Rabbi Tarfon and the Elders were reclining in the loft of the house of Nit’za in Lod, this question
was asked of them: Is study greater or is action greater?
Rabbi Tarfon answered and said: Action is greater.
Rabbi Akiva answered and said: Study is greater.
Everyone answered and said: Study is greater, as study leads to action.
תַּלְמּוד גָּדֹול , שֶׁהַּתַּלְמּוד מֵבִיא לִידֵי מַּעֲשֶׁה.
–B. Kidushin 40b
RRC students experience intentional synergies between coursework and fieldwork. Even as classes in Jewish studies and in practical rabbinics prepare students for their internships, experiences in the field enrich and enliven studies within the classroom. Through their internships, RRC students gain valuable experience and make an impact on the Jewish and wider world before graduating.
The William H. Fern Program in Field Education offers paid internships in a range of rabbinic settings, including congregations, college campuses, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations of all kinds. RRC faculty and administrators have their fingers on the pulse of the rabbinate and seek to expand work opportunities as new professional trends emerge. Faculty work with students to explore rabbinic opportunities and help them discern their own path.
Rabbi Rayna Grossman (RRC ’17), Director of Field Education, touts the flexibility RRC’s internship opportunities.
Throughout the course of study, students balance their time between classroom study and on-the-job training. In the final two years of the program, students engage in immersive and intensive internships, supported by ongoing supervision and coursework led by rabbis and expert Jewish professionals. Students in immersive internships can attend classes remotely, enabling geographic flexibility.
Group and individual supervision enable students to reflect on and learn from their field experience. Mentors and peers facilitate students’ reflections on the theological, professional and personal aspects of work experience.
Selected Recent Internships
Congregational Placements
In congregational internships, students experience the day-to-day rhythm of the congregational rabbinate and learn how to lead flourishing communities. Students play meaningful roles leading services, offering pastoral care, and creating programing.
Sample of recent placements:
Am Haskalah, Bethlehem, Pa.
CBST Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, New York, N.Y.
Germantown Jewish Centre, Philadelphia, Pa.
Kehilat HaNahar, New Hope, Pa.
Kol Tzedek, Philadelphia, Pa.
Kolot Chayenu, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mishkan Shalom, Philadelphia, Pa.
Malkhut, Astoria, N.Y.
Nahalat Shalom, Albuquerque, N.M.
Havurah Shalom, Portland, Ore.
Ohev Shalom, Wallingford, Pa.
Mishkan Ha’am, Hastings-On-Hudson, N.Y.
Hill Havurah, Washington, D.C.
Campus Placements
Campus interns build expertise in engaging students, fostering Jewish presence on campus, developing leaders and strengthening Jewish student identity. Among their many experiences, students with campus Internships facilitate Jewish learning, plan and oversee programing, act as a pastoral presence and lead social justice organizing.
Sample of recent placements:
Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa.
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
West Chester University, West Chester, Pa.
Haverford College, Havertown, Pa.
University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education Placements
In chaplaincy internships, students learn to provide pastoral care for a wide range of populations. Some students serve in traditional chaplaincy settings such as hospitals and senior living communities. Increasingly, community organizations also look for Jewish chaplains who can tend to the needs of underserved populations such as immigrant communities, people living with HIV-AIDS and boarding home residents. We offer course credit for Clinical Pastoral Education.
Rabbinical student Anne Prusky on why RRC’s approach to CPE training drew her to the college.
Sample of recent Chaplaincy placements:
Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, N.Y.
Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa.
CHOP, Philadelphia
San Francisco Night Ministry, San Francisco, Calif.
CPE Sites:
Lions Gate Retirement Center, Voorhees, N.J.
Spring Mill Pointe, Philadelphia. Pa.
Organizational Placements
Interns at Jewish community organizations plan and implement programming and education, engage in community organizing and provide spiritual support for activists. At the same time, they observe and experience firsthand the many facets of non-profit leadership.
Sample of recent placements:
Dayenu (remote)
Tribe 12, Philadelphia, Pa.
Interfaith Philadelphia (Interfaith community work for in Philly)
Never Again Action (Social Justice – remote)
Poor Peoples Campaign Faith Leaders team (Philadelphia)
Bruchim (Remote)
Educational/Camp Placements
In education internships, students lead religious school or adult education classes and tutor b’nei mitzvah students. Frequently, our students serve as synagogue education directors, provide family education or oversee children’s services. In summer camp settings, students play an integral part in cultivating intentional, creative and joyful communities – leading services, planning activities and serving as a pastoral presence.
Sample of recent placements:
Beth David Reform Congregation, Gladwyne, Pa.
Germangtown Jewish Centre, Philadelphia, Pa.
Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun, Erdenheim, Pa.
Ohev Shalom, Wallingford, Pa.
Kol Tzedek, Philadelphia Pa.
Camp Havaya, South Sterling, Pa.
Ramah Day Camp, Melrose Park, Pa.
