Rabbi Careers

Overview

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community seeks a half-time rabbi [see * below for opportunities to supplement this ½-time position] to partner with us as we continue to grow and create a strong Reconstructionist presence in St. Louis. We are a small, welcoming, tight-knit, highly participatory congregation of 56 members who are committed to learning and deepening our understanding of Judaism. We seek a rabbi to facilitate our learning and spirituality as we strive to be better people and Jews and live a more meaningful Jewish life in St Louis and the U.S. Our members range in age from 30s to 90s, with a majority in the Baby Boom generation, and three families with children.  Our belief is that providing awesome worship, learning and programs that generate enthusiasm leads to organic growth.

Shir Hadash meets for pot-luck dinners and discussions at members’ homes on erev of the 1st Shabbat each month, and Shabbat morning services and programs in the Beit Midrash at the JCC on the 2nd-5th Shabbatot. We do not have daily minyanim or a religious school. While our events are not kosher, our policy is to allow only parve and milk dishes at Shir Hadash events.

We need a dynamic rabbi who is a mensch and a scholar, one who is energetic and has a vision to create a congregation that is embracing to all, whose walls are created by the people and not by bricks and mortar. Our rabbi’s primary responsibilities include leading twice-monthly Shabbat worship as well as holiday worship, facilitating learning during worship services, tending to congregational pastoral needs and engaging in community outreach with out-of-the-box creativity. Our rabbi gives a formal sermon only once a year (on Erev Rosh HaShanah). On our 2nd and 4th Shabbats and at our 1st Shabbat pot luck, we ask our rabbi to lead us in Torah-rooted discussions focused on how we can apply Jewish principles and responsa to our own daily lives and the issues that we face as Jews and Americans. Our rabbi also works with our education and ritual committees to support monthly 3rd Shabbat educational sessions (led by our members), monthly potlucks (coordinated and hosted by our members) and holiday services and celebrations. We contract with a High Holiday cantorial soloist each year and have several congregants who assist with Shabbat song leading, but a rabbi with musical and/or song-leading ability is a plus. Although our members often act as baal korei, the ability and desire to read Torah (roughly 8-10 times per year) is a requirement for this position, while chanting is a plus.

Our community provides strong support to our rabbi and works to lighten our rabbi’s day-to-day workload: A third to a half of our members attend all our events, including Shabbat services and pot-lucks. Our members step up to lead our monthly 3rd Shabbat educational sessions, read and chant Torah, lead some singing, coordinate logistics with the JCC, and take care of the bulk of Shir Hadash’s administrative needs. We have a part-time administrator who produces and distributes our weekly email newsletter, maintains our web site, and publicizes our events.
Remuneration is $45,000-$50,000 per year, plus payment of professional dues, paid attendance at one national conference per year, 2 weeks vacation, parenting and sick leave as required, and moving expenses. The rabbi provides their own office at their home (although it may be possible for Shir Hadash or the JCC to provide an office). Housing costs in St Louis are very affordable: A three bedroom, two bath house within walking distance of the JCC costs $200,000 – $300,000. Area apartments rent for $1,000-$3,000 per month. The position commences on July 1, 2020.
Please contact Dave Zuckerman, chairman of the Shir Hadash rabbinical search committee at shrabbisearch@gmail.com, 314-434-3232 (o), or 314-313-9334 (c).

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* Shir Hadash has been working with Jewish Federation of St Louis to identify additional ½-time opportunities to supplement our new rabbi’s ½-time work at Shir Hadash. Two potential opportunities have already been identified: one doing chaplaincy work at the Jewish Family & Children’s Service (https://jfcs-stl.org/chaplaincy-with-jfcs/) and the other a teaching position at the JFed Center for Jewish Learning (https://www.jfedstl.org/community-engagement/center-jewish-learning/). One or both of these positions will become available during 2020. Teaching positions at one of St Louis’ premier universities, or work at one of St Louis’ many Jewish, non-Jewish and secular agencies may also be available. Shir Hadash will endeavor to support our new rabbi in seeking and obtaining one of these positions.