Solo Rabbi

Congregation Beth El (“CBE” or “Beth El”) is looking for a full-time solo rabbi to be the spiritual and religious leader of our congregation. We do not have a cantor so the position envisions the rabbi as the leader of services (along with congregational participation, which we not only encourage but pride ourselves on) and sole clergy.
Ideally we would love to find a permanent rabbi, but we are also mindful of the potentiality of a future merger within the local Conservative community. Therefore, we are open to filling this position on an interim basis.

In either event, a rabbi who has experience with transition would be most beneficial, as ours is a congregation that feels itself to be in transition. That is not an easy landing spot for a new rabbi, but it is important that he or she understand it upfront. We are looking for someone who will embrace the challenge and become engaged with the congregation in its journey forward. We are looking for someone to work with us in visioning our future, a leader who will provide guidance and support for the congregation during these challenging times. We need a rabbi who is committed to collaborating with us in preserving what is best about us, building cohesiveness amongst our Beth El family, and lending a guiding hand toward finding our way to a better tomorrow for CBE.

At the same time, ours is a congregation that offers the opportunity for change, a chance to be an integral part of a community in the process of reinventing itself. While the synagogue, like any institution, can become stuck in its ways in certain respects, CBE finds it-self now in a position where innovation and creative thinking have taken on a new urgency. In light of demographic trends in the Jewish community, reflected both locally and across the country, now is an optimal time to seize the initiative to rethink and reformulate how best to serve our congregation and our community. Our new rabbi along with our board will work together toward visualizing the changes needed to achieve these goals and helping us to implement them.

The rabbi’s principal focus will lie in providing direction and stewardship to the congregation in pastoral, spiritual, ritual and educational matters. We view strengthening the bonds of our Beth El community to be an integral part of the rabbi’s leadership role. The ability to motivate the congregation from the pulpit, to furnish guidance and instruction to members in all of the various aspects of synagogue life, and to inspire by the power and persuasiveness of his or her example are key components of rabbinic leadership.

Position Start Date: July 1, 2024.

Qualifications:

 We need our rabbi to prioritize and embody the spiritual growth and connection of our congregants. Essential skills for providing pastoral counseling and care are a must along with having a knack for leading services with poise and depth. Management skills to lead, participate and work as a team are also sought after.
 We are aware of the many areas that need support and the right rabbi will guide us.
o Beth El needs a rabbi who understands the need for and is committed to the care a rabbi is meant to provide. We desire a person who will connect with congregants not just in sick or critical times, but one who will genuinely develop relationships, seek to meet all members where they are spiritually, and teach and guide with devotion and discretion. We need a rabbi who will take the initiative to counsel and comfort congregants in times of death and critical needs as well as during life’s transitions.
o Saturday morning Shabbat services are the main, weekly gatherings at the synagogue. We seek a rabbi who will lead services creatively and inclusively, allowing and encouraging congregants to participate. We are also seeking a public speaker who is articulate and inspirational, someone who can frame contemporary issues in a compelling way while providing depth by drawing on Judaism’s rich traditions and liturgy.
o In addition, we seek a team player who prioritizes working together by actively engaging, listening and following through with staff and congregants.
o Beth El seeks a rabbi who will lead the congregation by example in thinking and living Jewishly. We desire a rabbi who will bring creative programming ideas and work with congregants of various ages to help develop and instill Jewish faith and customs.