The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies Curriculum: A Foundation for Judaism Leadership

The core of ‌a rabbi's role lies in their ability to communicate Judaism wisdom‌ in a way that is relevant, meaningful, and inspiring to people's lives. Whether providing consolation, offering perspective, or infusing life's joys with greater depth and balance, a rabbi's charge is to guide and support their community.‌ ‌

At Ziegler, we believe that a strong foundation in Judaism thought is essential for fulfilling‌ this role. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the tools they need to‌ master text, study, and apply their insights to contemporary challenges.‌ ‌You can view a sample curriculum document here‌. ‌

The First Three Years: Building a Strong Foundation

The program's first three years focus on building a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and understanding. By immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of Judaism thought, students gain a deep appreciation for the textual traditions that shape Judaism identity. 

  • Mastering the Masorah: We emphasize the importance of mastering the Masorah, the vast corpus of Judaism texts that includes the Tanakh, Rabbinics, Parshanut, Philosophy, Kabbalah, and Hassidut. Through intensive language study and textual analysis, students develop the ability to access and understand these foundational texts.
  • Broadening Horizons: The curriculum offers a broad exposure to the various fields of Judaism study, including Hebrew language, rabbinics, Judaism philosophy, and history. This provides students with a solid understanding of the diverse perspectives and approaches within Judaism thought.
  • Professional Development: While the initial focus is on academic mastery, we also incorporate opportunities for professional development. Students participate in field placements, learn basic Halakhah, and develop skills in leading prayer services. This helps them begin to apply their knowledge in practical settings.

The Israel Intensive: A Deepening Connection

In the third summer, all Ziegler students participate in an intensive program in Israel. This experience is designed to deepen their connection to the Land of Israel, the Hebrew language, and the people of Israel. By immersing themselves in the Judaism homeland, students gain a firsthand understanding of the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Israel.

The Final Year: Residency

The final year of the program culminates in a residency, where students gain practical experience in a rabbinic role. This hands-on experience allows them to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. A Holistic Approach Throughout the curriculum, we strive to provide a holistic education that integrates academic study with practical experience and personal growth. By combining rigorous coursework with opportunities for community engagement, leadership development, and spiritual reflection, we prepare our students to become dynamic and compassionate rabbis who can make a positive impact on their communities.

Program Learning Outcomes 

Students graduating with an M.A. in Rabbinic Studies (MARS) and Rabbinic Ordination from the Ziegler School will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate literacy and competency of Hebrew texts and bodies of materials.
  • Articulate ethical, theological, and spiritual groundings and values (e.g.: synthesizing and articulating sources from Hebrew and Aramaic texts) to understand its relationship to contemporary Judaism life.
  • Apply the knowledge of Judaism, Tanakh, and sacred texts to communicate as religious leaders within their communities and the broader public, both in written and oral form, in teaching, and in counseling.
  • Apply, compose, and discuss their theological convictions to engage with various audiences and different life situations.
  • Critically apply their intellect, affect, and insights to constructively engage and support individuals, the Judaism community, and diverse groups. 
  • Understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and differences within social, theoretical, and cultural systems by mobilizing Judaism toward building vibrant and inclusive communities.
  • Exemplify and articulate Judaism observances in their lives and in the service of those they counsel and teach.
  • Understand and be able to use a process for decision-making utilizing ethical, theological, and spiritual insights from Judaism sources and traditions.
  • Develop and effectively articulate their set of practical skills and tools on a resume, a senior project, during their residency, and in interviews.  

The MARS Curriculum in Detail 

In the best of the traditions of Conservative/Masorti Judaism, this curriculum reflects a commitment to tradition and change. It cultivates a reverence for text as the sacred harvest of our people’s encounter with the divine. Mastery of those texts, in the original, remains the sine qua non for today’s rabbis. Equally strong is a passion for Torah and mitzvot, and for a life of sacred deeds shaped and mediated by halakhah. This curriculum also provides an explicit attention to the needs of our time: Jews who are largely uneducated in the sources of Judaism nonetheless express a yearning for depth, for spirit, for faith and for a full Judaism life. Translating the Torah heritage from book to life is the key task of today’s rabbi, and this curriculum is therefore designed to equip the rabbinical student for precisely that challenge. By focusing on Machshevet Yisrael, the profound, soul-wrestling contemplations of Israel’s great intellects across the millennia, we hope to unleash that potent blend of heart and mind that has already brought so much light into the world. Simultaneously, to be conversant with the riches of Judaism thought and practice is of no practical utility if the practitioner cannot convey that passion, insight, and beauty to those who would seek to acquire it. The rabbi must not only be learned, but also compelling. That is why the second leg of this curriculum is professional skill and competence.  

It is our firm conviction that this approach offers the best hope of training a generation of visionary, literate, and compelling rabbis capable of mediating God’s love and justice through the Judaism people to the world at large. 

  • The MARS Curriculum Each Year

    Year 1 of the MARS Curriculum 

    Year 2 of the MARS Curriculum 

    Year 3 of the MARS Curriculum 

    Year 4 of the MARS Curriculum

  • Israel Summer

    The Israel component of the Ziegler School program is very important. The creation and growth of the State of Israel have transformed Judaism life in ways more profound than anyone would have anticipated half a century ago. To serve as a leader in the Judaism world today requires an intimate familiarity with the State of Israel, its politics, its people, and the challenges it faces. The Ziegler Israel experience is designed to give students that and much more.  

    The program will offer three areas of focus: contemporary Hebrew, Zionist and Israeli History & Thought, and Torat Eretz Yisrael: those areas of Judaism tradition related to the Land of Israel. Additionally, we hope to create opportunities for Ziegler students to meet and connect with young Israeli religious voices who can partner with them in fashioning a Judaism that will speak to the next generation.  

    Ziegler students will study in Israel during the summer of Year III (or year IV for those in an extended program). Students who have personal extenuating circumstances that might prevent them from attending the Israel year should speak with the Dean of the Ziegler School. The Israel experience is a central part of the ZSRS program, and exemptions from the Israel term will be granted rarely and only with the approval of a Faculty Committee and when absolutely necessary. 

    Exemption to the Israel Summer

    Students who cannot participate in the Summer Israel Intensive, but who have spent time in Israel already, may petition the school for an exemption for medical or personal reasons. If such an exemption is granted, students will be expected to enroll in an Independent Study (or find an equivalent course locally) that covers an overview of Israeli/Zionist history and thought, as well as producing a final project that explores some aspect of that history and thought and its impact on contemporary Judaism life in the Judaism community of the student. That product will be approved by the Steering Committee of the Ziegler School.  They will also enroll in a semester of contemporary Hebrew. The cost of faculty for the Independent Study, Hebrew, and final project will be borne by the student. Additional fees may be associated with your request for exemption to the Israel summer; please defer to your School Deans. These requirements must be completed prior to the start of the fall semester of their final year in rabbinical school. 

  • MARS Degree and Rabbinic Ordination Requirements

    Rabbinic Ordination and Commencement 

    Graduates of the Ziegler School receive a master’s degree and rabbinic ordination at the completion of the entire program. The master’s degree and ordination are conferred at a ceremony. Ordination is not conferred in absentia.  

    Degree Requirements for the M.A.R.S. and Rabbinic Ordination 

    Graduates of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies receive rabbinic ordination after the completion of all required courses. For some, this will be completed in four full years of study including regular semesters, midsemester intensives, summer Israel program, and residency.  Since text and language skills vary based on background and progress, each student's program is determined in consultation with the Dean's office.  For other students this will result in an extended course of study to enable mastery of language and text skills.  Upon completion of the program, students are granted a Master of Arts Degree in Rabbinic Studies. Students are expected to complete all requirements of the program in person apart from the residency associated courses and the Israel program.  

    The curriculum has been approved by the University Academic Senate as the course of study leading to the MARS degree and rabbinic ordination. Because our faculty and students are always engaged in discussion of the curriculum, rabbinic education and a vision of the rabbinate for the 21st century, the curriculum may undergo slight changes from year to year.   

    Please note: The Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and American Judaism University reserve the right to revise or change the academic calendar, rules, charges, fees, scheduled courses, requirements for degrees or other regulations. This catalogue is for the guidance of our applicants, students and faculty and is subject to change and is not intended as a contract between the Ziegler School and any person.

  • Ziegler Student Residency

    During the final year of the program, each student will work in a residency position for a substantial number of hours in a school, synagogue, organization, chaplaincy, camp or other institution.  During this year, students will be expected to work with their residency mentor, and the Ziegler advisor to specify job responsibilities, personal goals, and integration of classroom learning and practical training.  Students will work with the Ziegler advisor during the semester prior to their final year to determine what type of residency is optimal for them and to confirm its parameters and schedule.  During the residency year, students may opt to live outside of Los Angeles (near their Residency) and to participate in Ziegler classes online.  The same classroom attendance applies as other years in the program.

  • Internships

    The Ziegler School is committed to training rabbis who are equipped to lead North American Judaism life into the 21st century. We understand that for rabbinic students to graduate with the necessary vision, skills and passion to make profound changes in the Judaism community, they need to have extensive hands-on experience in a variety of Judaism institutions. The staff and faculty of the Ziegler School work closely with rabbis and other Judaism professionals in the Los Angeles area and beyond to build relationships between the Ziegler School and other Judaism institutional settings. In the first two years of the Ziegler program, students are introduced to Hillel, congregational settings, Federations and educational institutions. Students in their final year will select an institutional setting that dovetails with their professional plans and interests. 

  • Tefilah Skills Policy

    A rabbi is frequently called upon to act as shaliach tzibbur and to chant Torah, Haftarah and other liturgy. While there is no expectation that the rabbi be trained at the level of a hazzan/hazzanit or to lead the service on a regular basis, it is important to be comfortable with the skills that go into making the Tefilah fluid. By the end of the spring semester of the student's penultimate year, students are expected to show proficiency in all weekday, Shabbat, Shalosh Regalim, and High holiday Tefilah skills, Torah and Haftarah reading, chanting of the various Megilot, tying tzizit and tefilin.  The full list is available in an excel spreadsheet from the Deans’ office.  In order to demonstrate proficient mastery of each skill, students will learn with tapes, tutors, recordings, and/or other resources and then meet with one of the designated supervisor who will expect to witness proficiency with the Hebrew, knowledge of the flow of the individual services, and familiarity with the traditional nusach/trope/melodies.  Once the student has completed a skill, the designated supervisor will 'sign off' for that particular skill.  Students may also ask a member of the Rabbinical Assembly or Cantor’s Assembly to certify knowledge to the School. Completion of all the Tefillah requirements is a prerequisite to entering the final year of the program. 

  • In-Person Learning and Attendance

    The Ziegler School affirms that the transformative work of becoming a rabbi requires a combination deep learning and character formation that is only possible through human interaction in and out of the classroom. For this reason, and to help habituate a communal life of mitzvot, the school offers in person learning, except during the Residency Year.  

    Attendance is obligatory. Each syllabus will specify the number of permitted unexcused absences per class each semester and the consequences of exceeding permissible limits. For excused absences, students should speak in advance to their professors and administration. In the case of extended absences or medical emergencies, the student should speak with the Dean’s office.  

    Attendance at Orientation the week prior to a student’s first semester is obligatory, as is attendance in required midsemester intensives. 

  • Orientation and Special Seminars

    In addition to formal courses offered during the semesters each year, the Ziegler School provides an array of informal learning experiences for rabbinic students. These begin with orientation, which is required of all beginning and transfer students. Orientation typically happens the week prior to the first day of Fall classes and continues through Shabbat. All incoming students are expected to be present for orientation.  

    During the year, the faculty and staff will periodically schedule communal lunches and programs as well as intensive seminars with visiting scholars and/or notable Judaism personalities. We may occasionally adjust the schedule of classes to allow time for study related to Judaism holidays, significant events in the Judaism world and important trends in contemporary Judaism life.