Jewish Theological Seminary of America

The Jewish Theological Seminary of America

</table> </div> </div> The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, known in the Jewish community simply as JTS, is one of the academic and spiritual centers of Conservative Judaism. Along with the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, it is one the movement's main rabbinical seminaries. It takes its name and basic ideology from the no longer extant Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau.

Inscription on Seal	"והסנה איננו אכל" (Ve-Hasneh Ainenu Uchal "And the Bush was not consumed") -Exodus 3:2
Established	1886
School type	Private
Chancellor	Dr. Ismar Schorsch (Until June 30, 2006) From July 1, 2006 until June 30, 2007 TBD <p> Dr. Arnold Eisen, Acting Chancellor (from July 1, 2007)</td> </tr>
Location	New York City, New York, USA
Campus	Urban
Homepage	www.jtsa.edu

Contents 1 University 2 The Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau 3 Positive-Historical Judaism in America 4 Notable Faculty 5 Notable alumni 6 External links and references 7 See also

[edit] University

The Jewish Theological Seminary is comprised of five schools: Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, The Graduate School, The William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education, H.L. Miller Cantorial School and College of Jewish Music, and The Rabbinical School. The latter four schools are graduate schools.

[edit] The Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau

Rabbi Zecharias Frankel (1801-1875) at one time was in the traditional wing of the nascent Reform Judaism movement. After the second Reform rabbinic conference (1845, Frankfurt, Germany) he resigned after coming to believe that their positions were exceedingly radical. In 1854 he became the head of a new rabbinical school, the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau. In his magnum opus Darkhei HaMishnah (Ways of the Mishnah) Rabbi Frankel amassed scholarly support which showed that Jewish law was not static, but rather had always developed in response to changing conditions. He called his approach towards Judaism 'Positive-Historical', which meant that one should accept Jewish law and tradition as normative, yet one must be open to changing and developing the law in the same historical fashion that Judaism has always historically developed.

[edit] Positive-Historical Judaism in America

About this time in America, Rabbi Sabato Morais championed the Conservative reaction to American Reform. At one time Rabbi Morais had been a voice for moderation within the coalition of Reformers. He had opposed the more radical changes, but was open to moderate changes that would not offend traditional sensibilities. After the Reform movement published the Pittsburgh Platform, Rabbi Morais recognized the futility of his efforts and began the creation of a new rabbinical school in New York City. He was soon joined by Rabbi Alexander Kohut and Rabbi Bernard Drachman, both of whom had received semicha (rabbinic ordination) at Rabbi Frankel's Breslau seminary. They shaped the curriculum and philosophy of the new school after Rabbi Frankel's seminary.

In 1902, Professor Solomon Schechter assumed presidency of JTS. In a series of papers he articulated an ideology for the nascent movement. In 1913 he presided over the creation of the United Synagogue of America. (The name was changed in 1991 to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.)

Prominent professors at the Seminary were such luminaries as Saul Lieberman, Alexander Marx, Louis Ginzberg and Louis Finkelstein and others as well.

Between 1940 and 1985, the Jewish Theological Seminary produced a radio and television show called "The Eternal Light." The show aired on Sunday afternoons, featuring such social luminaries as Chaim Potok, Gene Wilder and Elie Wiesel. In accordance with Jewish law (and to differentiate its programs from other faith-based shows) broadcasts did not involve preaching or prayer, but rather drew from historical fiction in producing rich drama that focused on social issues. The broadcasts explored Jewish holidays and the nature of Jewish faith and life, but were also widely accessible to persons of any faith.

[edit] Notable Faculty

• Abraham Joshua Heschel
• Solomon Schechter
• Mordechai Kaplan
• Neil Gillman
• Saul Lieberman
• Joel Roth
• Ismar Schorsch
• Gerson Cohen
• Cyrus Adler
• Louis Ginsberg
• Louis Finkelstein
• David G. Roskies
• Judith Hauptman
• Raymond Scheindlin
• Alan Mintz

[edit] Notable alumni

• Joseph H. Hertz, British Chief Rabbi and Author; first graduate of JTS
• Gertrude Himmelfarb
• Midge Decter, conservative thinker
• Judith Hauptman, feminist Talmudic scholar
• Steve Hofstetter, Comedian/Radio Personality (attended for five semesters)
• Norman Podhoretz, former Editor, Commentary magazine
• Dr. David Gordis, President of Hebrew College
• Dr. Jacob Neusner, scholar of Rabbinics at Bard College
• Dr. Arthur Green, scholar of kabbalah and mysticism at Brandeis University and Hebrew College
• Dr. Daniel Boyarin, scholar of Rabbinics at UC Berkley

[edit] External links and references

• Jewish Theological Seminary Official Website
• Neil Gillman's book "Conservative Judaism: The New Century" The origin of Conservative Judaism
• Frankel's essay "On changes in Judaism" is on-line at: Frankel's understanding of Judaism

[edit] See also

• Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau
• Jüdisch-Theologisches Seminar
• Conservative Judaism
• Rabbinical Assembly
• United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
• Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano [1]

Conservative Judaism
Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies - Jewish Theological Seminary of America - Rabbinical Assembly - Conservative Halakha - Committee on Jewish Law and Standards - Conservative responsa - United Synagogue Youth - Kadima - Ravnet - Solomon Schechter Day School Association - University of Judaism - Masorti - Camp Ramah - Koach -

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