The Academy for Jewish Religion, California (AJRCA) was founded in 2001 as a transdenominational, pluralistic seminary dedicated to the training of rabbis, cantors, and chaplains. Its constituencies include Orthodox, secular, Conservative, Renewal, Reform and Reconstructionist Jews. Its mission is to develop religious leaders steeped in Torah wisdom and tradition and capable of transforming Jewish communities into places where all Jews can grow toward wholeness and well-being.

The AJRCA Inter-Religious Studies Project trains 7 faculty from 3 diverse religious institutions (AJRCA, Claremont School of Theology, and the Islamic Center of Southern California) to implement a new Inter-Religious Studies Concentration; become knowledgeable about Judaism, Christianity and Islam; and able to prepare the next generation of Jewish clergy to promote trust, dialogue, and collaboration across religious boundaries.

Our hope is that people will come to see how religion can elevate, rather than divide the world. It is tremendously gratifying to know that The Foundation shares that vision, and we will work very hard to justify this great honor.

Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, Ph.D., President, Academy for Jewish Religion, California