Reimagining Jewish learning and leadership for an interconnected world. Making our lives more meaningful, our communities more vibrant, and our world more whole.
Jewish leadership and learning for a pluralistic world.
At Hebrew College, pluralism is our lens. This perspective encourages our students to ask questions and have authentic and sometimes difficult conversations—with themselves and one another—about how to live, learn and pray; about what unites us and what divides us. In the process, they learn to listen, not to judge. They learn to engage, to think deeply and creatively, to find their own Jewish practices; and to serve and participate in the diverse, ever-changing Jewish communities throughout our country and around the world.
As we are buffeted daily by news of violence, cruelty, ignorance, and intolerance in our nation and around the world – I am grateful to be part of an institution where love of teaching and learning — love of Torah — is at our core, and where we strive to make our study an act of sacred service to a world in need of healing and hope.
Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President, Hebrew College
Founded in 1921, Hebrew College embraces a mission that connects serious academic study of Judaism with the educational needs and challenges of the community through our outstanding graduate, community and youth learning, and professional development programs. No ivory tower, Hebrew College strives to be a modern equivalent of Abraham’s tent, with all sides open to anyone who wishes to join our passionate pursuit of Jewish education.
Here you will find diverse entryways, ranging from intensive text study and professional training that prepare you for a leadership role in the Jewish community to opportunities that enable you to explore Jewish culture, arts, and music as a means to define and refine your Jewish identity.
Rooted in the Hebraist-Zionist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we maintain a deep commitment to the importance of Hebrew language as a conveyor of Jewish culture and as a link between Diaspora Jewry and the State of Israel. Courses at Hebrew College were originally taught only in Hebrew; today most classes are taught in English, but Hebrew language instruction for beginners to advanced students remains an essential element of the curriculum for graduate degree programs and an accessible option for adult learners and Prozdor high school students.
Hebrew College’s legacy also bequeaths a strong commitment to pluralism, an openness to all forms of Jewish expression, commitment and practice. We seek to engage diverse perspectives on any given Jewish topic, both to encourage a dynamic exchange and to foster respect for other points of view. Hebrew College, true to our roots, strives to encompass the broadest spectrum of Jewish life and to model k’lal Yisrael — a community of all Jews — while welcoming members of other faiths to join our vibrant conversation.
Hebrew College’s New Home: A Shared Campus in Newton
Unique Collaboration Creates Hub of Jewish Life and Learning in Newton, Mass.
We are excited to share that Hebrew College partnered with Temple Reyim to create a new shared campus for Jewish life on the grounds of Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street in Newton, Mass. We relocated to our new home in January 2023.
36 congregations in Greater Boston are served by our students and alumni
Jewish life on every major campus in New England has been invigorated by the leadership of a Hebrew College rabbi or rabbinic intern – including Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis, Brown, Bryant University, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, Tufts, and UMass Amherst, and University of Rhode Island
Hebrew College rabbis serve as chaplains in health care settings and senior housing facilities throughout Greater Boston (Right: Rabbi Jim Morgan`08, Chaplain at Hebrew SeniorLife)
Every local Jewish day school draws on the talent of Hebrew College rabbis and educators
70 current rabbinic and cantorial students serve locally in a wide variety of internships, sharing their teaching, prayer leadership, pastoral care, community-building skills, passion for social justice, and entrepreneurial spirit across the country and around the world.
Organizations and communities being served by our alumni are growing and thriving in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.
Global communities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, and Israel are being invigorated by our alumni and by their vision of vibrant, pluralistic Jewish life infused with Torah, spirituality, and creativity
Hebrew College students and alumni are playing leadership roles in innovative national organizations like BASE Hillel, CLAL: National Center for Learning and Leadership, the Emergent Synagogue Network, Machon Hadar, the Shalom Hartman Institute, Hazon, Keshet, Jewish Studio Project, Lippman-Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center, the Schusterman Fellowship, Svara: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and more
The Hebrew College Tamid Adult Learning programs we have created in collaboration with Combined Jewish Philanthropies have created a vibrant culture of Jewish learning in Greater Boston, and nurtured one of the most literate Jewish communities in North America, with 2,500 adult learners participating in our classes last year alone
The Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership does groundbreaking work with local teens, undergraduates, and young professionals, and is a national thought leader in the field of Interreligious learning and engagement – promoting a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world through study, dialogue, and joint action. (Above, right: Rabbi Or Rose, Miller Center Director)
Organizations and communities being served by our alumni are growing and thriving in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.
Global communities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, and Israel are being invigorated by our alumni and by their vision of vibrant, pluralistic Jewish life infused with Torah, spirituality, and creativity
Hebrew College students and alumni are playing leadership roles in innovative national organizations like BASE Hillel, CLAL: National Center for Learning and Leadership, the Emergent Synagogue Network, Machon Hadar, the Shalom Hartman Institute, Hazon, Keshet, Jewish Studio Project, Lippman-Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, Mayyim Hayyim Living Waters Community Mikveh and Education Center, the Schusterman Fellowship, Svara: A Traditionally Radical Yeshiva, T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, and more
The adult learning programs we have created in collaboration with Combined Jewish Philanthropies have created a vibrant culture of Jewish learning in Greater Boston, and nurtured one of the most literate Jewish communities in North America, with 2,500 adult learners participating in our classes last year alone
The Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Interreligious Learning and Leadership does groundbreaking work with local teens, undergraduates, and young professionals, and is a national thought leader in the field of Interreligious learning and engagement – promoting a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world through study, dialogue, and joint action. (Above, right: Rabbi Or Rose, Miller Center Director)
Hebrew College celebrated our 100th year in 2021-2022 around the theme “Remember. Renew. Reimagine.” Throughout the year, we held special events, ran a special Centennial Me’ah Lecture Series; published an historical centennial book Hiddushim; produced our Centennial season of our Speaking Torah Podcast; and shared stories, historical photos and more.
Hebrew College rabbis serve as chaplains in health care settings and senior housing facilities throughout Greater Boston (Right: Rabbi Jim Morgan`08, Chaplain at Hebrew SeniorLife)
Hebrew College rabbis serve as chaplains in health care settings and senior housing facilities throughout Greater Boston (Right: Rabbi Jim Morgan`08, Chaplain at Hebrew SeniorLife)
Hebrew College celebrated our 100th year in 2021-2022 around the theme “Remember. Renew. Reimagine.” Throughout the year, we held special events, ran a special Centennial Me’ah Lecture Series; published an historical centennial book Hiddushim; produced our Centennial season of our Speaking Torah Podcast; and shared stories, historical photos and more.
Tamid of Hebrew College: CJP Supported Adult Learning Programs
Tamid of Hebrew College: CJP Supported Adult Learning Programs