The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) is a religious-education and social-advocacy institution based in New York City. Founded in the late 19th century, JTS provides instruction to Jewish clergy and laity, organizes religious and cultural immersion programs in Israel, and preserves a large collection of Jewish scholarly writings. The seminary also promotes inter-religious ecumenism and Jewish socio-political activism. ¹

The JTS appointed its first female dean in May 2022. A previous dean of the seminary endorsed the blessing of same-sex marriages in 2011. ^{2 3}

The JTS receives funding from a number of prominent Jewish organizations, including the American Jewish Committee, which is notable for demanding government action against speech it sees as antisemitic, and the left-of-center Jewish Communal Fund. ^{4 5} U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and a number of New York City Democratic officials have endorsed the work of the seminary and its faculty. ⁶

Background

The is one of the primary educational institutions representing the Conservative movement within Judaism, which the seminary describes as a “blend” of “fidelity to Jewish tradition” and “responses to modernity.” The leading congregational association in the movement is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). ⁷

The stated mission of the USCJ is to support synagogues and other related establishments across the United States, in Israel, and elsewhere. In addition, the association advocates that political leaders in the United States adopt policies which it perceives to be beneficial for the state of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. ⁸

Despite its nominal conservatism, the USCJ Jewish Theological Seminary of America includes groups which endorse same-sex relationships and gender reassignment, as well as those with more-lax adherence to Jewish religious law. USCJ head Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal has described his congregants as “passionate centrists” and downplayed the centrality of Jewish religious identity. ⁹ This has created controversy within the movement, especially over marriages between Jews and non-Jews. Same-sex marriages are another contentious issue, with some rabbis introducing modified versions of wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples regardless of traditional Jewish law. ¹⁰

Controversies

In 2018, the Forward reported that the Jewish Theological Seminary of America had sold some of its land to developers in order to pay for the construction of a new library and residence hall. According to the Forward, the JTS had neglected to reach out to residents and offer assistance to cushion the impact that new properties would have on the neighborhood. The Forward reported that community leaders had struggled to get the seminary’s attention, and that they believed the institution was denying the development’s effect on cost of living and other quality of life measures. The Forward contrasted the perceived mentality of the JTS with that of Union Theological Seminary, a liberal Protestant institution also based in New York City, which ended up offering $5 million in community grants after it completed a similar property deal in 2015. ¹¹

JTS has received criticism from some Jewish activists for allegedly not doing enough to combat criticism of Israel and Zionism. A June 2021 article at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency argued that the seminary needed to be more assertive about tying support for Jews to support for the Israeli state and Zionist ideology, and about defending all three against perceived antisemitic speech. ¹² While the JTS promotes the “centrality of Israel to Jewish peoplehood,” it has criticized Israeli government policy in the past. ^{13 14} It was one of many leading Conservative Jewish organizations that signed a letter opposing judicial nomination and legal-procedure changes in Israel that were proposed by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The signers claimed the proposals undermined Israel’s democracy and would negatively impact the nation’s relations with the world. ¹⁵

Programs

Jewish Theological Seminary of America offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as a school for clergy and a music education program. The seminary also provides instruction in Hebrew and hosts a center for inter-religious ecumenism. ¹⁶ Its educational programming includes a center in Israel and opportunities for students to visit Israel. ¹⁷

Leadership

Shuly Rubin Schwartz is the dean of the JTS and the first woman to hold the position. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) offered remarks praising her and the other seminary faculty at her appointment ceremony. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander (D) was also present at the ceremony. ¹⁸

Gordon Tucker is a previous dean of the JTS and a Conservative rabbi. Tucker has endorsed allowing marriages of same-sex partners in synagogues and implemented the practice within his own congregation. ¹⁹

Funding

In 2022, the Jewish Theological Seminary received more than $13 million in contributions and grants, and the seminary’s net assets totaled more than $272 million. ²⁰ Supporters of the JTS have included the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Communal Fund. ^{21 22} The Charles H. Revson Foundation has also awarded several grants of at least $500,000 to the seminary. ^{23 24}

1. “About JTS.” JTS. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.jtsa.edu/about-jts/
2. Jackie Hajdenberg. “After 2-year delay, Shuly Rubin Schwartz inaugurated as JTS’ first woman chancellor.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. May 18, 2022. Accessed July 18, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2022/05/18/religion/2-years-after-she-was-picked-to-lead-jts-shuly-rubin-schwartz-inaugurated-as-first-woman-chancellor
3. Joseph Berger. “Among Conservative Rabbis, a Wide Disagreement Over Same-Sex Marriage.” The New York Times. August 1, 2011. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/nyregion/conservative-rabbis-disagree-on-same-sex-marriage.html
4. American Jewish Committee 2019 Internal Revenue Service Form 990. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.ajc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2020-09/AJC%20Form%20990%202019.pdf
5. Jewish Communal Fund 2016 Internal Revenue Service Form 990. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://jcfny.org/app/uploads/2018/04/JCF-FY-2017-Form-990.pdf?source=post_page—————————
6. Jackie Hajdenberg. “After 2-year delay, Shuly Rubin Schwartz inaugurated as JTS’ first woman chancellor.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. May 18, 2022. Accessed July 18, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2022/05/18/religion/2-years-after-she-was-picked-to-lead-jts-shuly-rubin-schwartz-inaugurated-as-first-woman-chancellor
7. “Conservative Judaism.” JTS. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.jtsa.edu/conservative-judaism/
8. ^[1]“About.” United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://uscj.org/about
9. David Rullo, “USCJ CEO views movement as ‘passionate centrists.’” Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. September 12, 2022. Accessed December 4, 2022. https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/uscj-ceo-views-movement-as-passionate-centrists/
10. Debra Nussbaum Cohen. “More Conservative rabbis struggle with interfaith marriage ban — and some are flouting it.” The Jewish News of Northern California. May 13, 2022. Accessed December 4, 2022. https://jweekly.com/2022/05/13/more-conservative-rabbis-struggle-with-interfaith-marriage-ban-and-some-are-flouting-it/
11. Ari Feldman. “JTS Made $100M In A Development Deal. Will It Give Some Money To Its Neighbors?” Jewish Daily Forward. July 18, 2018. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://forward.com/news/405868/jts-made-100m-in-a-development-deal-will-it-give-some-money-to-its/
12. Gil Troy. “When it comes to anti-Israel attacks on Jews, it’s time to name the enemy.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. June 16, 2021. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2021/06/16/ideas/when-it-comes-to-anti-israel-attacks-on-jews-its-time-to-name-the-enemy
13. ^[1]“JTS and Israel.” JTS. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.jtsa.edu/jts-and-israel/
14. “Conservative Judaism movement criticizes Israeli legal reforms.” STL Jewish Light. February 21, 2023. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://stljewishlight.org/top-story/conservative-judaism-movement-criticizes-israeli-legal-reforms/
15. “Conservative Judaism movement criticizes Israeli legal reforms.” STL Jewish Light. February 21, 2023. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://stljewishlight.org/top-story/conservative-judaism-movement-criticizes-israeli-legal-reforms/
16. “Academics and Schools.” JTS. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.jtsa.edu/academics/
17. “JTS and Israel.” JTS. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://www.jtsa.edu/jts-and-israel/
18. ^[1]Jackie Hajdenberg. “After 2-year delay, Shuly Rubin Schwartz inaugurated as JTS’ first woman chancellor.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. May 18, 2022. Accessed July 18, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2022/05/18/religion/2-years-after-she-was-picked-to-lead-jts-shuly-rubin-schwartz-inaugurated-as-first-woman-chancellor
19. ^[1]Joseph Berger. “Among Conservative Rabbis, a Wide Disagreement Over Same-Sex Marriage.” The New York Times. August 1, 2011. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/nyregion/conservative-rabbis-disagree-on-same-sex-marriage.html
20. ^[1]“Consolidated Financial Statements, Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, Internal Control and Compliance and Independent Auditor’s Reports.” The Jewish Theological Seminary of America. June 30, 2022. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_audit/18914220221
21. American Jewish Committee 2019 Internal Revenue Service Form 990. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://www.ajc.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2020-09/AJC%20Form%20990%202019.pdf
22. Jewish Communal Fund 2016 Internal Revenue Service Form 990. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://jcfny.org/app/uploads/2018/04/JCF-FY-2017-Form-990.pdf?source=post_page—————————
23. “Jewish Theological Seminary of America.” Charles H. Revson Foundation. Accessed June 18, 2023. https://revsonfoundation.org/grants/jewish-theological-seminary-of-america/
24. Jacob Berkman. “Revson foundation gives $500k to JTS for pastoral education center.” Jewish Telegraphic Agency. July 6, 2009. Accessed June 19, 2023. https://www.jta.org/2009/07/06/united-states/revson-foundation-gives-500k-to-jts-for-pastoral-education-center