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Yes. Students learn through a variety of online educational methods including live group learning, weekly independent study, online chat with their students and educators, and several other learning modes meant to provide an incredibly interactive program. At the end of the two (or three) years of study, students are ordained by a pluralistic bet din of three or more rabbis, each representing a different movement in progressive Judaism. Ordination is held in Westchester County, NY.
Yes. Students learn from Conservative/Masorti, Reform and Post-Denominational rabbis who then act as the bet din and/or signatories for smicha. While we seek to provide the best pluralistic education possible, we do not offer Orthodox ordination, ordination for living and working in Israel or to satisfy the requirements of any particular denominational vaad/rabbinical council or rabbinical union.
Students can begin learning at any time by getting a jumpstart on electives and Innovation & Synagogue Engagement courses. Cohort learning begins in January.
Our program is two years and is equivalent to a working adult professional online MBA. As we only work with one cohort at a time, stopping your learning and starting over means that you will have to wait until April 1st of the following year to rejoin the seminary. We recommend only students who can commit to consistent learning participate in our program.
Students who are in the beginner level of Hebrew from the self-assessment will be required to take our program over three years instead of two.
Between watching and listening to lectures, reading, homework, participating in online forums and live streaming sessions, students will need to commit to at least twenty-five hours per week to learning, homework and mentorship meetings. Our program is only successful if students are actively engaged. Students who fail to participate fully in their courses will be excused from the program with no refund under any conditions.
Our seminary includes Reform, Conservative/Masorti and Post-Denominational rabbis and Jewish educators. You can meet our team here.
There are several types of online learning methods utilized in our program. Learn more here.
Similar to Zoom meetings, students need a computer with a webcam, microphone, and access to the internet in a private place of study such as their home. While we appreciate that libraries and universities may have great study areas, we recommend students learn from their home.
There are many options for rabbinical education and we would encourage students seeking more traditional careers to attend more traditional rabbinical schools. Our focus is on creating the rabbinate and Jewish community of the future, which is why we place a heavy emphasis on Jewish innovation, community engagement, and offer our Certificate of Jewish Innovation.
We have three levels of Hebrew: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students self-select their level based on the Hebrew Self-Assessment and conversation with the director. We accept students at all levels, with the understanding that we will help them achieve the level of skills they need from wherever they may be beginning skills-wise. Students who need beginner Hebrew will take an introductory, first-year Hebrew intensive, then join a cohort for the second and third years.
You are never too old or too young to become a rabbi. However, students must also have at least five or more years of experience working as a lay professional or volunteer in a Jewish organization, either synagogue, day school, JCC etc.
Students must be Jewish either by their mother or father or by conversion. Students may be in interfaith relationships. We also accept LGBTQ+ students.
We do not accept non-Jewish students or messianic Jews under any circumstances.
A convert to Judaism certainly can become a rabbi. Since we do require a high level of Jewish knowledge and five or more years of Jewish leadership experience, we are reluctant to admit recently converted students.
Cost of our program for 2027 is broken down as follows:
The only additional expense is cost of travel and lodging for ordination, held in Westchester County, NY.
There is no fee to apply and no fee for graduation. Textbook prices vary based on whether a student buys books new, second hand, or digital versions. Most electives do not require textbooks, and all materials are included free in those courses.
In the event that a student completes their cohort’s academic work but fails to complete the Innovation and Synagogue Engagement or electives course work, a student may receive (at the Director’s discretion) the opportunity to complete the work outside of smicha. The fee for this is $350 USD per missed credit, not to exceed $8,400 USD.
Payment is made through automated debit from a student’s bank account. Students are able to receive invoices and receipts for payment through their student financial portal. All payment plans are free and there are no processing fees of any kind.
We have three goals as a seminary: to train and ordain future rabbis for the future of Judaism, to provide the absolute best distance learning rabbinical education possible and to be a leader in Jewish pluralism.
In order to provide the highest quality education at the lowest possible price, the seminary is not academically accredited.
Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary is a project of PunkTorah, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It was founded by Rabbi Sandy Zisser and is run by several rabbis and administrators who in the past were, or currently are, part of Darshan Yeshiva.
Rabbi Sandy Zisser is the Founder and Director of Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. More information about our team can be found here.
While we deeply respect all of those movements, and have educators and administrators who are a part of those denominations, we are a purely post-denominational organization.
PRS is committed to the elimination of discrimination and the provision of equal opportunity in education and employment. As a matter of policy and, where applicable, to comply with local, state and federal laws, PRS prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military service or status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Americans With Disabilities Act
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, PRS is committed to making all programs accessible and providing reasonable accommodations for persons with special needs, provided that such accommodations do not impose an undue hardship on PRS. Students needing assistance should contact the Director of PRS.
Policy Against Harassment
PRS is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment free from discrimination and harassment based on a person’s sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, national origin, military service status, veteran status and all other legally protected characteristics. PRS will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. All students must avoid offensive or inappropriate behavior at PRS whether directed at an employee, vendor, student, or customer. Each employee is expected to keep PRS free from harassment at all times. Inappropriate or harassing actions, words, jokes, or comments based upon an individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, disability, national origin, military service, veteran status and all other legally protected characteristics is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
PRS’s anti-harassment policy applies to all persons involved in the operation of PRS and prohibits unlawful harassment by any employee, agent or affiliate of PRS, including managers, supervisors, and co-workers, as well as vendors, students, visitors, contractors and temporary employees.