Jewish learning Thinking of Becoming a Rabbi?
7 Frequently-Asked Questions

Considering the Rabbinate

Becoming a rabbi is a big life decision—an academic decision, a lifestyle decision, a spiritual decision. It’s a personal decision, and a decision for the Jewish world and the Jewish people. As you consider whether the rabbinate is the right career path for you, here are seven areas that might help you along the way.

1. How long does it take to become a rabbi?

At Hebrew College, our pluralistic, in-person rabbinical ordination program typically takes 4-6 years, depending on your Hebrew skills and familiarity with Jewish text. The progression looks like this:

YEAR 1: Mekorot – First (preparatory) year of the 6-year program for students who need to hone their Hebrew and text skills.

YEAR 2: Shanah Aleph – First year of the 5-year program, for students with the equivalent of 3 years of college-level Hebrew AND passage of our Hebrew language placement exam.

YEAR 3: Shanah Bet – First year of the 4-year program advanced track for students with advanced Hebrew and text skills.

YEAR 4: Shanah Gimel – Israel experience (required)

YEAR 5: Shanah Dalet – Internship opportunities

YEAR 6: Shanah Hey – Internship opportunities; job placement support; ordination

2. What does a rabbi do?

When we asked our rabbinical alumni to describe their rabbinates, their responses illustrate the breadth and depth of rabbinic work; they each have taken their Hebrew College education out into the world to create a rabbinate that reflects their unique passions and gifts. Across the board, their descriptions reflect deep creativity, commitment, love of Torah, social action, and innovative spiritual and prayer leadership. Here are just some of the words they used to describe the role:

Educator, author, first responder, artist, musician, activist, organizer, poet, professor, pastoral caregiver, facilitator, melody weaver, counselor, healer, caretaker, spiritual guide, community builder, prayer leader, farmer, host, Eved Hashem, Klezmer fiddler, translator, peacemaker, darshan, midwife, officiant, fundraiser, preacher.

Visit hebrewcollege.edu/rabbi-as for more examples of how alumni describe their rabbinates.

3. What does a rabbinical career progression typically look like?

Our alumni have varied career paths. Below is a breakdown of career focuses and titles for Hebrew College Rabbinical School alumni to date.

• 40% pulpit rabbis
  • Titles: Assistant Rabbi, Associate Rabbi, Rabbi, Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbinic Program & Community Builder, Rav-Hazzan
• 17% Jewish communal leaders
  • Titles: Chief Ideas Officer, Co-Founder, Director of Jewish Journeys and Engagement, Executive Director, Founder & President, National Organizer, Rabbi & Founding Director, Senior Director of Innovation
• 16% Jewish educators (elementary through higher ed)
  • Titles: Dean, Director of Congregational Learning, Director of National Learning Initiatives, Director of Spirituality, Faculty, Jewish Studies Faculty, Professor, Rabbi of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Educator, Rabbi for Outreach & Family Engagement, Spiritual Guide, Teacher
• 13% Hillel or College rabbis
  • Titles: Campus Rabbi, Director of Jewish Life, Hillel Rabbi
• 10% Chaplains or Pastoral Care rabbis
  • Titles: CEO & University Chaplain, Chaplain for Jewish Life, Director of Campus Ministry, Hospice Chaplain, Interfaith Chaplain, Jewish Chaplain, Palliative Care Chaplain, Rabbi Chaplain
• 4% Non-pulpit, community rabbis
  • Titles: BASE Rabbi, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Community Rabbi, Executive Director

For rabbis working in Pulpits:

Some rabbis choose to work in a pulpit serving a particular community, rather than another setting, to meet congregants’ spiritual, educational, and pastoral needs. Serving in a pulpit also offers a way to meet and work with an intergenerational (and sometimes interfaith) community of seekers.

• 24% work in synagogues affiliated with the Reform movement
• 34% work in synagogues affiliated with the Conservative movement
• 32% work in Independent Synagogues
• 10% work in synagogues affiliated with the Reconstructing Judaism movement

4. What are the requirements for rabbinical school admission?

At Hebrew College, we are looking for students with:

• an unquenchable thirst to learn from the wisdom of Jewish tradition
• a drive to fashion an authentic personal relationship to Judaism
• a passion to engage with people, practices, and ideas from across the Jewish spectrum
• a commitment to serve the Jewish people

Rabbinical School Application Process

• Jewish Engagement & Identity – Applicants must be Jewish by birth as recognized by at least one major rabbinic body, or by a conversion process that is recognized by at least one major rabbinic body.
• Academic – Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a competitive GPA. We do not require applicants to submit GRE results.

Preparation and Class Placement Guides

1. 1. Personal Preparation Guide, which offers suggestions for reading and growth in core areas of Jewish knowledge and identity.
   2. Hebrew and Text Skills Preparation Guide, which offers specific instructions for ensuring your knowledge of Hebrew is at the appropriate level to enter rabbinical school in either Mekorot, the preparatory year program, or Shanah Aleph (Year 1)

• • 4-year Advanced Track – Students who have significant capacity to study Tanakh, Talmud, and halakha in the original language, as well as rich experience immersing in Jewish life and living, may be able to start in Shanah Bet and complete the program in four years. Advanced placement is determined as part of the regular application process.

5. After I’m accepted, how do I prepare for rabbinical school?

Learning and preparation prior to rabbinical school is an essential part of the path to the rabbinate. It is a time to deepen your Jewish knowledge and practice and make progress on your path of religious and spiritual growth.

Deepen your relationship with core aspects of Jewish life through:

• Ahavat Hashem: Engaging with God, theology and Jewish practice
• Ahavat Torah: Engaging in Torah study
• Ahavat Israel: Engaging with the Jewish people and Jewish culture in North America, Israel and around the world

6. What are the ordination requirements?

Hebrew College’s core curriculum is beit midrash oriented. Students learn in hevruta (pairs) in our Mascott Beit Midrash, with study centered around the traditional Jewish texts: Talmud and Tanakh. We focus on teaching our students to be inheritors of Jewish tradition so they can be innovators in their rabbinates.

Required Course Areas:

• Tanakh
• Rabbinics: Talmud and halakhah
• Jewish Thought, Theology, and Prayer
• Language: Hebrew & Aramaic
• Professional Development/Internships
• Israel Experience

7. How much does rabbinical school cost?

Tuition & Fees 2025-2026: $34,460 (block tuition for students taking up to 20 credits each semester)

• Room and board*: $20,700 (9 months)
• Books*: $2,970
• Transportation, personal expenses*: $14,400
• Health Insurance: $540
• Financial Aid: More than 90% if students receive significant financial aid, greatly reducing tuition

*Estimates above are based on average responses to a cost-of-living survey of rabbinical students in early 2025 and can vary widely from student to student depending on personal expenses and lifestyle.

Help financing your education

We encourage you to submit the following at the same time that you apply for admission: Hebrew College 2025-2026 Application for Financial Aid (read these instructions before submitting the form), and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Learn more about financing your rabbinical education, including our scholarships and merit-based awards.