Rabbi

Melville Jewish Center (formerly South Huntington Jewish Center) is searching for a rabbi who aspires to be a connected, caring, and inspirational member of our community. Melville JC has a deep and rich history as a warm and welcoming synagogue, down to earth and abundant in programming. We strive to keep members engaged, active and involved! We are looking for someone who will work with other local rabbis to continue adult educational programming among synagogues (such as the Chai lnstitute), collaborate in programs with the Mid-lsland and Suffolk JCC. re-create a Keruv committee and outreach with programming for interfaith families who may be interested in joining, be a presence and connect with local community-wide programs from the local school districts (HHH and South Huntington), call on local politicians and representatives to communicate issues relevant to the Jewish world and be a presence they can include in local ceremonies and events. An ideal applicant would be a person of impeccable character, steeped in the knowledge and love of Judaism and prayer. with endless enthusiasm. capable of relating to and creating positive relationships with the lay leadership and congregation, working and collaborating with the cantor, the professional staff, the students and faculty of our schools. both RS and our EC programs, as well as having to ability to invigorate our services through meaningful D’vrei Torah. A rabbi should have fresh ideas, creativity. and the energy to initiate programs that will attract and keep young families engaged and strive to stimulate our long-time members. A rabbi should know/learn the “pulse” of the community and the surrounding area, be willing to listen to the history while also looking to the future. An applicant should have organizational skills, computer knowledge and experience in dealing with the greater Jewish community. The rabbi’s personal observance is his or her personal business, however we expect our clergy to be respectful of the minhag of our synagogue and observing the Conservative movement’s dietary and observing guidelines while in the building and during synagogue events as well as conducting themselves appropriately in the community. We are searching for a rabbi to work with our leadership and our congregants through collaboration and mutual respect, assisting and comforting them in good times /simchat) as well as in difficult times (death, sickness, troubles) with compassion. phone calls and visits when appropriate. We are seeking a rabbi with vision, knowledge. and energy to move us into the future. We are making significant strides in re-building from a community with an aging senior and empty-nester population to one with a growing Early Childhood program attracting young families that are moving into the area. An applicant should be innovative and energetic in moving the synagogue forward as it is re-focusing itself. including engaging potential new members and playing a role in bringing new members to the synagogue: envision and create initiatives to engage new and existing members in prayer, education and programming; provide rabbinic leadership while partnering with the cantor during services by delivering a D’vrei Torah and modernizing services while respecting synagogue traditions: provide pastoral care to members in time of need or celebration and become an engaged member of the community; engage and connect with EC and RS members to create personal bonds thereby strengthening (potential) long-term commitment to remain as members after children out of EC and RS; collaborate with the cantor to create vibrant programs for EC and RS Shabbats and holiday events and attend these programs; teach adult education (including continuing the rabbi’s Tuesday morning class) collaborate with EC director: assist in developing fundraising opportunities: conduct and officiate at life-cycle events; educate the congregation in regarding changes in the Conservative movement; maintain a professional demeanor and appearance; attend and appear at synagogue events (when possible). Our expectations are that he/she respect the Melville Jewish Center minhag and Conservative movement guidelines within the building and while acting as rabbi. We do not currently expect/permit our clergy to officiate at lnterfaith weddings. We do not anticipate the rabbi making any distinction in regard to gay marriages as we are an inclusive synagogue. The most important issues that you would like to see the applicant address once he/she is hired is to engage with and get to know the congregation and build relationships across all age levels; create a productive and respectful relationship with the lay leadership by regular meetings/workshops/dialogue for providing history and setting goals and pathways to grow into the future; create and maintain a professional and collaborative relation with the cantor/RS director, EC director and professional staff; improve interfaith outreach and membership recruitment/marketing. The next rabbi should perpetuate our congregation’s strong sense of community and caring. recognizing our very proud history and successes. We want to preserve our synagogue as a place to learn and grow spiritually, a place to make lasting friendships and develop a deep love for lsrael. We want to remain a place where our children are comfortable and easer to come to learn, grow and create their own lasting friendships and develop their Jewish identity. We are a warm and heimish community – welcoming to all. We want the rabbi to preserve our long sense of approachability. We expect our rabbi to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor. Our rabbi should actively support events of the congregation and participate in events of the surrounding community. The rabbi should be a person of high energy, exhibiting a love of Judaism. We want our rabbi to be committed to our community, engaged with our people and inspirational, continuing the feeling of warmth and belonging that our long-time members have come to know and enjoy. We want to retain our identity as being diverse in observance and tradition and be respectful/non-judgmental in practice while maintaining Conservative movement standards. Compensation: – $190, 000-$210,000 (base salary) plus benefits plus parsonage at 14 Burns Avenue, Melville, NY). Full-time. Seeking to fill this position before August 1, 2024. Chair of Search Committee: Roz Rudofsky, [email protected]. http://www.melvillejc.org.

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