The Council for Higher Education decided yesterday not to recognize the Reform-sponsored Hebrew Union College of Jerusalem as an Israeli institution of higher learning. The parent college trains Reform rabbis in the United States and awards only advanced degrees. Part of its courses are given in Israel, but degrees are awarded only at the college in Cincinnati. The college reportedly accepted the Council’s decision. A college spokesman noted that the collage had only applied for what were described as “technical reasons.”
At the same session, the Council also decided to appoint a committee to appraise the academic credentials of new immigrants. In another action, the Council decided not to raise the status of the Sde Boker College to that of a university. The Council instead suggested that the college establish an institute for Negev and arid zone research as a branch of the University of the Negev, in Beersheba. The school would absorb the existing arid zone research institute, which is now sponsored jointly by several organizations, the Education Ministry spokesman said.
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