The Rabbinic Training Academy is delighted to announce the graduation of Cohort
Gimmel (3rd) comprising of three couples, September 2021-July 2022, and Cohort Daled
(4th) consisting of five couples, September 2022-July 2023.
The Rabbinic Training Academy is a 12-month course for newly qualified rabbinic couples
and religious community leaders, in order to mentor them through their first rabbinic
positions. The Academy is, at its essence, about creating a genuine paradigm shift in how
our rabbis lead their communities.
The course aims to point future rabbinic leadership teams towards being open-minded
and human, humble and caring and to be truly sensitive on how to provide spiritual
guidance and support in an ever changing and complex world. The goal is that their
leadership will contribute towards a healthier Jewish community and, ultimately, a better
world.
Topics covered included (but are not limited to) Practical Rabbinics, Professional
Development, Current Issues, Politics, Different Cultures, History, Economics and Finance,
Personal Challenges, Wellbeing, Modes of Therapy, and Outreach.
The graduates are enjoying success in a variety of rabbinic and leadership roles. These
include United Synagogue pulpits in Woodside Park, Northwood and Richmond, as well
as other communities in Catford and Bromley, Loughton, Epping Forest and Dublin.
The graduation event, which took place on Tuesday 11th July at Chabad of Hampstead
Garden Suburb and was chaired by Rabbi Akiva Rosenblatt, consisted of a speech by
guest speakers Dayan Zobin and Sheikh Babikir. The certificate distribution ceremony was
presented by Rabbi Chaim Rapoport and closing remarks given by Programme CEO,
Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt.
‘This has been a wonderful cohort. We have learnt together. We have grown together. We
have laughed together. We have cried together. It has been, at the same time, a busy and
intense year – but also a relaxed and peaceful year. As the group has settled down, so has
the feeling in the room. I have seen our discussions develop over the last twelve months
and the conversation has become richer and deeper. Credit to all of you rabbis and
rebbetzens for that. You have come as students – ready to learn and grow. Ready to listen.
Ready to put aside egos and opinions and look for truth instead.’ – Rabbi Shaul
Rosenblatt, CEO
‘The RTA has a unique breadth and openness, which epitomise the special style of the
programme. It is such a tremendous contribution to rabbinical training”. – Rabbi Yoni
Wieder, Rabbi of Orthodox Jewish Community in Ireland and Dublin Hebrew
Congregation