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'''Leo Baeck College''' is a [[rabbinical seminary]] and centre for the training of teachers in [[Jewish education]], which is based at the [[Sternberg Centre]], East End Road, in north London. It was founded in 1956 by Rabbi Dr [[Werner van der Zyl]] as the Jewish Theological College of London for the training of [[Liberal Judaism|Liberal]] and [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] rabbis. It was renamed Leo Baeck College shortly afterwards at his suggestion<ref name="AJR">{{cite journal | url=http://www.ajr.org.uk/journalpdf/1984_june.pdf | title=Obituary: Rabbi Werner van der Zyl | journal=AJR Information | publisher= [[Association of Jewish Refugees]]|year=1984 | month=June | volume=39 | issue=6 | pages=9}}</ref> in honour of his teacher, Dr [[Leo Baeck]], the inspirational twentieth century German Liberal rabbi.
'''Leo Baeck College''' is a [[rabbinical seminary]] and centre for the training of teachers in [[Jewish education]], which is based at the [[Sternberg Centre]], East End Road, in north London. It was founded by Rabbi Dr [[Werner van der Zyl]] in 1956.


Rabbinic ordinations from Leo Baeck College are recognised worldwide by the Liberal, Reform and [[Masorti]] movements. To date, Leo Baeck College has trained over 170 rabbis, its [[alumni]] serving [[List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom|Jewish communities in the United Kingdom]] and across the world. Leo Baeck College also pioneered the training of rabbis to serve the Jewish communities of the former [[Soviet Union]] and has been at the forefront of [[Interfaith dialog|Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue]] for decades. In addition to the training of rabbis, Leo Baeck College trains teachers, provides an educational consultancy for religion schools and Jewish day schools, supports the development of community leaders, and provides access to Jewish learning for all through interfaith work.
Rabbinic ordinations from Leo Baeck College are recognised worldwide by the Liberal, Reform and [[Masorti]] movements. To date, Leo Baeck College has trained over 170 rabbis, its [[alumni]] serving [[List of Jewish communities in the United Kingdom|Jewish communities in the United Kingdom]] and across the world. Leo Baeck College also pioneered the training of rabbis to serve the Jewish communities of the former [[Soviet Union]]<ref name="Romain"/> and has been at the forefront of [[Interfaith dialog|Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue]] for decades. In addition to the training of rabbis, Leo Baeck College trains teachers, provides an educational consultancy for religion schools and Jewish day schools, supports the development of community leaders, and provides access to Jewish learning for all through interfaith work.

==History==
The College was founded in 1956 as the Jewish Theological College of London for the training of [[Liberal Judaism|Liberal]] and [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] rabbis and was seen as a successor organisation to the [[Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums]] in [[Berlin]] and the [[Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau]].<ref name="Romain">{{cite web | url=http://www.lbc.ac.uk/history.html | title=50 Years: An Overview | publisher=Leo Baeck College | work=History | date=2006 | accessdate=4 April 2013 | author=Jonathan Romain}}</ref> It was renamed Leo Baeck College shortly afterwards<ref name="Romain"/> at van der Zyl's suggestion<ref name="AJR">{{cite journal | url=http://www.ajr.org.uk/journalpdf/1984_june.pdf | title=Obituary: Rabbi Werner van der Zyl | journal=AJR Information | publisher= [[Association of Jewish Refugees]]|year=1984 | month=June | volume=39 | issue=6 | pages=9}}</ref> in honour of his teacher, Dr [[Leo Baeck]], the inspirational twentieth century German Liberal rabbi.

Prior to Leo Baeck College's foundation there was no institution for training Reform rabbis in Britain and all ministers had either received their training in the [[United States]] or had been graduates of the Orthodox [[Jews' College]] who had later switched allegiance and served Reform synagogues.<ref name="Romain"/>

The College was originally housed at [[West London Synagogue]]. Its first two students were [[Lionel Blue]] and Michael Leigh, both of who became distiguished rabbis.<ref name="Romain"/>

Van der Zyl's work was furthered by many others, including Rabbis [[Hugo Gryn]] and John Rayner who jointly supervised the College affairs after his retirement. In 1972 Rabbi Dr [[Albert Friedlander]] became Director and during his tenure the student body grew in size.<ref name="Romain"/>

Female students had been admitted from the outset, although none graduated as rabbis until [[Jackie Tabick|Jacqueline Tabick]] in 1975.<ref name="Tabick">{{cite book | title=Hear Our Voice, Sybil Sheridan (ed.), | publisher=SCM Press | author=[[Jackie Tabick|Jacqueline Tabick]]| title=I Never Really Wanted To Be First | year=1994 | location=Norwich}}</ref>

The College moved in 1981 to larger premises at the Manor House (later known as the Sternberg Centre) in North Finchley, along with other institutions within the Progressive movement. This in turn led to a major growth in its activities, especially its Extra-Mural Department, which provided a wide range of day-time and evening activities for the wider public. Its Teachers Training Department also expanded and eventually formed a separate Education Department that served both the Reform and Liberal movements, later being known as the Centre for Jewish Education (CJE).<ref name="Romain"/>

In 1985 Rabbi Professor [[Jonathan Magonet]] became the first full-time Principal<ref name="History"/>, a position he held for 20 years.
<ref name="Romain"/>


In 2001 The Centre for Jewish Education (CJE) integrated with the old Leo Baeck College to become Leo Baeck College–Centre for Jewish Education (LBC-CJE).<ref name="History">{{cite web | url=http://www.lbc.ac.uk/history.html | title=History | publisher=Leo Baeck College | accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref>
In 2001 The Centre for Jewish Education (CJE) integrated with the old Leo Baeck College to become Leo Baeck College–Centre for Jewish Education (LBC-CJE).<ref name="History">{{cite web | url=http://www.lbc.ac.uk/history.html | title=History | publisher=Leo Baeck College | accessdate=3 April 2013}}</ref>


Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein was appointed as Principal in 2006 and the combined new College adopted the name Leo Baeck College. Rabbi Professor Saperstein completed his term of office in July 2011 and continues to teach at the College as Professor of Jewish History and Homiletics.<ref name="History"/>
Magonet retired in 2005.<ref name="Romain"/> He was succeeded by Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein in the following year, when the combined new College adopted the name Leo Baeck College. Saperstein completed his term of office in July 2011 and continues to teach at the College as Professor of Jewish History and Homiletics.<ref name="History"/>

==Library==
The College's library has 60,000 books, including donations of books from the former Hochschule library and many rare editions.<ref name="Romain"/>

==Sponsorship==
The College is sponsored by The Movement for Reform Judaism, The Liberal Movement and the United Jewish Israel Appeal.<ref name="History"/>


==Staff==
==Staff==


The College has benefited greatly from the leadership provided by its first six Principals: Rabbi Dr Werner van der Zyl,<ref name="AJR"/> Rabbi Dr [[John D Rayner]], Rabbi Dr [[Albert H Friedlander]], Professor [[Ben Segal]], Rabbi Professor [[Jonathan Magonet]], and Rabbi Professor [[Marc Saperstein]]. The current Principal (since September 2011)<ref name="History"/> is Rabbi Dr [[Deborah Kahn-Harris]], a graduate of Leo Baeck College and one of the first woman rabbis to lead a mainstream rabbinic seminary.<ref name="New principal">{{cite web | url=http://news.reformjudaism.org.uk/press-releases/induction-of-new-principal-of-leo-baeck-college.html | title=Induction of New Principal of Leo Baeck College | publisher=[[Movement for Reform Judaism]] | date=1 March 2012 | accessdate=4 April 2013}}</ref>
The current Principal (since September 2011)<ref name="History"/> is Rabbi Dr [[Deborah Kahn-Harris]], a graduate of Leo Baeck College and one of the first woman rabbis to lead a mainstream rabbinic seminary.<ref name="New principal">{{cite web | url=http://news.reformjudaism.org.uk/press-releases/induction-of-new-principal-of-leo-baeck-college.html | title=Induction of New Principal of Leo Baeck College | publisher=[[Movement for Reform Judaism]] | date=1 March 2012 | accessdate=4 April 2013}}</ref>


Faculty members have included Rabbi John D. Rayner, Rabbi Dr. [[Louis Jacobs]] and [[Karen Armstrong]].
Faculty members have included Rabbi John D. Rayner, Rabbi Dr. [[Louis Jacobs]] and [[Karen Armstrong]].
Line 17: Line 39:
==Alumni==
==Alumni==


Among Leo Baeck’s alumni are Rabbi Dr [[Lionel Blue]], OBE, Rabbi Dr [[Tony Bayfield]], CBE, Rabbi Dr [[Jonathan Romain]], MBE, Rabbi [[Harry Jacobi]], MBE, Rabbi [[Baroness Neuberger]], Rabbi [[Sybil Sheridan]] and Rabbi [[Jackie Tabick]], the first [[Rabbi#Women|woman rabbi]] to be trained in the United Kingdom.
Among Leo Baeck’s alumni are Rabbi Dr [[Lionel Blue]], Rabbi Dr [[Tony Bayfield]], Rabbi Dr [[Jonathan Romain]], Rabbi [[Harry Jacobi]], Rabbi [[Baroness Neuberger]], Rabbi [[Sybil Sheridan]] and Rabbi [[Jackie Tabick]], the first [[Rabbi#Women|woman rabbi]] to be trained in the United Kingdom.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 24: Line 46:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Ellen Littmann: "The First Ten Years of the Leo Baeck College" in Dow Marmur (ed.): ''Reform Judaism'', [[Movement for Reform Judaism|Reform Synagogues of Great Britain]] London, 1973
* Michael Leigh: "1956 and All That" in Jonathan Romain (ed.): ''Renewing the Vision'', [[SCM Press]], Norwich, 1996.


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 12:16, 4 April 2013

51°35′43″N 0°11′22″W / 51.59528°N 0.18944°W / 51.59528; -0.18944 Leo Baeck College is a rabbinical seminary and centre for the training of teachers in Jewish education, which is based at the Sternberg Centre, East End Road, in north London. It was founded by Rabbi Dr Werner van der Zyl in 1956.

Rabbinic ordinations from Leo Baeck College are recognised worldwide by the Liberal, Reform and Masorti movements. To date, Leo Baeck College has trained over 170 rabbis, its alumni serving Jewish communities in the United Kingdom and across the world. Leo Baeck College also pioneered the training of rabbis to serve the Jewish communities of the former Soviet Union[1] and has been at the forefront of Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue for decades. In addition to the training of rabbis, Leo Baeck College trains teachers, provides an educational consultancy for religion schools and Jewish day schools, supports the development of community leaders, and provides access to Jewish learning for all through interfaith work.

History

The College was founded in 1956 as the Jewish Theological College of London for the training of Liberal and Reform rabbis and was seen as a successor organisation to the Hochschule für die Wissenschaft des Judentums in Berlin and the Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau.[1] It was renamed Leo Baeck College shortly afterwards[1] at van der Zyl's suggestion[2] in honour of his teacher, Dr Leo Baeck, the inspirational twentieth century German Liberal rabbi.

Prior to Leo Baeck College's foundation there was no institution for training Reform rabbis in Britain and all ministers had either received their training in the United States or had been graduates of the Orthodox Jews' College who had later switched allegiance and served Reform synagogues.[1]

The College was originally housed at West London Synagogue. Its first two students were Lionel Blue and Michael Leigh, both of who became distiguished rabbis.[1]

Van der Zyl's work was furthered by many others, including Rabbis Hugo Gryn and John Rayner who jointly supervised the College affairs after his retirement. In 1972 Rabbi Dr Albert Friedlander became Director and during his tenure the student body grew in size.[1]

Female students had been admitted from the outset, although none graduated as rabbis until Jacqueline Tabick in 1975.[3]

The College moved in 1981 to larger premises at the Manor House (later known as the Sternberg Centre) in North Finchley, along with other institutions within the Progressive movement. This in turn led to a major growth in its activities, especially its Extra-Mural Department, which provided a wide range of day-time and evening activities for the wider public. Its Teachers Training Department also expanded and eventually formed a separate Education Department that served both the Reform and Liberal movements, later being known as the Centre for Jewish Education (CJE).[1]

In 1985 Rabbi Professor Jonathan Magonet became the first full-time Principal[4], a position he held for 20 years. [1]

In 2001 The Centre for Jewish Education (CJE) integrated with the old Leo Baeck College to become Leo Baeck College–Centre for Jewish Education (LBC-CJE).[4]

Magonet retired in 2005.[1] He was succeeded by Rabbi Professor Marc Saperstein in the following year, when the combined new College adopted the name Leo Baeck College. Saperstein completed his term of office in July 2011 and continues to teach at the College as Professor of Jewish History and Homiletics.[4]

Library

The College's library has 60,000 books, including donations of books from the former Hochschule library and many rare editions.[1]

Sponsorship

The College is sponsored by The Movement for Reform Judaism, The Liberal Movement and the United Jewish Israel Appeal.[4]

Staff

The current Principal (since September 2011)[4] is Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, a graduate of Leo Baeck College and one of the first woman rabbis to lead a mainstream rabbinic seminary.[5]

Faculty members have included Rabbi John D. Rayner, Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs and Karen Armstrong.

Alumni

Among Leo Baeck’s alumni are Rabbi Dr Lionel Blue, Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, Rabbi Baroness Neuberger, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan and Rabbi Jackie Tabick, the first woman rabbi to be trained in the United Kingdom.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jonathan Romain (2006). "50 Years: An Overview". History. Leo Baeck College. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Obituary: Rabbi Werner van der Zyl" (PDF). AJR Information. 39 (6). Association of Jewish Refugees: 9. 1984. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ Jacqueline Tabick (1994). I Never Really Wanted To Be First. Norwich: SCM Press.
  4. ^ a b c d e "History". Leo Baeck College. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Induction of New Principal of Leo Baeck College". Movement for Reform Judaism. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2013.

Further reading

  • Ellen Littmann: "The First Ten Years of the Leo Baeck College" in Dow Marmur (ed.): Reform Judaism, Reform Synagogues of Great Britain London, 1973
  • Michael Leigh: "1956 and All That" in Jonathan Romain (ed.): Renewing the Vision, SCM Press, Norwich, 1996.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leo_Baeck_College&oldid=548650535"