Hebrew Union College faces economic woes

CINCINNATI (AP) — The nation’s oldest institution for training rabbis, cantors and educators of Reform Judaism is facing economic woes that could lead the college to close two of its three U.S. campuses.

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion has campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.

President Rabbi David Ellenson said Monday in New York that officials are considering various ways to deal with the financial crisis, including leaving only one stateside campus open. The Jerusalem campus would not be affected if any campuses are eliminated, he said. College officials also are considering other scenarios that would allow academic programs to continue at more than one campus, Ellenson said.

The college-institute is trying to cope with a projected debt of about $8 million over this year and next year.

“Nothing has been decided yet,” Ellenson said, adding that officials still are discussing options.

Ellenson sent a letter last month and another last week to faculty, staff, the board of governors, alumni and others detailing the problems and saying that the institution “stands at a fateful crossroads” that puts it in the most financially challenging position in its history.

“I wish with all my heart and soul that this were not so,” Ellenson said in the April 14 letter. “Yet all the wishing in the world cannot alter the reality we face.”