Mission
We are North America’s premier institution of Jewish higher education and the professional leadership development center for Reform Judaism, building progressive Judaism in North America, Israel, and around the globe.
Our Mission
- Studying the great issues of Jewish life, history, and thought with an open, egalitarian, inclusive, and pluralistic spirit;
- Educating innovative, visionary clergy and professionals who embody the sustaining values, responsibilities, practices, and texts of Jewish tradition to inspire future generations; and
- Advancing the critical study of Judaism and Jewish culture in accordance with the highest standards of modern academic scholarship.
HUC-JIR At A Glance
HUC-JIR educates leaders for service to the Reform Movement and the Jewish people worldwide as rabbis, cantors, educational leaders, nonprofit professionals, and pastoral counselors, and offers graduate programs to scholars and clergy of all faiths.
Our Students
With 400 full-time students and 800 part-time education students, graduate studies students, and undergraduate students at USC and Xavier University, HUC-JIR has the largest number and most diverse students of all Jewish seminaries in North America.
Our Faculty of Mentors
Our world-class faculty are transforming the contemporary understanding of Jewish text, pedagogy, and community building, offering nurturing mentorship, a low faculty-to-student ratio, and daily guidance and support from some of Judaism’s best minds.
Our Alumni Leading Globally
Our 4,000 active alumni lead:
- Over 1,000 North American Reform congregations and Progressive synagogues in Israel and worldwide;
- National Jewish communal organizations, Israel advocacy, philanthropic foundations, Jewish startups, Hillels, and chaplaincies
Ahavat Israel
HUC-JIR is the academic leader in making the Israel experience an integral part of Jewish professional and academic training, fostering a deeper sense of identity and mutual responsibility as part of a global people.
