Rabbi

Based in Brooklyn, NY Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives is a dynamic, independent and aspirationally antiracist Jewish congregation of 454 member households — 590 individual members (our membership is individual, not household-based); as well ~50 non-member partners/spouses and 140 school aged children for a core community of ~800 people. We seek a rabbi with a collaborative leadership style to provide warm, compassionate pastoral care and apply their deep Jewish learning to current community concerns. We seek a partner in making a welcoming, nourishing, joyful American Judaism that brings us together, sustains us through challenging times, and nourishes our work for a better future. This full-time position is for a sole rabbi to serve alongside our sole full-time cantor. Founded in 1993, Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives is a Jewish congregation where doubt can be an act of faith and all hands are needed to build our community. We are Jews of varying sexual orientations, gender identities, races, family arrangements, ages, and Jewish identities and backgrounds. We hold a commitment to ending structural racism and becoming an antiracist congregation, with all the joyful and messy work that entails. Ritual observance is at the heart of our community. We hold weekly Torah study and Shabbat services as well as High Holy Day and other holiday services; offer members support with care and ritual through life-cycle events; provide childrens’ education from early childhood through B’Mitzvah and post-B’Mitzvah programs; and provide adult learning opportunities. We yearn for, and create together, expressions of our Judaism as we grapple with Israel/Palestine, racism and other difficult issues of our day, and we are known for our advocacy, usually in partnership or coalition, for social justice in the communities to which we belong. The rabbi serves as the primary leader of Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, guiding our spiritual, political, and communal practices and programs by identifying community needs and leading us in meeting them with creative ideas informed by deep Jewish learning. Areas of Responsibility: Ritual Community Building, Pastoral Care & Study and Education. Salary Range: $155,000-$195,000 (commensurate with experience) along with a competitive benefits package. The Congregation recognizes that the job of a pulpit rabbi is extraordinary and demanding. At Kolot, the cantor shares all pastoral responsibilities, including life cycle rituals and holidays and – in collaboration with the rabbi – has long led the work of planning and guiding services. Of special note, Kolot has a longstanding and robust practice of lay leaders sharing duties on the bimah, including drashing, leyning, and leading services in the clergy’s absence. They are trained or supported by the clergy to do so. The Board is an active partner with the clergy in setting and managing expectations of both rabbi and cantor so that the individuals in these roles can have the work-life balance that supports a long-term commitment to and presence in these leadership roles. Formal Qualifications: Have received smicha or ordination from a recognized institution or source; Have at least 5 years professional experience in a leadership role preferably at least 3 years as a rabbi in a congregation, with additional experience in rabbinic or non-rabbinic work that has prepared you to: teach, offer pastoral care, work well with a board, staff, and/or volunteers & Have lived, organizational and/or educational experience in antiracist efforts, You have a demonstrated ability and commitment to: Developing and leading creative approaches to Jewish ritual and prayer, including making them accessible and meaningful for Jews with a range of prior experiences and levels of familiarity regarding Jewish customs and practice; Building and maintaining strong relationships with leaders of color, including supporting their leadership and working effectively in multiracial communities; Working effectively with people of all genders, and supporting the leadership of LGBTQ+ people; Providing pastoral care across a wide spectrum of needs; Working and/or leading collaboratively across differences general to American society (such as race, gender identity and sexuality, class, age, immigration status, ability and so forth) and particular to Jewish communities (family background, level of observance, knowledge base, opinions about Israel/Palestine, etc), especially around fostering community cohesion and addressing community conflict; & Lifelong learning. To apply: By January 1, 2025, please submit by email to [email protected]: A resume or CV;  A sample drash/d’var Torah, which may be written (no more than 5 pages) or recording of (no more than 10 minutes) & A written (of no more than 2 pages) or recorded (of no more than 5 minutes) statement of interest in leading our community and examples of how you have demonstrated the abilities and commitments listed above. Please note we will acknowledge receipt of all applications but will not review any applications until after the January 1, 2025 deadline. Position start date: July 2025. https://www.kolotchayeinu.org/rabbi-application. www.kolotchayeinu.org.

(9/13/24)