Rabbi Careers

Overview

The Wood River Jewish Community is located in Sun Valley, Idaho. We are a community that embraces all Jewish denominations, and we are looking for a versatile, inspirational Rabbi to provide Jewish guidance, education, and leadership to our small (but growing) mountain congregation. The Wood River Jewish Community is more than 40 years old and recently completed the construction of the first synagogue in Central Idaho. While our congregation is considered a “medium-sized congregation” – with more than 200 families, approximately 40% of our congregation lives full-time in the Wood River Valley; the other members of our congregation are seasonal residents who are here part-time in summer and winter. We seek a Rabbi who can serve the varied religious, spiritual, educational, and emotional needs of our members and act as a liaison to the broader community. Therefore, adaptability is essential.

Sun Valley and the surrounding Wood River Valley offer the charm of small-town living and an active lifestyle and are filled with intellectually engaged residents. While Sun Valley was the first ski resort in the United States, it is now also home to many cultural events, including The Sun Valley Summer Symphony and the Sun Valley Writers Conference. Beyond skiing, it is a haven for hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, figure skating, and a wonderful outdoor lifestyle. Different than many mountain towns in the West, where affluence can be offsetting and unwelcoming, Sun Valley and its surrounding towns of Ketchum, Hailey, and Bellevue are warm and welcoming. The entire community, not limited to the Wood River Jewish Community, values public service and philanthropy in the interest of the region and its 15,000 residents. The Wood River Jewish Community is searching for a full-time Rabbi. We would also consider a part-time Rabbi living within the community. June 1, 2023, would be an ideal start date. We expect to dedicate the Wood River Jewish Community’s permanent home and synagogue in December 2022.

Primary Responsibilities
• Provide religious and spiritual leadership to invigorate and energize our community, which includes members at all levels of observance
• Inspire, challenge and encourage all members in their Jewish knowledge, understanding, beliefs, cultural history, and practices
• Create personal and meaningful interactions with congregants and community members
• Promote communal activity
• Actively work to increase membership and participation
• Support the larger vision of the community and be committed to our growth

Bimah and Pastoral Duties
• Lead regular Friday night Shabbat services, including a Zoom option if practical
• Lead Saturday morning services (or other services) for B’nai mitzvah candidates
• Create spiritual and religious content for all Jewish holidays. Work with the Board, Board Committees, and our Executive Director to create appropriate programming around all holidays.
• Write a weekly explanation of the week’s Torah reading for inclusion in the weekly newsletter.
• Write a “Rabbi’s message” for WRJC’s quarterly Shofar newsletter
• Attend monthly Board meetings and provide a Rabbi report
• Work with the Board, Board Committees, and our Executive Director to create a regular rotation of visiting rabbis and cantors
• Encourage strong lay participation, and provide training where necessary
• Coordinate and officiate at the life cycle needs of the community, including B’nai Mitzvah, weddings (including interfaith), baby naming ceremonies, funerals, shiva services, and yahrzeit support
• Coordinate with the Ritual Committee to analyze current ritual practices, tunes, and service activities and make recommendations on ways to modify or innovate services to enhance the prayer and spirituality of our congregation
• Provide spiritual and emotional support to members. Serve as a resource for the community on questions of Jewish law, traditions, and values

Education
• Work with the Board, Board Committees, and our Children’s Education Committee to create a Sunday school experience for our children. Note: total enrollment currently is approximately 25 students ranging in age from 5-13.
• Work with the Board, Board Committees, and our Executive Director to create a robust Adult Education program centered on Jewish religious themes, Jewish education, Jewish history, and Israel, and other timely topics.
• Coordinate with the Children’s Education Committee to develop and deliver educational programs, Shabbat, and holiday programs.
• Work with our Hebrew teacher to prepare B’nai mitzvah candidates, including adult B’nai mitzvah candidates.
• Work with our Shaliach to develop and deliver teen and young adult programming designed to maintain teen/young adult connection and instill pride in our youth in being Jewish.

Tikkun Olam

• Working with the Board, Board Committees, and our Executive Director to organize and lead activities that reflect our community’s commitment to Tikkun Olam. The activities need to include all generational levels of our community.
• Work with the Caring Committee to visit the sick, elderly and bereaved and be in contact, as necessary, with their families, which may be local or distant.

Membership Commitment and Outreach.

• Work with the Membership Committee and the Board to attract and retain new members.
• Help new members integrate with all aspects of WRJC’s communal activities.
• The Rabbi is an important part of the community; builds and grows friendships across the WRJC spectrum. Collaborate with the Executive Director and others to create activities (Dinners? Lunches? Coffee? Hikes? Bike Rides? Snowshoeing?) that introduce members to one another in a community (as opposed to religious) setting.

Community Relationships

• Serve as an ambassador for WRJC to the community at large — non-profit organizations, other religious communities, and other civic groups.
• Foster respectful relationships with other local religious organizations. Administrative Duties
• Maintain regular office hours
• Be available via telephone, email, and text (During reasonable hours)
• Attend Board meetings
• Work with committee chairs and attend committee meetings, as appropriate, which are integral to the Rabbi’s duties (e.g., Ritual, Adult Education, Children’s Education, Caring, Tikkun Olam, Shaliach, Membership).
• Work effectively with the Executive Director.