A Call for Reform: How Hebrew Union College’s Rabbinical Curriculum Prepares Students for Changing Demands in the Reform Jewish landscape

Abstract

This thesis investigates the difficulties in preparing rabbinical leadership for a rapidly changing religious landscape by looking at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, the main seminary for training Reform rabbis in America. Through 33 in-depth interviews with recently ordained rabbis and faculty members at HUC, I analyze the effectiveness of the College’s curriculum, focusing on the manner in which HUC prepares its students for a diversity of rabbinate. My analysis includes a discussion of the challenges facing both HUC and the Reform movement in America more broadly. Ultimately, I determine that HUC must do more in training its rabbis for a rapidly changing Reform landscape, which requires rabbis to think innovatively both inside and outside of the congregational setting. A variety of challenges, perspectives, and ideas for moving forward are discussed.