Ordaining Rabbis, Cantors, Rabbinic Pastors
Training Spiritual Directors
The ALEPH Ordination Program (AOP) offers a comprehensive curriculum of study and practica for students aspiring to become rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors and mashpi’im (spiritual directors), embracing both traditional modalities of learning and prayer and the exploration of new learning, ritual, art, music, and prayer experiences.
Students completing the ALEPH Ordination Programs will be empowered and compassionate Jewish teachers and leaders, artists, healers, and spiritual guides. AOP students are expected to demonstrate a high-level of Jewish literacy and personal integrity, textual skills and interpersonal skills, and to demonstrate a capacity to work with individuals and groups in a way that models a life path of personal growth and self-awareness.
APPLICATIONS FOR Fall 2025 Due January 15, 2025
The ALEPH Ordination Program trains students from diverse backgrounds and every denomination to serve the global Jewish community. Each program’s unique curriculum engages our dynamic faculty and student body in a full spectrum of Jewish learning and practice.
Four Paths to Ordination
The application process for the ALEPH program is unlike the application process common in most academic institutions. The first step is to request information by completing a form for our Admissions Officer.
Training rabbis to be community builders, teachers, spiritual leaders and artists of Jewish tradition. The rigorous curriculum engages our dynamic faculty and student body in the full spectrum of rabbinic learning and practice.
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For those whose spiritual gifts draw them to serve in fields often associated with the pastoral dimension of rabbinic work, this program stresses rigorous mentorship and a curriculum of pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, chaplaincy and liturgical skills.
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Cultivating mastery of Jewish liturgy and inspired leadership of prayer grounded in traditional nusach and hazzanut, Ashkenazi and Sephardi/Mizrachi musical traditions, skilled musicianship, sophisticated Jewish literacy and pastoral training.
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A three-year training program for clergy and lay leaders leading to a Certificate of Completion as Spiritual Director, and for clergy an advanced ordination as Mashpia Ruchani.
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About the ALEPH Ordination Program
Built upon the pioneering work of the visionary catalyst of Jewish Renewal, and ALEPH founder, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l. The ALEPH Ordination Program trains rabbis, cantors, rabbinic pastors and mashpi’im (spiritual directors) to be community builders, teachers, spiritual leaders, counselors, liturgists and artists of the Jewish tradition.
Engagement in Jewish Renewal’s unique approaches to spirituality, celebration, prayer, learning and tikkun olam brings ALEPH students and graduates to the forefront of Jewish creative life.
Together, in our learning and our practice, we re-enliven our personal connection to the Divine by infusing ancient Jewish wisdom with a modern, egalitarian and socially progressive consciousness. Our work reflects our deep desire to heal our planet, to build new models of community, to live a deeply spiritual Jewish life, to serve the Jewish people and to reach towards God.
The AOP Academic Community
20
Years and
Counting
282
Alumni
212
Rabbis
33
Cantors
37
Rabbinic
Pastors
Blending Transformative Education with Time-Honored Tradition
Accepting Applications for Fall 2025 Due January 15, 2025
The application process for the ALEPH program is unlike the application process common in most academic institutions. The first step is to request information by completing a form for our Admissions Officer. Meet Hazzan Diana Brewer – Dean of Students, ALEPH Ordination Program.
Hazzan Diana Brewer
Dean of Students | Ordination Program
Reach out to our Admissions Officer
Follow these Steps to Apply
The first step is to request information by completing an inquiry form for our Admissions Officer.
If you are interested in joining our academic community, we encourage you to start by submitting this inquiry form. Click below to get more information and inquire with our admissions team.
The second step is to review the admissions material the Dean of Admissions will send to you.
The next step is to arrange an online meeting with the Dean of Admissions. After the meeting, the Dean of Admissions will provide you with a link for the admissions application.
For more information or other inquiries, please contact the Dean of Students via email at admissions@aleph-ordination.org
Step 1
Step 2
The second step is to review the admissions material the Dean of Admissions will send to you.
Step 3
The next step is to arrange an online meeting with the Dean of Admissions. After the meeting, the Dean of Admissions will provide you with a link for the admissions application.
Step 4
For more information or other inquiries, please contact the ALEPH Ordination Program Administrator via email at ordination@aleph.org
Welcome to The Seminary for the Spiritual Renewal of Judaism
The AOP offers a comprehensive curriculum of study and practice embracing both traditional and experiential learning modalities. Our students are expected to demonstrate a high level of Jewish literacy and personal integrity, and to model a life path of personal growth and self-awareness. Students completing this program are Jewish teachers, leaders, artists, healers, and spiritual guides at once empowered and compassionate. If you are interested in joining our academic community, we encourage you to start by exploring our Course Catalog.
The Course Catalog provides descriptions and requirements for the ALEPH Ordination Programs (AOP) and Course Descriptions. If you are interested in joining our academic community, we encourage you to start by downloading this Catalog.
The AOP opens a selected number of our graduate-level seminary courses to the general public. The maximum number of courses you can register for is two. You can also indicate a 2nd-choice in case the course you have chosen is full.
The AOP is opening its courses to AOP alumni to further their continued education. Alumni can enroll in any AOP course at half price.
The AOP Costs Worksheet for Rabbinic, Rabbinic Pastor, or Cantorial Program is designed to provide a general overview and for personal use. Limited need-based financial aid is available