Senior Rabbi

KBI is a mid-sized congregation with traditional ritual practices and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We welcome and involve all Jewish people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, or ability. We welcome non-Jews who want to learn about congregational life or who support family members who are Jewish, or who are exploring the idea of becoming Jews. Lifecycle services are available for individuals and all types of families. People of all abilities regularly participate in our programs and services.  Our new Rabbi will lead a congregation that is strong, modern, Zionist, egalitarian and rooted in halachic traditions. They will help shape a Conservative congregation for the future. Our Rabbi is our Mara D’atra, teacher and spiritual leader. The Rabbi leads the professional staff, including our respected Cantor and our newly hired Director of Youth and Education Programming. The Rabbi also works in close collaboration with the Executive Director who leads the administrative staff.   We highlight four top responsibilities of our new Rabbi:   Leadership, Membership, Education & Pastoral Care. KBI’s new Rabbi will have strong leadership skills and will be highly personable, willing to connect with people of all ages. We are searching for a leader with vision and drive to steer our diverse, well-educated congregation. The successful candidate will use a range of leadership skills to build on current programs and develop initiatives. Through words, teaching, ideas and actions, the Rabbi will engage congregation members and associates of different ages and levels of Jewish knowledge. They will inspire the congregation through sermons, education opportunities, program ideas, and a personal commitment to leading an authentic Jewish life. As a caring and empathetic individual, our new Rabbi will be a good listener, skilled at providing pastoral care and counselling to members of all ages. With an approachable and mature manner, they will make congregants feel comfortable and will guide people through important life events. Our new Rabbi will enjoy meeting KBI members and their families, listening and responding to them directly. As a strong educator, our new Rabbi will aim to expand congregational understanding and reflection. For example, short divrei Torah during daily and Shabbat services will be a natural way of inspiring minyan participants. Our new Rabbi will focus on creating attractive programs that connect young families to synagogue life. This could include expanding our B’nai Mitzvah program, along with our Cantor, to build Jewish identity in our youth. The Rabbi will also provide high-quality opportunities for adults who seek Jewish knowledge as part of life-long learning.  It will be essential for the new Rabbi to know the congregation in all its diversity, listen to needs and dreams, and identify improvements or changes. Some will be in areas of ritual, where the participation of the Ritual Committee will be essential. Some will be in the myriad program activities that make up a modern synagogue, such as improving bikur cholim, communications, social action and education. In all areas, there will be lay members who are helpful and ready for effective leadership.   Our new Rabbi will foster a positive and inclusive organizational culture. They will develop and inspire lay leaders and volunteers to take on new roles and Responsibilities.  Focusing on the future, KBI will welcome ideas from the new Rabbi who may identify options for people who do not find meaning in traditional services, but seek spiritual strength from other forms of study and prayer (perhaps in Shabbat learning options). Opportunities for those who feel less included are also desirable. All of these potential initiatives are balanced by the reality that many congregants continue to be comfortable with traditional services. The challenge is to ‘broaden the offering’ within a halachic framework. Our Bylaw states: “The Senior Rabbi shall comport him/herself in accordance with the laws and traditions of Conservative Judaism as determined by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.” Our previous Rabbis have chosen to live within walking distance of the synagogue; we have not made that a job requirement. Our hope is that our new Rabbi will lead us in understanding the impacts of societal change on Jewish life. The Rabbi will help to guide the congregation both spiritually and practically to find balance between tradition and renewal. A close understanding of the halachic roots to our rituals will be essential, as will good knowledge of Torah, Talmud and Rabbinic literature, and contemporary writing. We expect our clergy to decline to officiate at interfaith weddings. We would expect clergy to choose to officiate at gay marriages, as recommended by the USCJ. The Rabbi, Cantor (and to some extent, the President) serve as the public face of KBI in the Jewish and broader community, attending and speaking at events, as required. The Rabbi is invited to collaborate with Jewish community partners to identify and address needs and priorities of our wider community. As the largest synagogue in a city with 15,000 Jews and network of institutions, our Rabbi can become an active leader in the broader Jewish and civic communities. This will have the added benefit of building synagogue pride and strengthening membership. Compensation and benefits will be specified and paid in Canadian dollars (CA$). The salary range is CA $193,000 to $222,000 and the total compensation range is CA$227,000 to CA$258,000. Note that the salary range is relevant to candidates with sufficient experience to fulfill the role of Senior Rabbi in a congregation with over 500 member families. Less experienced candidates may be considered at initially lower compensation. The synagogue provides the Rabbi with a very comprehensive benefits package which includes all of the following: Pension contribution, Hospitalization for the Rabbi and family, Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance, Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, Allowance for Conferences and Continuing Education, Rabbinical Assembly Annual Dues, Vacation, Day School Tuition, Camp Ramah, Automobile allowance & Other allowances are also available for moving expenses, legal fees related to immigration (if necessary) and for hosting guests in the Rabbi’s home. As these cannot be accurately costed at this time, they are not included in the total compensation figure above. The synagogue does not own any housing. While we are not limiting our search to members of the Rabbinical Assembly, it will be an asset if a candidate is a member or realistically pursuing membership in that organization. While we are searching for someone with sufficient Rabbinic experience to fill the role of Senior Rabbi in a congregation of our size, we are certainly willing to consider applicants with less experience who show promise of being able to “grow into” the position. Seeking to fill this position before: July 2024. Full-time. Contact: Chairs of Search Committee: Sarah Morgan and Gustave Goldman. Candidates should address all correspondence to: [email protected]. https://kehillatbethisrael.com

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