IPA Charities Supports Hebrew Theological College

IPA Charities has contributed $5,000 to the Hebrew Theological College.

IPA Charities’ contribution is being used to fund the necessary work needed to upgrade the college’s sports field and complex. The sports field and complex are scheduled to be fully upgraded by the summer of 2008.

"We feel it is important to nourish our students’ minds as well as encourage physical activity and interaction with other students in the study hall as well as on the ball field," said Rabbi Dr. Jerold Isenberg, Chancellor.

In 1919, a group of rabbis met to evaluate the priorities of higher Jewish education in Chicago. During this meeting, the Beis HaMidrash LeRabanim was founded. In 1921, the name of the school was changed to Hebrew Theological College – Beis HaMidrash LaTorah, and the college was chartered by the state of Illinois as a degree granting institution of higher education. Later, a women’s teaching institute was established. This institute acted as a division of Hebrew Theological College to provide women with opportunities for advanced Jewish studies and to prepare those seeking careers in Jewish education. In 1976, the women’s division was endowed and named the Anne M. Blitstein Teachers Institute for Women. Eventually, the college relocated from its original facilities on the west side of Chicago to Skokie, Ill.

Hebrew Theological College’s primary majors in its degree program are in Judaic Studies. However, options for additional majors include accounting, business and psychology. Students may also pursue pre-law and pre-professional health studies. Since 1921, Hebrew Theological College has ordained hundreds of rabbis who have served as rabbis, chaplains and educators in the United States, Canada, Israel and throughout the world. The thousands of alumni who have studied at the college have made an indelible impression, as lay or professional leaders, on the world’s Jewish community.