Rabbi Careers

Overview

WELCOME TO THE UNITED HEBREW CONGREGATION OF SINGAPORE

UHC Singapore is a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community that values warm welcome, meaningful relationships and inspirational personal growth.

UHC Singapore is Asia’s largest Reform Jewish congregation by membership size and is a member of the Asia, Australia, and New Zealand region of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Established over 30 years ago as a synagogue without walls, our community is anchored and made up of people from all over the world at different discovery stages of their Jewish lives.  We are a Reform, open congregation that relies on member volunteers to manage operations, plan and drive exciting Shabbat services, social events, and Jewish education. We consist almost exclusively of families, couples, and individuals who have moved to Singapore for work, study, and new experiences.  We welcome LGBTQ members and patrilineal Jews. By virtue of being in Asia, we have many families with non-Jewish spouses / partners and we embrace Jews by choice. As the sole progressive congregation in Singapore, we welcome those seeking a Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative or similarly progressive and egalitarian approach to Judaism.

Many traditions that would ordinarily take place with family in Jewish homes around the world (Shabbat dinners, seders and breaking the fast), are practiced and shared as a community. Similarly, b’nei mitzvah, baby namings / brit milah and other lifecycle events often involve the entire community. The UHC is more than our religious community; it is our extended family.

WE SEEK
Are you a passionate and community focused Rabbi seeking a meaningful opportunity? We are looking for a new Rabbi to play a pivotal role in guiding our congregation toward a spiritual, community-minded, and inclusive future and nurturing the Jewish identity of our members. The ideal candidate will be able to harness our strengths by actively working side by side with the membership.  This leader will appreciate the UHC’s unique community, which includes long-term residents, expats and Singaporeans; relies on committed volunteers; and lacks a permanent physical synagogue.  Our future leader will help Jews who come from all over the world find their Jewish home in Singapore.

Our Rabbi will lead all services with kindness, compassion, and scholarship, in collaboration with our volunteer gabbai team.  We seek someone who delivers meaningful sermons that are thought-provoking and contemporary in their message. In this role, you will provide pastoral care to our community members, the majority of whom have families who live far from Singapore. You will also lead services for life cycle events, again within the context of the UHC community often taking the role of extended family for our members.  Music is important to us; you can lead us in song and prayer with vocal accuracy and with a broad repertoire.r.  Additionally, you will be responsible for directly engaging our children, youth, and adults in Jewish Education, also helping to guide our Sunday school teachers as required . We are a multinational and diverse community; fostering a spirit of inclusivity within our congregation is of the highest importance.

How do you do Jewish: Progressive & Egalitarian

Key Responsibilities

• Rabbinic duties include but are not limited to leading services, planning holiday experiences, weekly minyanim, teaching, preaching, pastoral care, and life-cycle events.
• Promote communal activity and grow our membership.
  • Create personal and meaningful interactions with congregants and the wider community.
  • Inspire Jewish knowledge, understanding, beliefs, and practices.
  • Call on donors as needed.
  • Write a regular column for the community newsletter/website.
• Deliver meaningful sermons that educate, inform, and challenge.
• Guide the Sunday School with curriculum and coordinated programming.
• Provide pastoral care and support to community members during times of joy and sorrow, including but not limited to: Brit Milah, baby namings, B’nei Mitzvah, weddings, hospital visits, funerals, and Shiva services.
• Work in partnership with the management committee, and attend regular Board meetings.
• Develop and facilitate educational and Torah study programs that promote spiritual growth and understanding as well as leading the Intro to Judaism program.
• Work with the Gabbai team to continue to develop knowledge and the ability to provide support for services