Rabbinical College of America
{{Short description|Chabad Lubavitch Chasidic yeshiva in Morristown, New Jersey}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Rabbinical College of America
| motto =
| image =
| image_caption =
| established =
| type = Chabad Lubavitch Chasidic Yeshiva
| president =
| Colours =
| city = Morristown
| state = New Jersey
| country = U.S.
| campus = Urban, {{convert|82|acre|m2|adj=on}}
| faculty =
| mascot =
| religious_affiliation = Jewish
| academic_affiliations = Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools, Tomchei Temimim
| website = {{URL|www.rca.edu}}
}}
{{Chabad sidebar}}
The Rabbinical College of America is a Chabad Lubavitch Chasidic yeshiva in Morristown, New Jersey. The Yeshiva was led by Rabbi Moshe Herson until his death in 2025.{{Cite news |title=NJ Chabad mourns Rabbi Moshe Herson, pioneer who co-founded Rabbinical College of America |work=Morristown Daily Record
|first=Westhoven |last=William |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/nj-chabad-mourns-rabbi-moshe-204405806.html }} The growth of the Yeshiva college has had a significant cultural effect on the community and has influenced many Jewish families to move into the area to be near the Yeshiva and the surrounding synagogues. It is supported by Jewish philanthropists such as David T. Chase and Ronald Lauder of Estée Lauder Inc.{{Cite news|title=Rabbinical College Honors Five|last=Kitts|first=Kara|date=March 14, 2009|work=Palm Beach Daily News|page=6}}{{Cite news|title=College Opens Jewish Institute|date=August 21, 1991|work=The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)}}
Licensed by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education,[http://www.nj.gov/highereducation/school2.htm#theo Rabbinical Schools / Theological Seminaries in New Jersey], accessed December 6, 2006 the Yeshiva grants a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies[http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article.asp?AID=361824 Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720034127/http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article.asp?AID=361824 |date=July 20, 2011 }}, accessed December 6, 2006 accredited by the Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools.[http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/njedge/schools.htm New Jersey Colleges and Universities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223105559/http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/njedge/schools.htm |date=December 23, 2007 }}, accessed December 6, 2006
The college is located on an {{convert|82|acre|m2|adj=on}} campus in Morris Township, New Jersey. The campus is the New Jersey Headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitch movement.https://www.rca.edu/
Academic programs
- Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim – The international network of Chabad Yeshivas, intended for college-aged men (18–22). Hundreds of its graduates obtained ordination at advanced Rabbinical schools, and serve as Rabbis of Chabad House and community institutions around the world.
- Rabbinical ordination program{{cite web |url=http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article_cdo/aid/303789/jewish/Rabbinical-Ordination-Program.htm |title=Rabbinical Ordination Program | Lubavitch of New Jersey Regional Hdqts |publisher=Rca.edu |access-date=October 18, 2011 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001043455/http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article_cdo/aid/303789/jewish/Rabbinical-Ordination-Program.htm |url-status=dead }} for Tomchei Temimin graduates on-site under the supervision of Rabbi Chaim Schapiro. The ordination degrees have been signed by former Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu and Yisroel Meir Lau.
- Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim – One of the first programs worldwide for Ba'alei Teshuva founded in the summer of 1973 by Rabbi Avraham Lipskier, who served as its first Mashpia (and who subsequently founded Yeshiva Tiferes Menachem{{cite web|url=http://tiferes.org/ |title=Yeshiva Tiferes Menachem – Torah Study for Men |publisher=Tiferes.org |access-date=October 18, 2011}} in Seagate, NY). This program is accredited by the state of New Jersey to grant a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies.{{cite web |url=http://www.theworldsgreatestyeshiva.com/degree.php |title=Tiferes Bachurim |publisher=Theworldsgreatestyeshiva.com |access-date=October 18, 2011 |archive-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323040915/http://www.theworldsgreatestyeshiva.com/degree.php |url-status=dead }}
- There was an ordination program instituted in 1978 with seven students under the supervision of Rabbis Dovid Wichnin, the first Rosh Yeshiva (Headmaster), and Boruch Yorkovitch. The examination committee consisted of Rabbi Sholom Ber Gordon from New Jersey, and Rabbis Avraham Osdoba and Bogomilsky from New York. However, it was phased out in 1979 due to low enrollment. The remaining four students (Rabbis Simcha Frankel,{{cite web |url=http://www.mff.org/newsroom/news.taf?page=f&_function=detail&id=484 |title=MFF Features |publisher=Mff.org |access-date=October 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927163807/http://www.mff.org/newsroom/news.taf?page=f&_function=detail&id=484 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} Tzvi Freeman,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PMhnVhEwiQkC&q=%22tzvi+freeman%22 |title=Bringing heaven down to earth: 365 ... – Tzvi Freeman, Menaḥem Mendel Schneersohn – Google Books |date=May 18, 2007 |isbn=9780968240809 |access-date=October 18, 2011|last1=Schneerson |first1=Menachem Mendel |publisher=Class One Press }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iaA4AAAACAAJ&q=%22tzvi+freeman%22 |title=Men, Women & Kabala: A Handbook from ... – Tzvi Freeman – Google Books |isbn=9780968240830 |access-date=October 18, 2011|last1=Freeman |first1=Tzvi |date=May 2004 |publisher=Class One Press }}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ouFJPQAACAAJ&q=%22tzvi+freeman%22 |title=The Book of Purpose: Meditations My ... – Tzvi Freeman – Google Books |isbn=9780968240854 |access-date=October 18, 2011|last1=Freeman |first1=Tzvi |year=2004 |publisher=Class One Press }} Shlomo Sawilowsky, Menachem Schmidt{{cite web |url=http://philly-direct.com/frum/shul.html |title=Orthodox Jewish Philadelphia Directory |publisher=Philly-direct.com |date=August 23, 2011 |access-date=October 18, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016094838/http://www.philly-direct.com/frum/shul.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |url=http://citypaper.net/articles/2009/08/27/rabbi-menachem-schmidt-chabad-lubavitch |title=Too Cool for Shul :: Cover Story :: Article :: Philadelphia City Paper |publisher=Citypaper.net |access-date=October 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916224531/http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2009/08/27/rabbi-menachem-schmidt-chabad-lubavitch |archive-date=September 16, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}) continued their advanced ordination studies after graduation elsewhere.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} Many other graduates of Tiferes Bachurim subsequently received ordination at other rabbinical institutions. Examples are Rabbis Dovid Rothschild, author of a two volume series in English pertaining to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's holiday essays;{{cite web|url=http://store.kehotonline.com/index.php?stocknumber=ERE-HOLI.SB&deptid=3219&parentid=15&page=3&itemsperpage=10 |title=Holiday Maamarim 2 Vol Set :: Kehotonline |publisher=Store.kehotonline.com |access-date=October 18, 2011}} and Herschel Finman, who has hosted a radio show (WLQV 1500 am and WPON 1460 am) since 1995.{{cite web|url=http://www.rabbifinman.com/radioshowc.html |title=Radio Show |publisher=Rabbi Finman |access-date=October 18, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.askmoses.com/en/scholar/2057002/Rabbi-Herschel-Finman.html |title=Rabbi Herschel Finman – Askmoses Resident Scholar – Judaism Jewish History Expert |publisher=Askmoses.com |access-date=October 18, 2011}} In 2009, the ordination program was reinstituted under the supervision of Rabbi Ya'akov Wagner.
- Notable graduates include Rabbi Tzvi Freeman, Rabbi Moshe Reuven Sheradsky, Rabbi YY Jacobson, Dr. Dovid Lazerson, author of Skullcaps n' Switchblades,{{cite web|url=http://www.drlaz.com/resume.html |title=Welcome to Dr Laz's Web Site |publisher=Drlaz.com |date=May 9, 2003 |access-date=October 18, 2011}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QjypIgAACAAJ&q=skull+caps+and |title=Skullcaps 'n' Switchblades: Survival ... – David B Lazerson – Google Books |isbn=9780936063300 |access-date=October 18, 2011|last1=Lazerson |first1=David B. |date=June 1999 |publisher=Bristol Rhein & Englander }} and Shimon Waronker.{{cite web|url=http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article_cdo/aid/635574/jewish/NY-TIMES-article-on-former-student-of-Rabbinical-College-of-America.htm |title=Shimon Waronker, former RCA student |publisher=Rca.edu |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=October 18, 2011}}
- Kollel Tiferes Avreichim{{cite web|url=http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article_cdo/aid/303797/jewish/Kollel-Tiferes-Avreichim.htm |title=Kollel Tiferes Avreichim | Lubavitch of New Jersey Regional Hdqts |publisher=Rca.edu |access-date=October 18, 2011}} for married students, under the supervision of Rabbi Chaim Brafman.{{Cite web|title=Worldwide Synchronized Lecture|url=http://www.jewishtimes-sj.com/news/2009-01-16/community/005.html|access-date=Oct 8, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141008112710/http://www.jewishtimes-sj.com/news/2009-01-16/community/005.html|archive-date=October 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}
- Cheder Lubavitch,{{cite web|url=http://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article_cdo/aid/303792/jewish/Cheder-Lubavitch.htmK |title=Cheder Lubavitch | Lubavitch of New Jersey Regional Hdqts |publisher=Rca.edu |access-date=October 18, 2011}} an Orthodox day school for boys and girls, whose principal is Rabbi Aaron Wilschanski.{{Cite web|title=New Exploration of Jewish Civil Law Scheduled|url=http://swampscott.wickedlocal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/search?q=New%20Exploration%20of%20Jewish%20Civil%20Law%20Scheduled%26TaxonomyId%23530&Start=0|access-date=Oct 8, 2014}}
- Yeshiva Summer Program, is a summer program for 13- to 14-year-old boys that runs every summer. It includes half a day of learning and half a day of activities, and many trips. It is run by Rabbi Mendel Goldberg.https://www.rca.edu/templates/rca/article_cdo/aid/303820/jewish/Yeshiva-Summer-Program.htm
- Albert Richman, an electrical engineering executive, was the president and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 1982.{{Cite news |date=1985-01-17 |title=Obituary for Albert A. Richman (Aged 88) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-item-of-millburn-and-short-hills-obi/40725290/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |work=The Item of Millburn and Short Hills |pages=11}}{{Cite web |title=New Jersey Jewish News - October 28, 1982 — Jewish Historical Society of New Jersey Archives |url=https://jhsnj-archives.org/?a=d&d=A19821028-NewJerseyJewishNews-19821028-01.1.11&srpos=9&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN%7CtxTA%7CtxCO%7CtxTY%7CtxTI%7CtxRG%7CtxSG%7CtxSE%7CtxSB%7CtxCT%7CtxIE%7CtxIT%7CtxTE%7CtxLA%7CtxSU%7CtxSP%7CtxDS%7CtxAD%7CtxPR%7CtxTR%7CtxFI-Richman---------- |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=jhsnj-archives.org}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.rca.edu/ Official website]
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{{Chabad}}
{{Organized Jewish Life in the United States|state=collapsed}}
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Category:Ashkenazi Jewish culture in New Jersey
Category:Chabad in the United States
Category:Universities and colleges in Morris County, New Jersey
Category:Men's universities and colleges in the United States