HEBREW COLLEGE PLANS FIRST-EVER DOCTORAL AND RABBINIC PROGRAMS

BY DEBORAH SOSIN

Moving Hebrew College to a new level of academic prominence, President David M. Gordis announced plans for the development of a doctoral-level degree program and a transdenominational rabbinic program—the first in the College's 81-year history. As the two senior credentials attainable in the Jewish academic world, the doctoral degree and rabbinic ordination programs are key dimensions of the College's five-year strategic plan as the institution assumes a national leadership role in Jewish educational scholarship. This initiative is also a response to mounting requests from graduate students and professionals from across the country seeking a doctoral degree at Hebrew College.

"Moving ahead on this level of professional scholarly training is part of Hebrew College's role in contributing to the renaissance in American Jewish life."

"As our trajectory shifts," says President Gordis, "we are now able to link the enterprise of learning and professional training with the life of the community at the highest academic level—providing a new cadre of the finest leaders and scholars for schools, synagogues, central agencies, Jewish communal institutions and higher education."

In September 2003, Hebrew College's first doctoral students will begin work toward a doctorate in Jewish education at the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education. The course of study will integrate Jewish studies with Jewish educational theory and practice—traditional and contemporary. "Most doctoral-level education programs give less weight to the experience of the Jewish people than to modern educational models," says Dr. Harvey Shapiro, Dean of the Shoolman Graduate School. "We will show fidelity to both to an extensive degree."

Students will apply a variety of methodologies to the creation of their own original research, according to Shapiro, resulting in the publication of a new body of scholarly work. Research opportunities will include theoretical, conceptual, qualitative and quantitative projects—including ethnography, case studies, field studies and narrative inquiries as well as explorations of the history of Jewish education and Jewish thought. Advanced facility in Hebrew language and a specialized entrance exam specific to Hebrew College will be required of all applicants.

The new senior-level academic degree program is intended to attract not only exceptional Jewish educational leaders and thinkers from around the country but new faculty as well. Outstanding specialists in the field of teacher education, Jewish educational research, educational change and evaluation will be recruited in a nationwide search.

As the doctoral degree program in education proceeds, plans for a doctorate in Jewish studies are still in development. According to President Gordis, when the program is finalized, postgraduate students interested in academic or scholarly careers will be able to obtain a PhD in Jewish Studies at Hebrew College.

Paralleling efforts to develop the doctoral programs, plans are now accelerating toward the implementation of the first transdenominational rabbinic program at Hebrew College. "In developing this senior credential in Jewish communal leadership," says President Gordis, "we intend to preserve our status as a total community institution, a specialized academic institution of Jewish studies—not a seminary or religious institution—open to people of all ideological points of view."

Over the years, numerous graduate students have expressed an interest in seeing a rabbinic program created at Hebrew College. Many have family connections and commitments that make it difficult or impossible to move to another city. "Now, a first-rate rabbinic program would be available here in Boston," says President Gordis, "taught by our own distinguished faculty as well as visiting faculty from other local academic institutions."

Initial planning by the administration and faculty of Hebrew College is focused on curriculum development—defining what elements are necessary to create a deep, multidimensional understanding of Jewish knowledge and Jewish learning.

As part of the rabbinic program's development, President Gordis plans to convene a Fall 2002 consultation in collaboration with the Wilstein Institute of Jewish Policy Studies, Hebrew College's resident affiliate, on the synagogue, community and rabbinate for the 21st century.

"Over the past ten years, the public agenda of the Jewish community has grown to include the need to deal with Jewish life, Jewish identity, Jewish literacy and Jewish affiliation," says President Gordis. "It is clear that unless we create a community of engaged and literate Jews, there will be no Jewish continuity in this country. Moving ahead on this level of professional scholarly training—by introducing both the rabbinic program and doctoral program—is part of Hebrew College's role in contributing to the renaissance in American Jewish life."

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