Jewish Learning Institute

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The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) is currently the largest provider of adult Jewish learning, offering courses on a wide range of topics at 325 chapters worldwide, with locations spanning six continents. Employing research-based instructional design, JLI aims to present Judaism in a manner that is both intellectually rigorous and highly accessible .[1] In 2009, in the U.S. alone, JLI enrolled over 42,000 individuals in its courses, several times more than all other national adult Jewish education programs combined.[2]

The Institute offers three courses annually made available through local chapters and taught by a local instructor. Each course lasts for six weekly sessions. For the convenience of travelers, each class unit is taught during the same week at every location, both in America and around the globe.[2] General topics include:

Some JLI courses have been accredited by the American Medical Association for Continuing Medical Education credits. Others are accredited to offer Continuing Legal Education credits by the bars of 29 states, Australia, the UK and the National Board of Licenses.

JLI has eleven departments: JLI Flagship Courses; Torah Studies; My Shiur; Sinai Scholars; JLI Teens; Rosh Chodesh Society; Torah Café; National Jewish Retreat; The Land and the Spirit Mission; JLA Academy; Continuing Education; and Marketing and PR.

A subsidiary of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, JLI is the adult education arm of Chabad Lubavitch.

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History

JLI was founded in 1999 with the mission to inspire increased Jewish learning worldwide and create a global network of informed students connected by bonds of shared Jewish experience. The first JLI course, Jewish Mysticism, was piloted at 15 Chabad centers in 1999. The institute expanded thereafter, introducing 15-20 new cities annually. In 2005, JLI was expanded to 40 new cities. JLI currently serves over 24 countries, with 325 locations around the globe (260 of which are in the United States).[3]

Since its inception in 1998, over 220,000 students have completed JLI courses, with enrollment of 12,000 to 16,000 students each semester. As of 2011, JLI has developed 37 separate six-week courses, the most popular of which have been on Jewish thought, law, and mysticism.[2]

Mission and Educational Philosophy

JLI’s mission is “to inspire Jewish learning worldwide and to transform Jewish life and the greater community through Torah study, creating a global network of informed students connected by bonds of shared Jewish experience.”[4]

JLI crafts courses to address students' "multiple intelligences" and diverse learning styles, while also considering the impact of Jewish values on personal and interpersonal growth.[2] Drawing on research-based instructional design, JLI’s presentation of Judaism is designed to be both intellectually rigorous and highly accessible to the modern adult.[4]

Courses

JLI courses provide the essentials of Jewish literacy in a series of 6-week courses. Course curricula are supplemented by comprehensive textbooks, interactive exercises, and audio-visual presentations.

Past courses