Overview

THE ROLE OF THE RABBI

Religious and Spiritual Leader:  The rabbi will work with NJC’s cantorial soloist, ritual committee and interested members to enhance spirituality and instill Jewish values in a positive way.

·          Lead religious services. We are presently utilizing the new URJ siddur, Mishkan Tefilah for Shabbat services, the Gates of Prayer for Festivals and the     Gates of Repentance for High Holiday services

·          Provide meaningful, intellectually stimulating sermons and/or divrei Torah

·          Embrace NJC’s religious mode and set religious policy in cooperation with NJC’s Board of Directors

·          Support music in services by coordinating with NJC’s cantorial soloist and music director

·          Lead the planning of High Holiday services and other holidays

Community Builder:  The rabbi will create a sense of community within the congregation and in the broader Naples community, both Jewish and non-Jewish.  The rabbi should foster inclusion by motivating congregants to get more involved in synagogue life. Hopefully, the rabbi will become the face of the congregation in the community.

·          Energize the congregation

·          Have excellent interpersonal skill and connect with potential, new and continuing members

·          Attend monthly NJC board meetings; communicate regularly with the board president and ritual chair

·          Be aware of the diverse needs of our congregants be they personal or religious

·          Engage in and foster friendly community connections; encourage interfaith respect and understanding of Judaism

Communicator:  The rabbi should be an effective communicator with excellent communication skills.

·          Be an engaging speaker

·          Be available and approachable

·          Respond sincerely and compassionately, and in a timely manner to exceptional circumstances in congregants’ lives

·          Conduct compassionate funeral or memorial services that personal and comforting to the family and other mourners

·          Use the internet to communicate with the congregation such as the newsletter, email and on our website

·          Offer education opportunities, such as classes or workshops, to our congregants

Timing Expectations: Religious services are held weekly, usually on Friday night, from September through April, and once a month from May through August. High Holiday services are held as they occur, but other holidays and festivals are celebrated on the following Shabbat.
Community Description:

• We are located in Naples, Florida – voted the # 1 Healthiest Community in the USA. Naples offers, superb cultural amenities for art, music and drama, gorgeous beaches, and an abundance of restaurants that serve a variety of ethnic foods highlighting the cultural diversity of the area. There is a reason this is called the Paradise Coast!
• We do not have our own facility. We gather and meet at the Naples Unitarian Universalist Congregation and have done so since the founding of our synagogue.

Work Remotely: no
Qualifications:

WHAT WE REQUIRE OF A RABBINICAL CANDIDATE

Educational Background

·          Graduation and Ordination from an accredited Jewish seminary

·          Post-graduate education and training is desirable

·          Pastoral Training

·          Be learned in and able to share knowledge in areas of Jewish religion, Torah, history, literature and culture

Position Start Date: August 1, 2017
Benefits:

• Because we only have services once a month from May through August, the opportunity exists for a more relaxing summer and occasional time away from Naples, provided coverage is arranged. There are several long weekends built into our service schedule as well.
• Ours is an adult only congregation. Therefore, there is no Sunday School or Hebrew School, and the absence of many of the other responsibilities that come with a regular congregation.

Salary Range: $50,000
Send resumes and cover letter to:

Naples Jewish Congregation
P.O. Box 111994
Naples, FL 34108
Att: Search Committee