Rabbi Careers

Overview

Vassar College

Rachlin Director for Jewish Student Life and Assistant Director Office RSLCP

Department: Religious/Spiritual Life & Contemplative Practices

Duration of Position: Full year / Full time

This position is an 11 month position.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

The Rachlin Director is responsible for religious, spiritual, and cultural leadership of the Jewish student community at the College, and for collaborative leadership within the inter-religious, multi-cultural, and educational program of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practices. The office works closely with its Dean of the College colleagues across Student Growth and Engagement, Student Living and Wellness, and more. This office structure places Jewish life creatively in the midst of the intersectional work the college supports across our cosmopolitan differences. The Rachlin Director reports to the Associate Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practices.

We are now completing our second year as part of Hillel International’s “Organizational Design Lab,” an initiative to bring human-centered design to the work of chaplaincy, an approach we have taken not only within Jewish Life, but also across the office’s inter-religious programs more generally. We seek a team member who can help us build this student-centered approach to expand the range and type of students we engage as an office.

The Rachlin Director serves as a resource and advisor to the campus’s Jewish student communities, and all members of the Vassar community, on issues related to Jewish life, religion, and culture, and balances these primary commitments to Jewish life with general responsibilities for programming, student advising and mentorship, campus partnerships, and college committee work as Assistant Director in the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Contemplative Practices.

Core Responsibilities:

• Advise Jewish student communities, providing leadership development, guidance, education, and support with programming and community involvement, including creative weekly Shabbat and innovative approaches to the full cycle of Jewish holidays.

• Foster a pluralistic ethos. In the spirit of machloket l’shem shamayim (conflict for the sake of heaven), welcome and mediate differing views on Jewish learning, observance, and politics, in order to develop a vibrant cultural, educational, and religious program and help shape a new generation of Jewish leadership skilled in conflict transformation.

• Work collaboratively with campus constituencies in identifying and implementing appropriate support for Jewish life, including coordination with Student Growth and Engagement, Student Living and Wellness, Dining Services, and Alumnae/i.

• Embrace and further the core work of the RSL office, which includes: contributing constructively to our team approach to student-centered programming; developing student leadership; promoting an inter-religious ethos and fluency; encouraging risk-taking relationships within and across our different spiritual communities; exploring partnerships and collaborations; planning and facilitating religious services and seasonal observances; working in close cooperation with the other RSLCP Advisors and Affiliate Advisors; and providing supportive counsel for students/faculty/staff/administration and alumnae/i.

• Participate in campus-wide activities and traditions, including annual RSLCP inter-religious programs; support and initiate new educational programming that furthers individual and community understanding of our spiritual, religious, and secular diversity.

Vassar’s commitment to vibrant Jewish life at the college includes the sense of belonging students find at the Bayit, our home for Jewish student life; the programming endowment we provide for Jewish life; a new kosher-halal dining plan now in its third year at the college; our endowment for the Rachlin director position itself, which includes support for annual professional development; and a new home and hub for the RSLCP office in Pratt House.

An advanced degree (rabbinic or relevant master’s degree) is expected, as is three to five years’ experience in Jewish campus life or other Jewish communal settings. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and compassionate leader, with experience in mentoring and inspiring Jewish young adults in a higher education context. Ability to think critically and creatively about the place of Jewish religious and cultural life in an inter-religious campus setting, as well as about the place of religious life in secular culture. Candidates must be committed to pluralism within Judaism. They will have a thorough knowledge of and engagement with diverse Jewish histories, cultures, traditions, spiritualities, and practices. They will also have the ability to lead, and to help students lead, spirited egalitarian tfillah. Excellent organizational skills, as well as oral, written, and interpersonal communication are expected, as is the ability to display imagination, ingenuity and humor in solving problems, and mentoring students. Ability to work with a diverse student population and demonstrated commitment to foster inclusive communities are expected, as well as the ability to work productively, joyfully, and collegially as part of a team.

Please visit us at https://employment.vassar.edu/. You will be required to attach your cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references with your on-line application. In your cover letter, please share your understanding of religious and spiritual leadership in a secular and pluralistic context. (Word or PDF format required.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion, and respect for difference. Vassar College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.