Academy for Jewish Religion (New York)

Since its founding in 1956 as a rabbinical school, The Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR or The Academy) has been at the forefront of pluralistic rabbinic and cantorial training. Located in Yonkers, New York, two miles north of New York City, its graduates and students serve both movement-affiliated and non-affiliated congregations in North America and around the world.

The Academy for Jewish Religion was founded in 1956 as a rabbinical school. Initially called The Academy for Liberal Judaism (and then The Academy for Higher Jewish Learning), it was granted a charter to ordain rabbis and instruct Jewish leaders by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Renamed The Academy for Jewish Religion during the sixties, it continued to be a much needed ‘still small voice’ on the rabbinical scene.

From its inception, the Academy was inspired by Rabbi Stephen Wise’s vision to educate rabbis and other spiritual leaders for klal Yisrael, the entire Jewish community. Launched with courage and initiative by Rabbi Louis I. Newman, the Academy is indebted to many learned scholars for their superior teaching and extraordinary dedication in forming and sustaining an independent seminary. Rabbis Felix Levy, David Neiman, and Chaim Pearl, along with Professors Cyrus Gordon and Max Kadushin, gave enormous support and enthusiasm during the early years. As Dean, Rabbi Stephen Leon served with distinction and was devoted both to the institution and its students. Rabbis Robert Aronowitz, Michael Gelber, Emily Korzenik, and Albert J. Lowenberg also contributed greatly to the early administration.

In 1987, Rabbi Dr. Shohama Wiener became Executive Dean; in 1994 she was appointed President. With her knowledge and expertise in educational administration, the congregational rabbinate, and the field of spiritual guidance, she promoted a major revision of the Academy’s curriculum and attracted an enlarged and highly gifted faculty and cadre of students. Rabbi Samuel Barth joined the administration in 1991 as Dean. With his national and international education and experience, Rabbi Barth expanded the academic component of programs, as well as the Academy’s role within the Jewish academic community.

In 1992, the Academy officially added a Cantorial Program under the direction of Cantor Kenneth Cohen, gifted hazzan and spiritual leader. The cantorial program has attracted a distinguished faculty, drawn to the vision of training rabbis and cantors as partners in Jewish spiritual leadership. Others have further added their mark on the development of the program, including Hazzan Sol Zim and Hazzan Ram’n Tasat.

In 2001, Rabbi David Greenstein, Ph.D, was appointed President of AJR, and Rabbi Wiener became President Emerita. Rabbi Greenstein is an alumnus and member of the faculty of the Academy. Rabbi Greenstein later took on the position of Rosh Ha-Yeshivah until his departure in 2009. A noted scholar and teacher, Rabbi Greenstein has earned the reputation of combining the best qualities of being a Talmid Chaham (wise scholar) with the vision of progressive spiritual leadership. Rabbi Greenstein’s paintings, which are an expression of his Jewish concerns, have been exhibited through the Phyllis Weil Gallery in shows in the United States and Paris, France.

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