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Conservative Judaism/distance learning smicha program

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Expert: - 1/28/2011


Question
dear rabbi lerner,

could  you recommend me  any distance  learning smicha programs  which are serious  and comitted ?
i am from paris and i would like to study for rabinate .
but because of my busy work i can not take so much time of .

shabbat shalom

dan

Answer
Dear Dan,


Thanks for writing, and I would urge you to contact Rabbi Chaim Wiener in London - "Rabbi Chaim Weiner" <weiner@masorti.org.uk> - or Rabbi Andrew Sacks in Israel "Rabbi Andrew Sacks" <raisrael@jtsa.edu> about RELIABLE distance education for Rabbinic ordination.

You might consult with the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem - http://www.conservativeyeshiva.org/ - which does offer distance learning.

A major element in a responsible and reliable program for Rabbinic education is most often a community of students/learners, in my opinion.


I do want to caution you about distance learning and the reliability of such a program.

I wish you well with your search for an education. I hope that this has been helpful, and these persons and institution can guide you further.

Sincerely

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Expertise

Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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