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Top Five Questions
Is this smicha (ordination) valid?
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.
Is this entirely online?
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.
How much does the program cost? How can I save money in the program?
Cost of our program for effective 2027 is broken down as follows:
- Admissions: Free
- Monthly Tuition (Beginner Hebrew): $1,200 per month for thirty-six (36) months
- Monthly Tuition (Intermediate or Advanced Hebrew): $1,200 per month for twenty-four (24) months
- Textbooks: $100.00 or less per month
- Graduation: Free
The only additional expense is cost of travel and lodging for ordination, held in Westchester County, NY.
Payment can be made via debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We do not accept cash or other forms of payment. We only accept checks for payment in-full.
Who are the educators in the seminary?
Our seminary includes Reform, Conservative/Masorti and Post-Denominational rabbis and Jewish educators. You can meet our team here.
Who do you admit to the program?
You can learn more about our admissions requirements here.
You can apply for our program here.
General Program Questions
When do courses begin?
Students can begin learning at any time.
Is this entirely online?
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.
How long is the program? Can I start and stop at any time?
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.
What are courses like?
There are several types of online learning methods utilized in our program. Learn more here.
Do I need special technology?
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.
How much time will I have to commit to learning?
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.
Can I get a job in a synagogue, school or Jewish nonprofit with this smicha?
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.
Admissions Questions
What are the requirements to join the seminary?
- A bachelor of arts or sciences from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent education and work experience
- The equivalent mastery of two years of Tanakh and Jewish history
- A working understanding of Talmud/Halacha as it pertains to daily life, lifecycle, and holidays
- Knowledge of the structure and practice of the siddur and machzor
- Some knowledge, even if limited, of Jewish philosophy, thinkers, and mysticism
- Five or more years’ experience professionally or as a volunteer in Jewish communal life such as synagogues, JCC, Federation, Jewish non-profits, etc.
- Completion of the application
- Completion of the Hebrew Self-Assessment
- Three professional and/or academic recommendations (in .pdf form)
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.
Can I convert to Judaism then become a rabbi?
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.
Tuition and Expense Questions
How much does the program cost?
There are two tracks for tuition in year 2027:
- Students who need a preparatory year in Hebrew will have tuition at $1,200 USD per month for thirty-six (36) months.
- Students assessed into intermediate or advanced Hebrew, who do not need a preparatory year, will have tuition at $1,200 USD per month for twenty-four (24) months.
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.
How does payment work?
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.
Organizational Questions
What is the purpose of Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary?
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.
Is this program accredited?
In order to provide the highest quality education at the lowest possible price, the seminary is not academically accredited.
What is the relationship between Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary and Darshan Yeshiva? Are you affiliated with any other organizations?
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.
Who is your Dean? Leadership?
Rabbi Sandy Zisser is the Founder and Director of Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary. More information about our team can be found here.
Are you a part of the Reform movement? Conservative movement? Orthodox?
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.
How Do You Approach Equal Opportunity and Discrimination?
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.