Mission

The Hebrew College Mission

Hebrew College Mission Statement

Hebrew College promotes excellence in Jewish learning and leadership within a pluralistic environment of open inquiry, intellectual rigor, personal engagement and spiritual creativity. We empower and inspire individuals to contribute their voices and vision to the Jewish community and to bring Jewish values to bear on the critical issues of our time.

Dedicated to building bridges between the academy and the community, we offer diverse educational and cultural programs for youths, adults and Jewish professionals, and seek to invigorate Jewish life through the following core values:

Ahavat Torah: A Love of Learning

At the heart of Hebrew College is our vibrant learning community. We share the conviction that education is the key to Jewish vitality, and we are devoted to rigorous study of the full breadth of Jewish religion and culture. Together, we foster lifelong Jewish learning that engages the whole person, challenging the mind and nourishing the soul.

Areivut: Embracing Communal Responsibility

Jewish leaders in the 21st century must assume responsibility for both the Jewish future and the future of our planet. Hebrew College promotes learning in a context of communal commitment and concern — for our own local community, for Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and for all inhabitants of the earth. Through education, activism, service and interfaith cooperation, we seek to bring healing to a world in need of repair.

Elu v'Elu: Engaging Diversity

As a pluralistic institution, we recognize and value human diversity. Within our own k'lal Yisrael community and in dialogue with people from other faith traditions, we actively engage a multiplicity of experiences and perspectives in an environment of mutual respect. The encounter with different points of view prompts us to ask honest and searching questions of ourselves and of one another, and to see this process as a source of wisdom and strength.

Yetzira: Fostering Jewish Creativity

Judaism, at its best, is a creative intellectual and spiritual encounter among the individual, the community and the received tradition. Hebrew College encourages and empowers learners to see themselves as both inheritors and innovators — active participants in the unfolding story of the Jewish people. We embrace music, literature and the visual and performing arts as sources of inspiration and as vital modes of Jewish discovery and expression.

A Diverse Community

Professional, Adult, and Youth Education

Hebrew College offers a diverse array of high-quality educational programs that provide many points of entry to Jewish learning. The institution strives to be a modern equivalent of Abraham’s tent, with all sides open to anyone who wishes to join our passionate pursuit of Jewish education.

Online and On-campus Study

Our Newton Centre campus serves students in the Greater Boston area and throughout New England. Reaching out to a national and global audience, the college has been a pioneer in online Jewish studies and continues to expand our range of online degree and certificate programs, as well as online courses in Hebrew language and other subject areas.

Pluralistic Community

You can learn about our educational programs here.