Overview
Who we are looking for:
We are looking for an impassioned Rabbi to serve as the spiritual leader for all aspects of our growing community that can connect closely with our congregants of all backgrounds and age groups. The ideal candidate would be an excellent public speaker, but also a dynamic leader that can help build on our solid foundation of religious and cultural programs. Our incoming Rabbi will play a key role in shaping and executing our long-term strategy, which, in the coming years, aims to grow our membership base and modernize the way we communicate and interact with the community. To that end, it is vital that our Rabbi is able to connect with our community members and deliver messaging and programming that is thought-provoking, yet approachable and applicable to our contemporary lives. Our Rabbi will view the role not as a position, but as a lifestyle that integrates his family into our family.
Our ideal candidate is traditional, yet open-minded and willing to think “outside the box” as we continue to modernize our approach, while preserving the integrity of our long-standing Sephardic traditions. The candidate must accept our established traditions of mixed seating and microphones during services (including Shabbat and High Holidays). In recent times, our world has transitioned to virtual/remote operations; we encourage our candidate to explore the use of various media outlets for certain programs.
Responsibilities Include:
· Serve as the spiritual leader for all aspects of our community.
· Direct all religious services for the community, including, but not limited to Shabbat, Jewish Holidays and Festivals, daily minyanim, etc.
· Develop an understanding of the spiritual needs of the community and create a plan to address those needs. Build and maintain close relationships with and provide spiritual guidance to members and families.
· Serve the congregation in a pastoral role for life-cycle activities such as weddings, B’nei Mitzvot, bereavement, illness, crises, etc.
· In partnership with lay leaders, create and implement robust educational and cultural programs for various segments of the community, including youth, high school, young professionals/families, seniors, etc. This includes development and dissemination of content to the community on behalf of the Temple on a regular basis.
· Work closely with Talmud Torah leadership on administration and curriculum development.
· Provide mentorship to Talmud Torah students, especially in preparation for B’nei Mitzvot.
· Provide counsel to the Temple leadership and Board of Directors in matters related to religion, Halacha, education, etc. to facilitate decision making; attend monthly Board of Directors meeting, Religion Committee meetings and other relevant committee meetings.
· Play an active role in shaping and executing the Temple’s long-term strategy, including membership growth, fundraising and other outreach efforts.
· Other duties to enrich our community as directed from time to time by Temple leadership.
Who we are:
STTI is a traditional Sephardic Synagogue tied in with modern American Jewish religious expressions. Our primary mission is to serve as the focal point of Jewish life for our community and to fulfill all facets of spiritual needs of our congregants. We are located in the heart of Los Angeles and are one of the largest Sephardic congregations in the United States, serving the local Jewish community for over 100 years. Founded by a small group of Sephardic, Ladino speaking immigrants in 1920, we have grown into a full-service congregation, with a membership representing an international, diverse cultural background. Currently, the Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel is home to over 500 families from all over the world, including the US, Iran, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Rhodes, Greece, and Cuba, among others.
STTI does not identify with a particular established Jewish denomination. We largely adhere to traditional Sephardic services with certain contemporary and moderate distinctions. This creates a unique identity that maintains our traditional roots, while allowing us to cater to modern society in the 21st century. Our community offers robust, onsite Talmud Torah and Early Childhood education, as well as stimulating adult classes, social/cultural events, an active Sisterhood and Men’s Club, and programs that cater to various age groups (youth, young professional, senior).
Qualifications:
· Ordained Rabbi with public speaking experience required.
· At least 5 years of pulpit experience or equivalent preferred.
· Experience creating and leading religious and cultural programming.
· Experience with and presence in social media and digital platforms strongly preferred.
· Sephardic background is preferred, but not required; can be replaced with willingness to learn and embrace Sephardic traditions.
· Fluent in English; strong verbal and written communications skills.
avi@sephardictemple.org
About Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel
Who we are:
STTI is a traditional Sephardic Synagogue tied in with modern American Jewish religious expressions. Our primary mission is to serve as the focal point of Jewish life for our community and to fulfill all facets of spiritual needs of our congregants. We are located in the heart of Los Angeles and are one of the largest Sephardic congregations in the United States, serving the local Jewish community for over 100 years. Founded by a small group of Sephardic, Ladino speaking immigrants in 1920, we have grown into a full-service congregation, with a membership representing an international, diverse cultural background. Currently, the Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel is home to over 500 families from all over the world, including the US, Iran, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Rhodes, Greece, and Cuba, among others.
STTI does not identify with a particular established Jewish denomination. We largely adhere to traditional Sephardic services with certain contemporary and moderate distinctions. This creates a unique identity that maintains our traditional roots, while allowing us to cater to modern society in the 21st century. Our community offers robust, onsite Talmud Torah and Early Childhood education, as well as stimulating adult classes, social/cultural events, an active Sisterhood and Men’s Club, and programs that cater to various age groups (youth, young professional, senior).