Employment Opportunities with the Society for Humanistic Judaism
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Employment Opportunities in the Humanistic Jewish Movement
Oraynu Congregation for Humanistic Judaism – Rabbi
Job Description
July 2020
Nurture and build Oraynu as a thriving community in a manner consistent with Secular Humanistic Judaism;
Provide Oraynu members a strong sense of Jewish identity and belonging to a community that gives secular Jews a voice in a diverse world;
THROUGH
a) Spiritual and philosophical leadership, and pastoral support
b) Program development and execution
Responsibilities
General
• Liaise to the broader community
• Actively strive to create a culture of harmony, tolerance and inclusiveness among members
• Encourage wide participation by Oraynu members in congregational activities and events by recommending / establishing committees and working with individual members
• Participate in activities and committees charged with encouraging the retention of members
• Participate in raising the profile and visibility of Oraynu, and its philosophy of Secular Humanistic Judaism.
• Contribute articles to the congregation’s newsletter and other publications, as appropriate
• Communicate openly and regularly through established channels with Oraynu’s Board of Directors, Philosophical Review Committee, School Committee and staff
• Participate with and advise the appropriate committees in hiring and evaluating staff needed to deliver the educational, cultural and liturgical services of the congregation, with the exception of the positions for which the School Principal and YFD is (are) responsible
• Participate in outreach activities for attracting prospective new members to Oraynu.
Spiritual and Philosophical Leadership
• Chair the Philosophical Review Committee which determines the philosophical direction for all of the congregation’s educational and cultural curricula, programs, position statements, publications and the liturgy and observances for the Jewish holidays and life cycle events
• Recommend which holidays / festivals that the congregation celebrates and take a lead role in preparing and / or reviewing the liturgy and observances for these adult observances
• Create and deliver an address at major Oraynu events, such as the B’nai Mitzvah ceremony, High Holiday services, the family Seder and others
• Participate in the Children’s School by attending periodically (e.g. on special occasions and holidays) to observe and to maintain a Rabbinic presence with the school-children.
• In conjunction with the YFD provide at least one congregation-wide event each year.
Pastoral Support
• Provide pastoral care to congregants, as requested and as available, including offering comfort to the bereaved and ill in accordance with the Board policy which defines the basis for “free services” and “fee-for-service”.
• Counsel congregants on spiritual and philosophical issues, as requested and as available, when requested, in accordance with the Board policy which defines the basis for “free services” and “fee-for-service”
Programming
• Develop and implement a program of educational, cultural, social action and community service activities for adult members in consultation with the appropriate congregational committees
Skills and Attributes
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to represent the Humanistic Jewish values of the congregation (internally and externally)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to lead staff including the building of collaborative teams, working in partnership with volunteer Boards and committees and developing relationships with a multitude of diverse community institutions
• Planning and organizational skills with the ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives
• Ability to manage, mediate and resolve conflicts coupled with an ability to promote constructive interpersonal communication and dynamics
• Commitment to the philosophy of Secular Humanistic Judaism
• Commitment to the strength and growth of Oraynu Congregation
• Personal passion for Humanistic Jewish learning, values and community life
Qualifications
• Spiritual Leader: Ordained or otherwise recognized by an established Jewish seminary or appropriate rabbinic training program
• Program Director: Experience developing and leading programs that align to an organization’s tenets
Contact: Louise Sherman, louisejay@hotmail.com, 416-459-7890
Employment Opportunities in Secular Movement Organizations
Secular Student Alliance (on-going)
The Secular Student Alliance lists positions available throughout the secular movement. Click here to find listings for jobs and internships.