Jewish Chaplaincy
Jewish chaplaincy is uniquely able to meet people in their suffering. The suffering that many people experience – whether due to physical illness, aging, mental health issues, incarceration, alienation or the traumas encountered in the military – can be shifted, or even lightened, when shared with a trained Jewish chaplain who is immersed in the wisdom of the Jewish tradition and pastoral approaches to helping.
Certification and Endorsement
The specific certifications and endorsements required for Jewish chaplaincy (and all chaplains) depend on the settings in which they will work.
Board certification which requires a BA, a graduate degree in religious studies, 4 units of CPE, and additional clinical experience is often required for work in hospitals. In hospitals as well as in prisons, people also need to be endorsed.
Training for Jewish Chaplains
People come to Jewish chaplaincy along multiple paths. They may study pastoral counseling, Jewish studies, or other fields; they may become rabbis or cantors.
They may complete a seminary education or other types of programs. Jewish chaplains often, though not always, enroll in clinical pastoral education (CPE) as part of their training.
