North America
Three Years
 

“This was the best study experience of my life. What I teach is totally different now.” - Rabbi Ed Farber, Beth Torah Adath Yeshurun, Miami
 
Goal
 

Rabbinic Leadership Initiative is an intensive three-year program that trains an elite cadre of North American rabbis to serve as religious and educational leaders in their communities. The program enhances rabbis’ abilities to respond to contemporary challenges and communicate the vitality and relevance of the Jewish tradition to their congregants.

 

The fourth three-year cycle of the Rabbinic Leadership Initiative began in Summer 2010. Click here to read about the RLI 3 Graduation Ceremony and to read a talk given at the ceremony by a RLI 3 graduate.

 

Program participants deepen their knowledge of the central ideas of Judaism in the fields of ethics, theology, philosophy and politics, while expanding their skills in leading synagogue and community life. In addition, with the guidance of leading thinkers they address central political, moral and spiritual issues facing the modern State of Israel, strengthening their ability to advocate on behalf of the Jewish state. Pluralistic in composition as well as in content, Rabbinic Leadership Initiative works with rabbis of all denominations, promoting unity and strengthening interdenominational dialogue.
 
With more than 75 graduates to date and 27 participants in the program's fourth cycle, Rabbinic Leadership Initiative's unique pluralistic message is disseminated to hundreds of thousands of families across the North American continent. Along with private donor support the program receives support from numerous Jewish federations that, in recognition of Rabbinic Leadership Initiative's benefit to their communities, sponsor as many as three rabbis in each of the program's cohorts.

 

Structure

 

Rabbinic Leadership Initiative takes place both in Israel and in rabbis' home communities. Participants spend four months studying in Israel - one month each summer for four consecutive years - and an additional week each winter for three consecutive years. During the year, participants engage in eight hours of weekly study, both with local rabbinic partners and through videoconference classes with leading Hartman Institute scholars. This unique structure enables rabbis to engage in a comprehensive, long-term learning program while maintaining direct control over their professional responsibilities.

 

Target Population

 

Rabbinic Leadership Initiative recruits synagogue rabbis who:

  1. Occupy leadership roles in urban centers of North American Jewish life;
  2. Demonstrate a record of achievement in their community;
  3. Are dedicated to ongoing intellectual growth as well as willing to undertake a serious three-year commitment.

Recruiting two or more participants from the same city for each cycle, the program ensures that rabbis taking part in the program have a local partner with whom to study and initiate related activities outside of the immediate framework of the program.

 

Faculty

 

Rabbinic Leadership Initiative's teaching staff includes leading Shalom Hartman Institute scholars such as Rabbi Prof. David Hartman, Rabbi Dr. Donniel Hartman, Prof. Moshe Halbertal, Rabbi Dr. Ariel Picard, Rani Jaeger, and Biti Roi, in addition to key figures in world Jewry, such as Rabbi Dr. David Ellenson and Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller.

 

Click here to view list of 2001-2004 Fellows.

Click here to view list of 2004-2007 Fellows.

Click here to view a list and photographs of 2007-2010 Fellows.

 

 

 

 
 
Winter rabbinic seminar a success
The week-long winter seminar of 27 participants in the third cycle of the Shalom Hartman Institute Rabbinic Leadership Initiative program was characterized by intensive study, both in the form of havrutot (peer-based learning) and lectures by leading Hartman scholars and external lecturers
Leadership Initiative rabbis heading to Hartman Institute
When the 27 participants in the current Rabbinic Leadership Initiative program arrive at Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem soon for their first week-long winter seminar they will do more than breathe deeply of the cool, crisp Jerusalem air
Video feed of long distance learning
Video feed of long distance learning for RLI 3
Hartman Institute Graduates Third Cohort of Rabbinic Leadership Initiative
The third cohort of the Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative received their graduation certificates at a ceremony on July 5, 2010. Graduation speeches of two participating rabbis are included in this item
The Current Crisis in the Israel-United States Relationship
President Obama wants what is best for Israel and the Middle East. He is fully in favor of the “Two State Solution” for the Israelis and the Palestinians - two states for two people
The Narrow Straits of Our Lives
A difficult question about an anti-Semitic tract from a Muslim leader recalls the Midrash of the four children in the Passover Haggadah
On Monday the Rabbi Went to the Movies
Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’ is a modern-day Midrash on the Purim story. I see the Biblical Book of Esther as an ancient Jewish fable of justice and revenge
Intimate relationships: Parents and children
All we really desire is to hear words that will validate us, that we will feel the embrace of someone who loves us, that we will hear in some way: My son, My daughter, My child, My grandchild, My love. What more do any of us desire? Unconditional love, from parents, lovers, spouses, children, and from God
Is and ought for the holidays
The Yamim Noraim lead us to see statements of should and ought as moral claims that extend beyond past history. We might hear such comments as indications of our responsible aspirations and our hopeful desires. Should and ought can be motivational terms
Shofar calls remind us to be present, remember
We remember, and in turn we ask God to remember US with compassion and mercy. Zochrenu l’chaim, we pray. Remember us to life. Yom Hazikaron is the Day of Memory. We will spend the next 10 days remembering our own deeds and transgressions, until the final blast of the shofar on Yom Kippur shakes the heavens with our plea. May we all be inscribed for another year in the Book of Life
Remembering: Yizkor’s two types of tears
Below is a meditation on the Yizkor prayers written by Rabbi Steven Moskowitz, a member of the Hartman Institute’s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative
NEW! Rabbinic students seminar begins Fall 2009
Come and study in Jerusalem during your time here with fellow rabbinic students from other movements
Highways, byways, and pathways
We are rabbis who labor on the ways of derekh even as we search for paths of orakh. We travel together with our community on life’s highways and remind people to slow down long enough to appreciate the access roads nearby
Is pluralism a Jewish word?
Recent protests in Jerusalem against opening a parking garage on Shabbat and the ongoing struggle by Israel’s rabbinate over control of conversions beg the question of pluralism: Does Judaism tolerate more than one halakhic opinion?
Ritual creation for Yom Ha’atzmaut
By creating mitzvot for Yom Ha’atzmaut, and placing it on religious calendar, we acknowledge ongoing responsibility to see it through lens of the Divine-human encounter on an ongoing basis
A new beat for ‘Let My People Go’
Josh Zweiback, member of the Rabbinic Leadership Initiative, rocks the house with his band Mah Tovu`s rendition of the Pesach story
Book review: ‘Judaism and Challenges of Modern Life’
The book challenges you to look at Jewish life in the modern age both in a democratic State of Israel and in the Diaspora
Yair Eldan
Yair Eldan lecture - March 23, 2009
Creating a space for God’s presence
From Illinois to Jerusalem to Tbilisi to Moscow and back, rabbi finds presence of God in Jewish communities
A Time for Prayer, a Time for Action
Prayer is a natural and praiseworthy response to crisis. And yet, as Moses discovered, crisis calls for decisive human action. Keep moving. Get on with your life. Confront life`s challenges and move forward
Rabbis arrive for Leadership Initiative winter seminar
The rabbis from all across North America will once again come together at Hartman Institute for an intensive week-long program of lectures, study in havruta and peer teaching
War on Hamas a time to stay close to one another and to our family in Israel
The big picture is that the Jewish people have the right to defend ourselves. We have the right to live without rockets landing on our heads
Memories of the future
Let our Israeli friends, cousins, our extended mishpacha, know that we have not forgotten them
At Hanukkah, remember, each of us can make a difference
Whether it is on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Israel or throughout the world, whether it is for those suffering in Darfur, whether it is in our own neighborhood for people who need assistance and support, we can make a difference
Riches by the Pocketful
In the United States, a church can help sustain a synagogue. Christians can say to Jews, “Come, fill our home with your melodies”
God is a parent on a learning curve
The beginning of the Torah teaches how God lives with the mistakes of God’s children. God lives with things not being perfect. We too have to live with life not going the right way; imperfection is built in to the system
Conversion crisis a violation by haredim of God’s teaching
The haredi rabbinate in Israel pushes stringencies in the law beyond what is necessary and the tendency of Israel is to accept decisions that have created a moment in Jewish history where our values are being destroyed and our people are being torn asunder
Obama and the Jews: An inside perspective
Rabbi Samuel Gordon was deeply involved in building Jewish support for the candidacy of Barack Obama for president. This piece offers insight into Obama and fascinating details about Obama’s ‘Jewish history’
Forty years after RFK death, a new beginning?
Whether Obama wins or McCain, whether it is a Democrat or Republican Congress, we know that the baton is being passed. Obama’s nomination was, for some , the end of 40 years in the wilderness
How is this knight different from all other knights?
I stood with a kippah on my head and a shofar in hand before 700 Roman Catholics assembled for their annual meeting. They were knights and ladies of the Western USA Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
The financial meltdown and the fragility of the human condition
On the Days of Awe everything, all that we own and all that we are, hangs in the balance. Here today, gone tomorrow
Israel: Happiness built on ruins
There may very well be untold ruins below our feet. But there is no ruin in the air. Jerusalem is happiness built on ruins. 60 years later Israel waves a finger at fate. Israel writes Jewish history each and every day
First day, last commandment
As we fulfil the mitzvah of writing a Torah we also become part owners of the Torah; through this act we “acquire Torah,” add joy and bring holiness to our lives
Rani Jaeger discusses famous Israeli poem about the sacrifices expected in war
Shalom Hartman Institute Fellow Rani Jaeger analyzes Natan Alterman’s famous poem, “Silver Platter” in this special video lecture
Gathering storm casts shadow over Israel, Diaspora
We are facing a long war that initially targets Israel, but endangers much of democratic civilization. Our efforts on behalf of Israel are also important in the struggle to maintain the vitality of democratic institutions, the legitimacy of free speech, and the open expression of culture
A fifth cup for the future
Israel pours for us a blended fifth cup of wine, for while it has provided survival, security and stability for our people, it is also full of poverty, pain, and the challenge of making peace
Rabbinic Leadership Initiative participants - 2004-2007
This is the list of the second cohort of North American rabbis who have completed the Shalom Hartman Institute`s Rabbinic Leadership Initiative three year program from 2004-2007
Rabbinic Leadership Initiative participants - 2001-2004
These rabbis from North America were the first group to complete the three-year Shalom Hartman Institute Rabbinic Leadership Initative program, from 2001-2004
Winter rabbinic seminar a success
The hope and expectation is for these rabbis to transport this energy back to their communities in North America, and infuse them in turn with similar inspiration
 
 
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