Rabbi Careers

Overview

Spiritual Leader Transition – Outreach Statement Kehila Chadasha, a progressive independent Jewish community of about 100 families, seeks applicants to become our spiritual leader. The first 12 to 18 months will be a transition period in which the selected applicant would share duties with our long-time rabbi. After 40 years of service to our community, our current rabbi is looking to transition to a reduced role while helping to meet the needs of our older members. We hope that this new position will start by September 2019.

We are:
● a close-knit community of families, couples and individuals located in the Washington, DC area
● a member-directed “shul without walls;” we do not own a building
● a diverse community that includes individuals from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds, both Jewish and non-Jewish
● a community that loves learning, draws from a variety of Jewish movements and participates in Jewish traditions, culture, and holidays together
● inclusive, caring, and egalitarian
● 40 years-old and going strong.

Our Activities:

● we gather Sunday mornings at a local high school from September to mid-June to sing and learn through educational programs about a range of topics (cultural, historical, political, literary, artistic, scientific, and occasionally religious)

● we educate our children (currently, about 30) about Jewish history, culture, ethics, and the Hebrew language

● we hold High Holiday services, joined by many nonmembers

● we observe Jewish traditions, hold monthly Shabbat onegs, and celebrate Jewish holidays
● we believe in and do Tikkun Olam and act on this belief through many activities, including, supporting HIAS’s refugee resettlement efforts, serving dinner monthly at a local shelter, collecting monthly Mitzvah donations for those in need, promoting environmental awareness and action, joining social justice marches, and contributing Tzedakah locally and internationally
● we have never had a capital building campaign.

In sum, Kehila Chadasha is a welcoming community with a strong Jewish identity, ruach, social awareness, and a commitment to each other.

Roles and Responsibilities

Kehila’s new spiritual leader, after the transition period, will:
● participate in Sunday morning gatherings, including leading music, occasionally conducting adult education sessions, and assisting with the Sunday school
● lead holiday celebrations and Shabbat onegs, and share responsibilities for High Holiday services with our current rabbi
● provide pastoral support to members
● officiate at life-cycle events as requested by members, such as namings, bar/bat mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, and shivas
● oversee Judaic and Hebrew curriculum development for Sunday school and teen education
● take a lead role in outreach to potential new members, particularly younger members, as we seek to grow our Sunday school and community
● attend monthly Board meetings

Job responsibilities may average approximately 20 to 30 hours per week September through mid-June; fewer hours per week from mid-June through August.

Our spiritual leader will be retained on a renewable two-year contract, will report to the Board, and will receive annual reviews. Salary and benefits are competitive. Qualifications, Abilities, and Background
● an understanding and knowledge of Jewish religious teachings, history, traditions, and culture (ordination as a rabbi or cantor is preferred but not required)
● a familiarity with independent Jewish communities and havurot
● welcoming of individuals with a non-religious orientation, a limited or non-Jewish background, and interfaith couples and families
● embracing progressive, egalitarian, humanistic values, and committed to social activism, linked to Jewish teachings and traditions
● experience with and willingness to incorporate music and song in community activities and celebrations
● training and experience in pastoral counseling
● training and experience in teaching, preferably with a wide range of ages
● enthusiasm for engaging with young families, children, and teens
● a warm, compassionate, joyful spirit
● a good sense of humor
● energetic, resourceful, self-directed, flexible and collaborative
● a willingness to play a major role in helping our community grow.