Interim Rabbi

Kolot Chayeinu/ Voices of Our Lives is seeking an Interim Rabbi starting August 1, 2023.

About Kolot
Kolot Chayeinu / Voices of Our Lives (Kolot) is a 30-years-strong, fast-growing, progressive, unaffiliated Jewish congregation in Brooklyn, NY with over 450 households (roughly 640 individual members). Kolot is a place of inclusive ritual, supportive community, dynamic educational programming, and the relentless pursuit of social justice, all in alignment with Kolot’s Mission and Values Statement. We are a collaborative community, committed to helping one of our original mottos--“all hands are needed”--evolve into “all hands engaged," and we are blessed with extensive lay engagement and leadership in worship, leyning, drashot, and music. For more information please visit www.kolotchayeinu.org.

Job Description & Responsibilities

Our founding rabbi, Rabbi Emeritus Ellen Lippmann, led the congregation for the first 25 years of its existence. She was succeeded by Rabbi Miriam Grossman, who led the congregation through the challenges of the first three years of the pandemic and the community’s exciting growth.
Now, Kolot seeks an Interim Rabbi (IR) who has experience with the process of a community’s change in leadership and who will help us navigate this transition. The IR will provide continuity for the period of August 2023 through June 2024, working closely with Kolot’s longtime Cantor, staff, and lay leaders to guide and support our community, enabling the congregation to reflect on our vision for the future of Kolot and to establish our search criteria to ensure the Settled Rabbi we ultimately select will be the best possible fit for our community. The IR will not be a candidate for the Settled Rabbi position.

The IR will collaborate closely with the Cantor in designing and leading services, holidays, life cycle rituals, and pastoral care. In addition, the IR will collaborate with the Executive Director, Board, and staff in the full range of congregational activities, including education, programming, and administration. The IR will be an ex-officio member of the Board, working closely with the Executive Committee.

Qualifications
Kolot Chayeinu is an independent, unaffiliated congregation; rabbis from any denominational background and ordination are welcome to apply.

Required:
Alignment with Kolot’s mission, vision and values;
Smikha / Ordination from a recognized seminary or rabbinic training program;
Congregational experience;
Experience as an Interim Rabbi, equivalent experience in organizational transitions, and/or a willingness to enter an Interim Ministry training program;
Excellent listener, plus interpersonal, written, oral communication skills;
Experience working with people of varying ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and Jewish backgrounds and commitments, as well as with multi-faith, multi-race, and LGBTQ+ families and communities.

Desirable:
Ability to play a role in Kolot’s 5784 High Holiday services;
Familiarity with New York City and Brooklyn, including the Jewish communal landscape;
Engagement in civic and/or social justice activism.

Terms of Employment:
The term of the Interim Rabbi is from August 2023 through June 2024. For the first several months, this role will overlap with the outgoing Rabbi. This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $125,000 (pro-rated) plus a generous benefits package. The Interim Rabbi will report to the Board of Directors through the President of the Board. This position is not open to members of Kolot. The Interim Rabbi will not be a candidate for the Settled Rabbi position.

Kolot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The organization encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.
We recognize that people from marginalized groups may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.