Instructor: Rabbi Patrick Beaulier (Rabbi Patrick)
Note: this course is open to all students, however, it is designed for students who are currently working in synagogues and will likely continue to work in those same synagogues post-smicha.
This course is .5 credits.
This course introduces you to PRS alum who are now working as rabbis within their home synagogues. If entrepreneurs are people who work to innovate outside of established communities and organizations, then consider this “intra-preneurship” — learning to work from within pre-existing structures. These former students, now rabbis, are what we are calling homegrown. They came from a community who needed a rabbi, and now they have one.
In other words — YES, Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary rabbis can go on to serve pulpits, perhaps even the pulpits they see every week.
Learning Objectives
- To learn from a network of hand selected mentors who have been where you are, and can offer wisdom for your future
- To gain perspective on the role of rabbi in existing communities, and the opportunities and limits of innovation from within
- To apply what you are learning as a PRS student to your future within the community
- To gian a greater sense of self esteem regarding independent smicha and the broader Jewish institutional world.
Course Content
Each core unit includes a 40 minute podcast and 6-8 question quiz. Students will be asked to write a final essay (at least 3 pages) sharing what they have learned from each of the educators and how they intend to use that knowledge in practical ways in their rabbinate. This paper should be uploaded in the final quiz, as well as posted in the #prs Slack channel.
Rabbi Patrick gives an introduction to this course, explaining how the course was developed, and course outcomes. Rabbi Patrick also shares his own wisdom from his rabbinate.
Meet Your Lecturers and Instructor
| Lecturer | Role | Location |
| Rabbi Patrick Beaulier | Rabbi and Co-Spiritual Leader, Kehillah | Richmond, VA |
| Rabbi Avi Mitzner | Rabbi and Ritual Director, Congregation Shearith Israel | Dallas, TX |
| Rabbi Shara Siegfeld | Rabbi, Congregation Beth Shalom | Clifton Park, NY |
| Rabbi Robbie Schaefer | Rabbi, Har Shalom | Missoula, MT |
| Rabbi Russell G. Jayne | Senior Rabbi and Cantor, Beth Tzedec Congregation | Calgary, AB |
| Rabbi Daniel Bubnis | Spiritual Leader and Interim Rabbi, Temple Israel of Scranton | Scranton, PA |
| Rabbi Cantor Adam Stotland | Rabbi Cantor, Shaare Zion Beth-El | Montreal, QC |
| Rabbi Marcia Weinstein | Rabbi, Congregation Etz Chaim | Wilton Manors, FL |
| Rabbi Doron Shapira | Rabbi and Cantor, Peninsula Sinai Congregation | Foster City, CA |
| Rabbi Sam Zwarenstein | Rabbi, Emanuel Synagogue | Sydney, Australia |
Course Content
Ratings and Reviews
Jeffrey SumberThis was very useful for reflecting on the various ways we find ourselves here and what we do with it!
Nick BarberThis is a PRS must take. Seeing PRS Rabbis in action and hearing there own personal journeys, fears and challenges made me realize "we are not alone". Hearing how they navigated challenges, and found success was a tremendous morale booster for me. Im a fan of the course and would suggest any and all to take it.
This was a very good course. I found pairing Judaism Unbound and Homegrown back-to-back to be a very inspiring and thought-provoking combination.