Overview
Temple Beth El (bethel-fl.org) is a Reform Congregation serving mainly the Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch communities as well as all of Manatee and northern Sarasota counties. Temple Beth El (TBE) has been in existence for more than 50 years. Its growing membership reflects its success in creating a nurturing, welcoming, inclusive and uplifting environment in a growing and vibrant community.
TBE conducts Friday night and Shabbat morning services every week. Our Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service has become a mystical and meditative celebration of the incoming Shabbat, complete with live music with our current rabbi on guitar accompanied by a bass player, a flutist, and a percussionist. There is also an interactive D’var Torah led by the rabbi along with occasional relevant videos utilizing our large-screen monitors.
Our Shabbat morning service maintains a more traditional format including reading verses from the Torah scroll. We end each Friday night service with an Oneg. The Shabbat morning service, with interactive Torah study/discussion, is followed by a Kiddush lite lunch.
The Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch area is highly desirable and growing rapidly. We are in close proximity to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The area has good public schools, a wide variety of cultural activities, and easy access to Sarasota and Tampa airports.
We are seeking an energetic rabbi who can embrace our culture, and continue to expand the membership, as well as the temple’s footprint in the greater community. The anticipated starting date is May 1, 2025. Candidates must demonstrate appropriate religious background, training, and knowledge. Prior congregational leadership experience is preferred but not required, and soon to be rabbi’s or other spiritual leaders may be eligible and encouraged to apply. The ability to sing and act as a song leader is very important and playing a musical instrument is a definite plus. The candidate should be able to leyn Torah. On Shabbat mornings, we usually only read between eight and twelve verses of the parsha, but the candidate is free to read more, if desired.
The Rabbi shall enjoy freedom of the pulpit in terms of preaching and teaching, however overt political discussions are discouraged. Our Rabbi will be our primary educator, particularly for our adult membership. He/she is expected to be technology literate including use of iPads, Word, PP, Zoom, and wireless microphones, etc.
Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch is northeast of Sarasota and southeast of St. Petersburg. There are a large number of cultural venues including live theaters and museums. Bradenton and Sarasota are the spring training homes for two major league baseball teams. We are in close proximity to top rated beaches.
Candidates must demonstrate appropriate religious background, training, and knowledge. Prior congregational leadership experience is preferred but not required, and soon to be rabbi’s or other spiritual leaders may be eligible and encouraged to apply. The ability to sing and act as a song leader is very important and playing a musical instrument is a definite plus. The candidate should be able to leyn Torah.
Our Rabbi will be our primary educator, particularly for our adult membership. He/she is expected to be technology literate including use of iPads, Word, PP, Zoom, and wireless microphones, etc.
A successful candidate will be comfortable with our format of musical interactive services supplemented with electronic media.
Mitchell Rubinstein
marblack12@gmail.com