Pararabbinic Program
The Pararabbinic Program at Hebrew Seminary is designed for emerging Jewish leaders who would like increased knowledge in matters of Torah study, Jewish ritual, and communal leadership but do not seek rabbinic ordination at the present time.
Preparation for Study
The trajectory of studies at the Pararabbinic Program of Hebrew Seminary amounts to 26 credits. The full course of the Pararabbinic Program is designed to take a full-time student approximately 2 years, but students may enroll as part-time students and may take longer than 2 years to complete the program. In the case of students who graduate from the Pararabbinic Program and later enroll in the Rabbinical School, credits earned through the Pararabbinic Program may be applied towards the 60 required credits of the Rabbinical School. To learn more about when a student is ready for our Pararabbinic Program, please view our Admissions Requirements.
Required Courses
Of the 26 credits required for graduation from Hebrew Seminary’s Pararabbinic Program, the following Required Courses–or, in special circumstances, the equivalent thereof as determined by the Dean of Students and Rosh Yeshivah–must be completed.
The full Pararabbinic Program consists of 24 credits of Required Courses and 2 credits of Elective Courses. All courses are offered online.
Biblical Studies:
(2 credits required)
Genesis & Exodus
Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy
Diversity and Accessibility:
(1 credit required)
Diversity in the Jewish community
Jewish History:
(2 credits required)
Israel, Palestine, and Zionism
Ancient Jewish History
Jewish Languages:
(4 credits required)
Beginning Hebrew I
Beginning Hebrew II
Intermediate Hebrew I
Intermediate Hebrew II
Jewish Liturgy:
(3 credits required)
Liturgy of Shabbat & Weekdays
Liturgy of the High Holidays
Liturgy of Three Festivals
Jewish Thought:
(1 credit required)
Introduction to Jewish Philosophy
Pastoral Care:
(2 credits required)
Bikkur Cholim
Human Development
Practical Skills:
(4 credits required)
Homiletics and Communications
Lifecycle Officiation
Rabbinic Self-Care, Identity Formation, Leadership
Pedagogy for Youth
Rabbinic Literature
(4 credits required)
Talmud Bavli I
Talmud Bavli II
Survey of Halakhic Literature
Survey of Midrashic Literature
Mysticism & Spirituality
(1 credit required)
Jewish Healing Meditations
Learn With Us
All classes are currently held virtually and are open to Rabbinic and Pararabbinic students, as well as auditing students from around the world.
Transferring Credits
Students who complete the Pararabbinic Program at Hebrew Seminary are automatically eligible to enroll as Rabbinical students at Hebrew Seminary. All credits from the Pararabbinic Program may be applied towards the 60 credits required for completion of studies in the Rabbinical School. All Required Courses are offered online. Most Electives and Independent Study courses are offered online, and select Electives and Independent Study courses may be offered in person.