tefillah.” Certificate students are required to attend our sessions, held virtually during the Fall 2025 semester on Tuesdays 12:00-1:00 PM CT.*

Sessions meet Tuesdays between September 2, 2025; and January 27, 2025; no classes between and on September 23 and October 14.

Such topics to be addressed in this course of study include:

  • antisemitism
  • the Israel-Palestine conflict
  • the lives of Jews of color
  • issues unique to LGBTQ+ Jews
  • inclusion for Jews with varying hearing statuses and disabilities
  • interfaith dialogue
  • pastoral responses to mental health
  • creative and entrepreneurial approaches to Jewish outreach.

By providing a space for both education and spiritual reflection, Kehillah & Tefillah will reach students, rabbis, and other Jewish leaders, empowering them to engage with critical challenges within the Jewish community. The course is designed to foster a deeper understanding of these issues, to develop effective leadership skills, and to support a more inclusive and resilient Jewish community in North America and beyond.

Students pursuing a Certification in Global Jewish Growth must complete the 2 assignments pertaining to Presentations from the Kehillah (Jewish “Community”) portions of the course. Students pursuing a Certificate in Global Jewish Growth must meet the following requirements:

  • Synchronous attendance of at least 75% of Presentations
  • Satisfactory completion of the 2 Presentation-related assignments 
  • Full payment of the combined $360 fee for the Certificate and tuition “Kehillah & Tefillah” course 
Click to apply for the Certificate Program in Global Jewish Growth.

*Synchronous learning in the Certificate Program in Global Jewish Growth takes place in the “Kehillah & Tefillah” course, scheduled in the Fall of 2025 for Tuesdays 12:00-1:30 PM, but Certificate students are only required to attend each session’s first hour, focused on Kehillah (“Community”). The final half-hour of each session, focused on Tefillah (“Prayer”), is required for participating rabbinical and pararabbinic students. Prospective rabbinic students and prospective pararabbinic students enrolled in the Certificate Program and wishing to apply their credit from “Kehillah & Tefillah” toward their rabbinic or pararabbinic education must attend the full 1.5 hours of each session. Note that Hebrew Seminary’s Rabbinical School Graduation Requirements include 4 semesters of “Kehillah & Tefillah,” and Hebrew Seminary’s Pararabbinic Program Graduation Requirements include 1 semester of “Kehillah & Tefillah.”

About Hebrew Seminary

Hebrew Seminary is a pluralistic egalitarian rabbinical school that educates people to become rabbis and pararabbis for Jewish and multifaith communities. Hebrew Seminary was founded in 1992 to meet the spiritual needs of the Jewish Deaf and hearing. As an outgrowth of its commitment to inclusiveness for all underserved communities, Hebrew Seminary has expanded its mission to serve the richly diverse Jewish community in all its facets. We believe that the Jewish community as a whole is strengthened when we recognize the validity of all those who contribute to our vibrant Jewish heritage.

Our curriculum is grounded in Bible, Hebrew, and Talmud, and incorporates Jewish ethics and history. Through elective classes and chevruta study, students are encouraged to follow their own interests and passions, especially as they reflect today’s dynamic Jewish communities.

Hebrew Seminary’s curriculum differs from the programs of all other American rabbinical schools by offering traditional Jewish healing meditations and practices, and American Sign Language and Signed English translations of Jewish liturgy and life-cycle events. Our founder, Rabbi Dr. Douglas Goldhamer z”l wrote extensively on these subjects. Our online courses attract a diverse student body from across North America. While all required coursework for our programs can be completed online, we also host learning opportunities onsite in Chicago. The rabbinic program is a 5-year course of study for full-time students and the pararabbinic program is a 2-year course of study for full-time students. Students may alternately pursue their studies for either program on a part-time basis. American Sign Language interpreters are provided for students and faculty whenever needed.

Our graduates serve as congregational rabbis, spiritual counselors, professors, education directors, activists, chaplains at universities and hospitals, and more. Whether you are just starting out on your career path or you’ve always wanted to guide and inspire others along a Jewish path, Hebrew Seminary is here to guide you and support you along your journey to Jewish leadership.