Rabbi Careers

Overview

Job Summary: The Rabbi will perform all agreed duties of a Rabbi in a manner consistent with our diverse congregation with visible leadership at congregation functions as well as in the larger community. The Rabbi must have personal warmth, interpersonal skills and the ability to develop rapport with our children, interfaith families and especially our diverse congregation.

Temple Shalom was founded in 1971 in Colorado Springs, Colorado and today is a vibrant congregation which conducts itself according to the principles of both the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements.

Our mission is to promote a spiritually centered community that inspires Jewish values, life and learning. During most weeks, Friday evening worship services are conducted in the Reform tradition and Saturday morning worship is conducted in the Conservative tradition. Temple Shalom is a diverse congregation which includes interfaith couples and Jews with alternative lifestyles.  For more information about Temple Shalom, please visit www.templeshalom.com

Located in beautiful Colorado Springs Colorado, the city was recently named the fifth-best place to live by U.S. News and World Report Colorado Springs was lauded for its low cost of living, a low unemployment rate and its wide variety of recreation and entertainment options. Home of The U.S. Air Force Academy and both the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Colorado College, residents enjoy access to intellectual, athletic and cultural programs.

Filled with natural wonders such as Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Park, we have the additional allure of proximity to ski resorts without the associated steep costs of living and high levels of traffic.   Colorado Springs has its own airport and its proximity to Denver provides opportunities for major league sports and access to Denver International.  At 6300 feet in altitude and 300+ day of sunshine per year, Colorado Springs provides a wonderful quality of life, with good schools, a quaint downtown and Trader Joes!

Areas of Responsibilities:

Core Duties

·         The Rabbi shall act as the Mara D’Atra of the Synagogue and its Congregants

·         Act as the spiritual, religious, and Jewish education leader of the congregation

·         Initiate and lead adult education programs in support of Education Committee objectives and curriculum

·         Provide leadership for Shabbat services, including liturgy and sermons for adult services, family services, that meet expectations of a Reform or Conservative culture as appropriate

·         Officiate as necessary at life cycle events of congregants including interfaith families and conversions

·         Collaborate with the Education Coordinator to maintain and advance our Religious School programs and curriculum, especially as it pertains to Bar/Bat Mitzvah training

·         Participate in all professional staff meetings, and board meetings

·         Act as an advisor to all committees when called upon

Additional Specific Duties

Leadership

·         Connect with our members on their personal journeys of integrating Judaism into their lives including those interested in conversion

·         Participate in congregational activities and events, and encourage congregants to also participate

·         Identify and cultivate lay leaders within the congregation

·         Work with Education Coordinator and Programming Committee to provide programming for young families to promote a strong bond to Temple Shalom and Judaism

·         Take a supporting role in recruitment of new members and maintaining current members; working closely with membership, fundraising and programming committees

·         Actively reach out to potential new members, and participate as asked by committees, such as membership and fundraising

·         Act as a spokesperson for the congregation on topics of a religious or community nature

·         Maintain and model of high personal, ethical, and professional standards

Services & Liturgy

·         Prepare and lead holiday and festival services, including liturgy and sermons

·         Train and supervise congregants who wish to develop liturgy and present services

·         Ability to read Torah and Haftorah

Religious and Pre-School

·         Act as a resource to religious school teachers in development of curricula and be present to interact with students as needed

Pastoral

o    Provide counseling for congregants on personal issues within the role of the Rabbi

o    Provide pastoral services to congregants including offering comfort for the bereaved and ill

o    Reach out to congregants who are elderly and shut-ins

o    Be available to Jewish non-members when called upon by local health and hospice agencies, specifically for end of life events

 

Administrative

o    Post and maintain scheduled office hours.  Provide counsel to the officers and Board of Directors as appropriate

o    Support and collaborate with Temple staff and Board of Directors

o    Be able to communicate via telephone, email and social media

o    Contribute written articles to the monthly newsletter and the weekly handout

o    Prepare monthly and semi-annual Rabbi’s report on activities including board and congregational meetings

o    Plan and manage expenses within the Rabbi’s discretionary fund

 

 

 

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