Individuals who become rabbis must already have lived a predominately Jewish lifestyle for at least three years, where you are involved in your Jewish community and have been close to your Jewish faith. This is especially important for Jews who have been secular or away from their faith for some time. If you are not Jewish by birth, you will need to convert to Judaism to become a Rabbi. Converting to Judaism is a major life step and should be done after much thought, as it is a serious and humbling experience. You will need to have lived a predominately Jewish lifestyle for at least one year, taken formal conversion training at a synagogue, and complete the process of Mikvah or conversion. Males must also undergo circumcision, if they are not already circumcised. [3] X Research source
Orthodox Judaism: Orthodox Judaism focuses on the traditional teaching of Jewish law and accepts the doctrine of revelation. This means that they believe the Written Law in the Hebrew Bible and the Oral Law in the Talmud was given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, and therefore, it is the everlasting and only true guide for Judaism. Orthodox Jews demonstrate unswerving loyalty to Jewish traditions and Jewish law. Conservative Judaism: Like Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Jews believe Jewish laws are sacred. But Conservative Jews believe these laws can be changed and adopted, if necessary, to suit the modern conditions of Jewish life. The Conservative movement tries to “conserve” and protect the Jewish faith but maintains that Jews are not only a religious group but also a people with a distinct culture, history, and language. Reform Judaism: Reform Judaism focuses on the importance of adapting religious life to the modern age. They view the Torah as divine inspiration but do not view it as a literal revelation that must be strictly followed. For Reform Jews, every generation has the right to accept laws and practices that are essential and adapt certain practices to fit their way of life. They believe that Jewish people are destined to teach the belief in God as well as justice, peace, and fellowship. Reconstructionist Judaism: This branch was founded by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan in the 20th century and views Judaism as evolving and part of a continuous history. Reconstructionists emphasize understanding, observing, and celebrating Jewish culture, tradition, and heritage. Secular-Humanist Judaism: This branch is based in Detroit and views Judaism as a living culture and a way of life. It offers an alternative to traditional or conventional Judaism and modern ways to practice Jewish commitment.
You may need to be willing to relocate for your training as the only accredited rabbinical schools in the United States are located in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, and Cincinnati. You can also do an online training program with Aleph, the Alliance for Jewish Renewal, in their five year distance program. However, doing an online program may make you less appealing to congregations once you graduate and look for a position as a rabbi.
Many programs require a four to five year commitment, and you may need to spend $20,000-$30,000 a year for your training, depending on your chosen branch of Judaism. You may need to take out financial aid or loans to pay for your rabbinical training, a common practice among aspiring rabbis. If you are an Orthodox Jew, you may not to take out financial aid to pay for your schooling as many Orthodox rabbinical training programs are given free tuition. The typical rabbi curriculum includes study of the Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, Jewish history, and Hebrew language. You will also need to take psychology courses, community outreach courses, public speaking courses, and teaching courses. At the end of your studies, you will become ordained as a rabbi.
You may be vetted by the service to confirm you are an accredited rabbi with the proper training and you may need to show proof of your accreditation.
Keep in mind your salary as a rabbi is paid for by the congregation but some shuls may only be able to pay you part time. You may need to support yourself with other community work or teaching work to supplement your income. [10] X Research source Many congregations are interested in younger rabbis who have energy and passion for the position, and as a way to appeal to younger Jews. This does not mean that older rabbis may not be hired by a shul, just that preference may be shown for younger rabbis.
You may end up working in a Jewish organization, a Jewish community center, in a hospital or in a chaplain. Be open to positions outside of the congregation, as the demand for these roles may be higher and you may have a greater chance of landing a position in these areas.
