Overview
Har Shalom Seeks a Part-Time Rabbi
Job Summary
Har Shalom, a small, diverse, egalitarian congregation in Missoula, Montana, seeks a part-time rabbi to lead, inspire, join, teach, and help grow our community of approximately 60 households. The ideal candidate will interact with both adults and children with passion, compassion, and humor; have excellent interpersonal and community-building skills; and demonstrate a commitment to building our community and nurturing relationships with the Missoula interfaith community.
While Har Shalom is a member of URJ, we are not specifically seeking a Reform rabbi; ordained rabbis from all streams of Judaism are invited to apply. (A rabbinic student close to receiving smicha could be considered.)
About Missoula
Missoula, Montana, is a city of about 73,000 residents with a median household income of $42,389 (according to U.S. Census data). Surrounded by mountains, Missoula is at the convergence of three rivers and offers abundant outdoor activities, including skiing, fishing, and hiking. It serves as a regional retail hub as well as the home of Montana’s flagship university and two medical centers. Known as the “Garden City,” Missoula offers outstanding quality of life for individuals and families who value community, embrace an active lifestyle, and seek a small-town feel in a vibrant university town with a lively culture and music scene.
Rabbinic Responsibilities
• Work with a diverse congregation in terms of Jewish background and practice
• Provide spiritual leadership including:
-- Lead holiday observances and at least two Friday night and one Shabbat morning service per month
-- Read Torah and conduct services in both Hebrew and English
-- Ideally, bring musical and cantorial skills to our participatory Shabbat and holiday celebrations
-- Encourage and guide lay leadership
• Provide pastoral counseling and support for life cycle events
• Oversee education at all levels:
-- Provide Bar / Bat Mitzvah preparation as needed
-- Lead or oversee adult education, including weekly Torah study and classes in religious and Jewish historical / cultural topics
-- Participate in Atidaynu Sunday school twice / month
• Leverage or develop connections in Missoula Jewish community to further Har Shalom’s goals
• Serve as ambassador for Har Shalom to foster relationships with the city and interfaith organizations in Missoula
Congregational leadership is committed to partnering with the successful candidate to ensure her/his success. Commitments include:
-- Negotiating an employment contract in partnership with the rabbi
-- Working together to set boundaries to ensure that the position is truly part-time
-- Identifying resources to complement the rabbi’s skill set and address other community priorities
-- Providing administrative support for scheduling, communication, and other tasks
-- Partnering with the rabbi to expand our membership
Benefits include paid vacation and contributions toward professional development
Rabbi Search Committee
rabbisearch@har-shalom.org
Har Shalom will accept applications until February 4, 2019.
About Congregation Har Shalom
We’re an egalitarian, inclusive congregation in Missoula, Montana, affiliated with Reform Judaism. We support a growing, joyful Western Montana Jewish community and welcome Jews of all backgrounds, interfaith couples, and all who want to learn about Jewish life.
For over sixty years, our Missoula community has gathered for Jewish holiday celebrations, religious education, services, and community service projects. Har Shalom is a place for learning and celebrations—Shabbat services, Torah study, Hebrew classes, festival celebrations, bar and bat mitzvah and other life cycle events—led by our resident Spiritual Leader and Rabbinic Intern, and lay leaders.
We also host concerts, lectures, social gatherings, and outdoor activities.
