Overview

Temple Beth Ohr of La Mirada, a URJ-affiliated Reform Jewish Temple, is searching for our next full-time Rabbi. We are an intimate congregation of around 165 households. Our congregation is comprised of congregants that span the generations: young families, those with adult children, and active seniors. Temple Beth Ohr is a place of creative, innovative, and inspirational Reform Judaism.

We are looking for a Rabbi who works collaboratively and who is innovative and creative in advancing our Temple’s vision of sacred time, sacred learning, and sacred relationships.

Duties include:

Worship

  • Serve as the spiritual leader of our Temple
  • In collaboration with the Cantor, conduct meaningful, vibrant and interesting worship services
  • Create slides to accompany worship services
  • Deliver creative and inspiring sermons

Education

  • Act as Principal of the Religious and Hebrew School
  • In collaboration with the Cantor, train Bar and Bat Mitzvah students
  • Teach the Confirmation Class
  • Develop new opportunities to educate and engage youth and school families
  • Teach adult education classes

Support the Needs of the Temple

  • Provide pastoral care
  • Officiate life-cycle events
  • Write monthly articles for the Temple newsletter
  • Be involved in Temple and Auxiliary activities
  • Grow the Temple’s membership

Qualities we are looking for in a candidate:

  • Honesty and integrity
  • Caring and empathetic
  • Approachable
  • Able to relate to youth
  • Technologically savvy
  • Visionary thinker
Rabbi Qualifications: Applicants must be comfortable working in a Reform setting.
Work Remotely: no
Qualifications:

Rabbinic Ordination

Position Start Date: July 1, 2023
Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000
Send resumes and cover letter to:

Julie Nolte
jhuniunolte@gmail.com

About Temple Beth Ohr

Our Mission Statement:

  • Promote the enduring and fundamental principles of Judaism,
  • Strengthen the bonds of loyalty with Jewish people everywhere,
  • Enable its adherents to develop a relationship with God through communal worship, religious education,
    study, and assembly,
  • Apply the principles of Reform Judaism to the values and conduct of the individual, the family, and the
    society in which we live, and
  • Stand for a Judaism that is inclusive of a wide range of identities, knowing we will be a stronger, more
    vibrant Jewish community when we fully incorporate the diversity that is the reality of modern Jewish
    life.

Our Goals:

  • Increase congregational membership
  • Create a warm and welcoming community
  • Make Judaism relevant, meaningful and engaging
  • To ensure the financial stability of the congregation

Our Core Values:

  • Community
  • Education
  • Tikkun Olam/Social Action
  • Volunteer engagement

Our Strengths:

  • Warm, friendly, and welcoming
  • Religious/Hebrew school and youth programs
  • Inclusive environment

Our History:

The city of La Mirada was an area of olive groves and was first subdivided in 1954. Among the earliest adventuresome residents were 8 Jewish families who discovered each other by placing information cards at the supermarket.

The number of Jewish families had grown to 40 by 1956, when the group decided to formalize their association by creating the La Mirada Jewish Community Center and duly elected a slate of officers. They started a Religious School for the children with voluntary teachers, in members’ homes. During the next 4 years, meetings were held in a series of local churches, public schools and even at a dance studio. The group felt like the Jews of old wandering in the wilderness, and they were very grateful for the support of their Christian neighbors. This unique relationship of friendship is just as strong today.

The year 1960 was a milestone. The Jewish families of La Mirada bought the land at Rosecrans and Santa Gertrudes, constructed the first phase of the building plan, changed their name to Temple Beth Ohr, and started the Temple Sisterhood. In 1974 the formal sanctuary was constructed, and in 1988 the building was completed with the addition of a foyer.

Rabbi Lawrence Goldmark served TBO for 29 years and retired in the spring of 2008, and is now our Rabbi Emeritus. We welcomed Rabbi Mark Goldfarb at that time to add another productive chapter to our Temple’s story.

In looking back over the years, Temple Beth Ohr can trace a pattern of continued service not only to the La Mirada Jewish Community, but to the surrounding communities as well. Now we have a strong Religious and Hebrew Learning Lab, planned activities for our teenagers, a strong Sisterhood and Brotherhood, and an Adult Education series. We offer uplifting and meaningful Shabbat and holiday worship services, life-cycle events, and opportunities for enrichment and connection. We welcome singles, seniors and families of all compositions.