A Study of Rabbinical Seminaries in America and How They Have managed to Adapt and Survive in Modern Society

FAIN: FT-13847-78

William Helmreich
CUNY Research Foundation, Graduate School and University Center (New York, NY 10016-4309)

To study the reason for the implications of the survival of yeshivas in modern America. Yeshivas are religious institutions where individuals study the Talmud and other aspects of Jewish law and tradition. Their purpose is to produce an educated laity as well as to train rabbis and theological educators. Amazingly, these institutions have been in existence for over 2,000 years. The project has two goals: (1) to account for the survival of the yeshiva as an integral part of the Jewish community, (2) to present an accurate and detailed account of what life is like in these institutions. Participant observation, and interviewing, and analysis of existing literature will be conducted.