Joint Semikha + MBA Program Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary RIETS Semikha MBA Online MBA NYC Campus Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology About the Program Learn the leadership and organizational skills that will heighten your success as a rabbinic and community leader with an MBA from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. The MBA program will enable you to develop a solid foundation of monetary and economic principles in addition to organizational and leadership abilities. The program covers all major functions including finance, marketing, accounting, data analysis, and entrepreneurship.Whether it’s as a shul rav, menahel or rebbe in a school, executive director of a tzedakah organization, even chairman of a board of directors, acquiring the strategic and business skills the Sy Syms MBA offers will broaden your skill set and offer many benefits.A rabbi with an MBA has the added skills to lead with knowledge, compassion and an understanding of the financial workings of an organization that can help a synagogue or non-profit succeed. Non-profit does not mean non-efficient, and your financial expertise will provide your lay partners with a sense of confidence and security. About the Sy Syms School of Business Sy Syms is an AACSB Accredited Business School.We are a small, selective graduate school that offers advanced training in various business disciplines built on a foundation of values and market-ready skills. Our intensive graduate programs are designed to prepare students for leadership positions at prominent organizations in a constantly evolving world. We offer an on campus and online MBA, JD + MBA, and Semikha + MBA, all of which are structured to meet the needs of the working professional. Our graduates emerge with the technical skills, practical knowledge, and business connections to succeed. About the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Vital in its approach and vibrant in its tradition, the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) is the Western Hemisphere’s leading center for Torah learning and training for the rabbinate.For over a century, RIETS has provided an unsurpassed educational experience in the classic mold of the great yeshivot. Embodying the historic concept of Torah Lishmah—learning for its own sake—and a responsiveness to community needs, RIETS is a deep fount of Jewish knowledge and a preeminent source of rabbinic leadership for the next generation and beyond. Join a True CommunityCommunity is at the heart of everything we do at Sy Syms. The emphasis on collaboration in our on-campus and online courses is not simply intended to teach you to be a team player; it fosters a deeper understanding among your diverse group of classmates. Our faculty take this mission to heart as well, ensuring their availability to students both during scheduled office hours and beyond them to enable our cohort of working professionals to have every opportunity to benefit from their expertise. Online and NYC Campus MBA36 creditsMBA Online: Full-Time or Part-timeMBA NYC Campus: Full-Time or Part-time, Evening ClassesProgram Structure36 credits21 core credits and 15 electivesMBA Online: Start in the Fall, Spring, or SummerMBA NYC Campus: Start in the Fall or SpringStudy part-time or accelerate your MBA in as little as 15 months Program BenefitsThe MBA program for RIETS students is designed to complement Semikha while preparing future rabbinic leaders to guide synagogues, schools, and community organizations. Integrated with the RIETS schedule, the program allows students to pursue MBA coursework alongside their Torah learning while developing practical leadership, management, and strategic skills grounded in Jewish values.Seamlessly integrated with the RIETS schedule — structured to align with Semikha while taking 1–2 courses per semesterSupports the RIETS corequisite — pursue the MBA alongside your Semikha studies without disrupting your Torah learningPrepare to lead a shul, school, or community organization — gain the tools to guide institutions effectively and sustainablyDesigned for students from Torah and liberal arts backgrounds — no prior business training requiredStrengthen decision-making in complex communal situations — learn to navigate budgeting, governance, personnel management, negotiations, and crisis leadershipDevelop financial and organizational management skills — including budgeting, financial planning, and long-term strategyEnhance Your Long-Term Impact and Effectiveness — position yourself not only as a talmid chacham, but as a capable institutional leader who can build, grow, and strengthen Jewish communitiesIncrease career flexibility and opportunity — preparing you to lead synagogues, schools, nonprofits, and communal organizationsSkill DevelopmentHard skills: understand the major business functions (e.g., finance, marketing, accounting), whole-organization thinking, and a strong sense of strategyIntangibles: organizational and leadership skills, teamwork, an entrepreneurial mindset, the ability to set goals, establish a vision, motivate and inspire people, delegate effectively, and foster innovationThe Rabbi/MBA model created by the Sy Syms MBA and RIETS Semikha program will be the gold standard for those who love, support, and demand the best from their synagogue and organizational leaders. Full Program Breakdown Join a True CommunityCommunity is at the heart of everything we do at Sy Syms. The emphasis on collaboration in our on-campus and online courses is not simply intended to teach you to be a team player; it fosters a deeper understanding among your diverse group of classmates. Our faculty take this mission to heart as well, ensuring their availability to students both during scheduled office hours and beyond them to enable our cohort of working professionals to have every opportunity to benefit from their expertise. Online and NYC Campus MBA36 creditsMBA Online: Full-Time or Part-timeMBA NYC Campus: Full-Time or Part-time, Evening ClassesProgram Structure36 credits21 core credits and 15 electivesMBA Online: Start in the Fall, Spring, or SummerMBA NYC Campus: Start in the Fall or SpringStudy part-time or accelerate your MBA in as little as 15 months Program BenefitsThe MBA program for RIETS students is designed to complement Semikha while preparing future rabbinic leaders to guide synagogues, schools, and community organizations. Integrated with the RIETS schedule, the program allows students to pursue MBA coursework alongside their Torah learning while developing practical leadership, management, and strategic skills grounded in Jewish values.Seamlessly integrated with the RIETS schedule — structured to align with Semikha while taking 1–2 courses per semesterSupports the RIETS corequisite — pursue the MBA alongside your Semikha studies without disrupting your Torah learningPrepare to lead a shul, school, or community organization — gain the tools to guide institutions effectively and sustainablyDesigned for students from Torah and liberal arts backgrounds — no prior business training requiredStrengthen decision-making in complex communal situations — learn to navigate budgeting, governance, personnel management, negotiations, and crisis leadershipDevelop financial and organizational management skills — including budgeting, financial planning, and long-term strategyEnhance Your Long-Term Impact and Effectiveness — position yourself not only as a talmid chacham, but as a capable institutional leader who can build, grow, and strengthen Jewish communitiesIncrease career flexibility and opportunity — preparing you to lead synagogues, schools, nonprofits, and communal organizationsSkill DevelopmentHard skills: understand the major business functions (e.g., finance, marketing, accounting), whole-organization thinking, and a strong sense of strategyIntangibles: organizational and leadership skills, teamwork, an entrepreneurial mindset, the ability to set goals, establish a vision, motivate and inspire people, delegate effectively, and foster innovationThe Rabbi/MBA model created by the Sy Syms MBA and RIETS Semikha program will be the gold standard for those who love, support, and demand the best from their synagogue and organizational leaders. Swipe to learn more! Join a True CommunityCommunity is at the heart of everything we do at Sy Syms. The emphasis on collaboration in our on-campus and online courses is not simply intended to teach you to be a team player; it fosters a deeper understanding among your diverse group of classmates. Our faculty take this mission to heart as well, ensuring their availability to students both during scheduled office hours and beyond them to enable our cohort of working professionals to have every opportunity to benefit from their expertise. Online and NYC Campus MBA36 creditsMBA Online: Full-Time or Part-timeMBA NYC Campus: Full-Time or Part-time, Evening ClassesProgram Structure36 credits21 core credits and 15 electivesMBA Online: Start in the Fall, Spring, or SummerMBA NYC Campus: Start in the Fall or SpringStudy part-time or accelerate your MBA in as little as 15 months Program BenefitsThe MBA program for RIETS students is designed to complement Semikha while preparing future rabbinic leaders to guide synagogues, schools, and community organizations. Integrated with the RIETS schedule, the program allows students to pursue MBA coursework alongside their Torah learning while developing practical leadership, management, and strategic skills grounded in Jewish values.Seamlessly integrated with the RIETS schedule — structured to align with Semikha while taking 1–2 courses per semesterSupports the RIETS corequisite — pursue the MBA alongside your Semikha studies without disrupting your Torah learningPrepare to lead a shul, school, or community organization — gain the tools to guide institutions effectively and sustainablyDesigned for students from Torah and liberal arts backgrounds — no prior business training requiredStrengthen decision-making in complex communal situations — learn to navigate budgeting, governance, personnel management, negotiations, and crisis leadershipDevelop financial and organizational management skills — including budgeting, financial planning, and long-term strategyEnhance Your Long-Term Impact and Effectiveness — position yourself not only as a talmid chacham, but as a capable institutional leader who can build, grow, and strengthen Jewish communitiesIncrease career flexibility and opportunity — preparing you to lead synagogues, schools, nonprofits, and communal organizationsSkill DevelopmentHard skills: understand the major business functions (e.g., finance, marketing, accounting), whole-organization thinking, and a strong sense of strategyIntangibles: organizational and leadership skills, teamwork, an entrepreneurial mindset, the ability to set goals, establish a vision, motivate and inspire people, delegate effectively, and foster innovationThe Rabbi/MBA model created by the Sy Syms MBA and RIETS Semikha program will be the gold standard for those who love, support, and demand the best from their synagogue and organizational leaders. Connect With UsMBA OnlinePatricia Morrobel: patricia.morrobel@yu.edu, 646-592-6687, Schedule a CallMBA NYC CampusJared Hakimi: jared.hakimi@yu.edu, 646-592-4722 Application Requirements Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college Transcripts Résumé Completion of TOEFL or IELTS score (if applicable) Visit our Sy Syms admissions page for a complete list of requirements. Courses and MBA Focus Tracks Core Courses Include Subjects Such As:Data AnalyticsFinanceManagementLeadershipFocus Track OptionsStudents may pursue a general MBA track or an MBA focus track:MBA NYC CampusGeneralBusiness AnalyticsFinanceStrategy & EntrepreneurshipAccountingMBA OnlineGeneralMarketingAccountingStrategy & EntrepreneurshipFinanceSee CurriculumsMBA NYC Campus Curriculum MBA Online Curriculum Courses and MBA Focus Tracks Core Courses Include Subjects Such As:Data AnalyticsFinanceManagementLeadershipFocus Track OptionsStudents may pursue a general MBA track or an MBA focus track:MBA NYC CampusGeneralBusiness AnalyticsFinanceStrategy & EntrepreneurshipAccountingMBA OnlineGeneralMarketingAccountingStrategy & EntrepreneurshipFinanceSee CurriculumsMBA NYC Campus Curriculum MBA Online Curriculum
