Applicants who wish to study in the rabbinic or the cantorial program should fulfill the following requirements:

  • A statement providing specific and substantial information on the applicant’s motivation to join the program;
  • Academic qualifications; proof of the academic prerequisites having been fulfilled; a university entrance qualification valid for Germany (Abitur or a subject-specific university entrance exam);
  • Willingness and ability to grow and develop in line with the program of study;
  • Personal integrity and a high level of religious engagement;
  • Commitment to Judaism in the modern world;
  • Emotional and intellectual maturity;
  • Resilience and ability to cope with a demanding workload;
  • The desire to participate in Jewish fellowship and community.

Specific criteria:

  • Applicants must be Jewish.
  • Candidates who converted to Judaism should be able to demonstrate at least five years of participation in Jewish life after their conversion with a recognized Beth Din (Batei Din of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Judaism are all recognized);
  • Applicants should have reached the age of 21 upon submission of the application;
  • Sufficient knowledge of Hebrew (level Gimel preferred, or at a minimum good reading abilities);
  • Willingness to participate in a study program lasting approximately one year in Israel;
  • Prospective students should be able to provide evidence of active participation in a Jewish religious community already during the period prior to their application.
  • They should lead active Jewish lives, as reflected in their personal and moral conduct as well as in their participation in the work and activities of a Jewish community or group.

The following are key criteria for active participation in Jewish life:

  • Membership in a local liberal, Reform, Reconstructionist, Masorti, or Orthodox Synagogue;
  • Regular participation in Shabbat and holiday services;
  • Applicants must take Jewish tradition seriously also in their private lives;
  • Participation in the educational offerings of the local synagogue or other Jewish institutions;
  • Social engagement under the auspices of the Jewish Community or similar institutions.
  • Applicants for the cantorial program must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the fields of music theory and vocal performance.

German language ability:

  • Foreign applicants must provide evidence of German language ability.
  • Knowledge of the German language at a level sufficient for admission to a German university is required.
  • Non-native speakers of German can demonstrate this level of proficiency by submitting evidence that they have passed the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH, German Language Test for University Admission), the Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (Test DaF, Test for German as a Foreign Language), or a comparable diploma from the Goethe-Institut.
  • Upon beginning the program, students should have mastered German at the B2 level or higher.
  • Applicants are advised to begin learning the German language as early as possible.

To get a first impression which lectures and classes we offer, have a look at our course catalogue and lecture timetable.plication deadline for non-german speakers is October 31 of each calendar year. Application deadline for german speakers is March 31th of each calendar year. The study program starts each following winter semester.

Please contact us for more information or any questions you may have:

Susann Guran MA
Study Coordinator of the Rabbinic School
Phone: +49 (331) 977 159 817
e-Mail: guran[ät]geiger-edu[dot]de

Dvorah Themal
Study Coordinator of the Cantorial School
phone: +49 (331) 977 159 822
e-Mail: themal[ät]geiger-edu[dot]de