Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) is North America’s premier institution of Jewish higher education and the center for Jewish professional leadership development. At HUC-JIR we grapple with the great issues of Jewish life, history and thought with an open, egalitarian, inclusive and pluralistic spirit, while advancing the critical study of Judaism and Jewish culture in accordance with the highest standards of modern academic scholarship. We prepare rabbis, cantors, leaders in Jewish education, Jewish nonprofit professionals, pastoral counselors, and scholars to apply their knowledge, commitment, vision, and expertise to strengthen and transform the Jewish community and larger world.