Identifying, training, and mentoring the next generation of rabbis
Our division seeks to instill within students at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) a passion for avodat hakodesh and to ensure that they have the speaking, counseling and management skills to lead the Jewish community.
Initiatives and projects include:
- A mentoring and professional advisement program for all RIETS students
- Shaping the Professional classes at RIETS with Rabbi Zevulun Charlop
- A third- and fourth-year internship programs for RIETS students
- Recruitment for semikhah and careers in avodat hakodesh
- Or Chadash / Ner Leelef Outreach Training Fellowship
- Pok Chazi Program to interest students in positions outside of New York
- Spirituality retreats
RPEP [Rabbinic Training Program] Classes
The CJF partners with RIETS to offer the best in professional rabbinic training.
Career Guidance for Semicha Students
The talmidim of RIETS are our community’s future and we make sure to keep up with every one of them and provide necessary career guidance.
Starting in their second year, students choose a professional track and are assigned a track advisor:
• Pulpit / Community Rabbinate: Rabbi Marc Penner, penner@yu.edu
• Education: Rabbi Gray Beitler
• Organizational Careers: Rabbi Gideon Shloush, gshloush@yu.edu
• Outreach: Rabbi Gideon Shloush, gshloush@yu.edu
• Hospital Chaplaincy: Rabbi Nathan Goldberg
Third- and Fourth-year Internships
A crucial part of student training at RIETS is the internship program.
Third Year Internship
This shimush program provides students with initial hands-on experience functioning as rabbinic professionals The assignment directly relates to each student’s defined rabbinic professional goals, helps the student explore and define his rabbinic professional goals.
Fourth Year Internship
The Irving I. Stone Internship Program is a full-year mentored internship program in the synagogue, school, outreach, administrative, or chaplaincy setting. During this year, the student functions as a regular part of the rabbinic staff at the internship location. The Internship Director meets with each intern during the year to track his growth during this time.
In addition, the interns meet together regularly at the Professional Rabbinics Seminar to converse about their internship experiences, share ideas, and to participate in discussions with rabbinic leaders about vital skills and issues.
Recruitment for RIETS and Careers in Avodat Hakodesh
CJF runs programs throughout the year, including:
- Chodesh Avodas Hakodesh, programs in Adar in Yeshiva
- Lectures in Israeli yeshivot
- A special program with the Joint Distribution Committee to send students to serve Eastern European communities
- Pok Chazi Program, in which students visit communities outside of the New York area
- Recruitment on college campuses
- Working with rabbinic alumni, RCA and shuls to create a climate where young men and women are encouraged to pursue careers in Avodat Hakodesh
Or Chadash / Ner Leelef Outreach Training Fellowship
This exciting new program, in partnership with Ner Leelef, allows students in both New York and the Gruss Center in Jerusalem to study for two years in preparation for careers in outreach. Students receive generous monthly stipends during their years of study and are then expected to work for at least two years upon graduation in an outreach position outside of New York.
For more information, contact Rabbi Elly Krimsky, Program Coordinator, at ekrimsky@yu.edu