Update on Assistant/Associate Rabbinic Search Process

Update on Assistant/Associate Rabbinic Search Process.

Over the past month, the Search Committee has received approximately 25 resumes for this position. Many of the resumes have come through the placement committee of the Center for the Jewish Future of Yeshiva University, which coordinates the placements of candidates from Yeshiva University, the Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Union. We have also received resumes forwarded to us by members, as well as unsolicited resumes that have been sent in by mail. The candidates range in age, experience and educational background. Most are married and some of them have children as well. They have previously served as rabbinic interns, assistant rabbis, associate rabbis and even a few rabbis. They come from small communities and large synagogues comparable to our own.

After several multi hour meetings, the Search Committee has narrowed the choices down to eight candidates. In the most general of terms, the committee focused on younger candidates with a strong secular educational background and with solid rabbinic experience. The committee also looked for candidates who would be a good match for our community and who shared the philosophical ideology of a modern orthodox community, a strong commitment to Israel and an openness and tolerance for all Jews, regardless of where they might be on the spectrum of religious growth. The committee was also interested in those candidates who have developed a significant depth of Jewish learning and who have solid reputations as speakers and teachers.

These candidates will be meeting the search committee over the next four weeks for intensive interviews. The committee will be looking for how closely the candidate matches his resume and how he interacts and handles himself in a group of people. They will also be asking a number of probing questions to gain a deeper understanding of the candidate’s views and personality. At the end of the interview process the search committee will invite three or four candidates to visit our community on Shabbat (the weekends following Pesach) and every member of the community will have an opportunity to meet, hear and get to know the candidates. After each visit the input of the synagogue membership will be requested to aid the search committee in its determination. Some time after the final visit the Search Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees and to the membership.

As always, please feel free to submit any thoughts you may have to assistantrabbisearch@gns.org, or speak directly to any member of the search committee.

UPDATE ON ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE RABBI SEARCH.

UPDATE ON ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE RABBI SEARCH

The following job description is a general overview of what our shul is looking for in a candidate.  The list of responsibilities and qualifications reflect the general consensus among the committee members, as influenced by your comments and the advice of Yeshiva University.   The job description is meant to cast a wide net in an attempt to attract the most outstanding Rabbis.  It is not an exhaustive list, nor does it limit what we are looking for in a potential candidate.  The interview process will be the best time to address the specific, more nuanced needs of our congregation.  As always, you can send your comments and suggestions to assistantrabbisearch@gns.org where it will be read and considered by the committee members.

The job description is currently being circulated through several channels intended to have the broadest reach for potential candidates. Resumes are already being collected by the committee and promising candidates are being identified. We anticipate that this initial stage of the process will take 3-4 weeks after which the most qualified candidates will be interviewed by the committee. If you know of any candidates who might be interested, ask them to contact Rabbi Ronald Schwartzberg at Yeshiva University or mail a resume to Mr. Howard Silberstein, 77 Brooklyn Terminal Market, Brooklyn, NY 11236-1511

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A prominent orthodox synagogue with over 550 member families is looking for an experienced candidate to join its Rabbinic Team as either an Assistant or Associate Rabbi. Located in a large and highly active Jewish community with several yeshivot, multiple orthodox synagogues and numerous kosher restaurants close to New York City, the 60 year old shul is considered a pillar of its community.  The shul is also known for its very warm, inclusive atmosphere, one that has attracted a growing number of young families and as such boasts a vibrant youth department.  The congregational makeup covers a spectrum of ages and religious backgrounds.  Pervasive within the kehila is a tremendous love and support for Medinat Yisrael, and a dedication to chesed and tikun olam.

This is a full time position; however, the synagogue would consider permitting limited outside employment in a related field.  Working both independently and alongside the Rabbi, the candidate will be required to perform various religious, educational, congregational and administrative responsibilities, including:

Religious Responsibilities:

• Attend daily and shabbat minyanim
• Give a sermon each Shabbat morning in either the Beit Midrash or main Synagogue; and on Rosh HaShanna, Yom Kippur and Yom Tovim
• Poskin on individual questions
• Be involved in pastoral duties and all life-cycle events such as funerals, weddings, brisim, shiva homes, bikur cholim and bar/bat mitzvahs

Educational Responsibilities:

• Prepare and deliver weekly shiurim
• Organize and conduct educational programming, including weekly classes and a summer learning program

Congregational Responsibilities:

• Develop relationships with congregants of all ages, especially young families, potential members, and college students
• Organize informal gatherings for ruach and Divrei Torah, such as a Purim Tisch, and at other opportune times throughout the year
• Supervisory role over youth program

Responsibilities Designated by Senior Rabbi:

• Assist Senior Rabbi with specified administrative duties and with other projects as needed
• Fill in for the Senior Rabbi whenever he is not available

The candidate must have a college degree and smicha.  The candidate must also have pulpit experience as a Rabbinic Intern, Associate or Assistant Rabbi. An energetic, charismatic, dynamic speaker with exceptional people skills is also a necessity.  The successful candidate should be comfortable paskening on individual questions within the guidelines of the general shul psak.  To this effect, the candidate must be able to work independently but also accept mentoring and direction. Because this new addition to the Rabbinic Team will be instrumental in cultivating relationships with young families and new members, the candidate and his wife and family should be enthusiastic about opening their home to these congregants on a regular basis.

Compensation: The shul is offering an excellent compensation package for the right candidate, which includes a generous salary commensurate with experience, health benefits and residence in a shul-owned house in the neighborhood.

Letter to Judge Doris L. Downs

Below is a copy of the letter that I sent to Judge Downs following my sermon on Parshat Emor:

The Honorable Judge Doris L. Downs
Chief Judge, Fulton County Superior Court
185 Central Ave, SW
Justice Center Tower
Suite T-7955/Courtroom 7F
Atlanta, GA  30303

Dear Judge Downs:

Although we have never met, I would consider such a future occurrence to be a great privilege. I serve as the rabbi of Great Neck Synagogue, a modern orthodox congregation in Great Neck, New York, with a membership of close to 600 families. Last week you were the topic of my sermon.

I spoke to the congregation about courageous behavior and how our tradition supports doing the right thing even when it might be unpopular. Although the sermon was based on biblical and rabbinic sources, I used your actions in accommodating the religious needs of the Maimonidies School from Massachusetts in the recent National Mock Trial competition, as a modern example of just such behavior. Your actions were communicated to me not only as an expression of your understanding of the law, but also as an example of a professionally difficult decision made with great courage and compassion. For that and for the example you have set, I and my congregation are grateful.

Thank you for reinforcing the legal and moral values of this great country in which we are privileged to live.

Very cordially yours,

Rabbi Dale Polakoff

New Saturday Afternoon Class

As Shabbat afternoon grows longer, Great Neck Synagogue is pleased to offer you two learning opportunities to help fill your time and your mind.

1)      Talmud Shiur - our ongoing shiur in Masechet Avodah Zarah continues to meet one hour before Mincha every Shabbat afternoon. Come and immerse yourselves in the intricacies of Talmudic logic and reasoning and develop a greater depth and appreciation for classical Talmud study.

2)      NEW Pirkei Avot Shiur - 45 minutes before Mincha each Shabbat afternoon between tomorrow and Shavuot, come join us as we delve into the wisdom of Pirkei Avot. Each Shabbat a section from the chapter of that week will be analyzed in depth offering new insights into making the lessons of Pirkei Avot a part of our everyday living.

Both classes are open to men and women and both will be taught by Rabbis Polakoff, Axelrod and Weinberg on a rotational basis. We hope to see you - starting May 2!

Dinner Video

A Dinner Video highlighting the past dinner is available on the home page in the featured video section.

Israel Responds

After years of absorbing more than 10,000 missles, Israel has responded to the threat Hamas presents to the citizens of Israel, and to the stability of the entire Middle East. We need to be supportive of Israel in these efforts to defend herself and to dismantle the terrorist threat of Hamas, and we need to be grateful for the unparalleled support Israel has received from the United States, and especially from President Bush. So what can we do:

1) As always, Israel, her soldiers and citizens have to be in our daily prayers. Add a chapter of tehilim to your davenning, and dedicate yourself to greater involvement in mitzvot, greater generosity in tzedakah and a greater commitment to Torah study and chesed.

2) Be informed, and be an advocate for Israel. The battle rages on, not only in Gaza, but in the streets of cities throughout the world, and increasingly, even here in our own country and city. It rages in the newspapers and on the internet, in chat groups and in the blogosphere. We need to be the voice that defends the actions of Israel, that presents in a reasonable and rationale way the right of Israel to defend her citizens and to fight this terrorism. For your information I’ve included here a publication from AIPAC that will give you the background and the arguments you need to be effective and to have your voice heard.

3) Express your gratitude to the leadership of the United States. They have been a true friend of a democratic Israel trying to survive in a really bad neighborhood, and that friendship should not be taken for granted. Send an email to President Bush and let him know that we appreciate the support of the United States. I’ve also included here a statement from AIPAC on that support.

Finally, there are many sources that can provide important background for us in this effort to support Israel. Please send us a comment with your sources referenced and we’ll post it for the benefit of our membership.

Video update

A new featured video has been posted to the site.

Thoughts on the Madoff scandal

There’s no question that the larger Jewish community in general and the Orthodox community in particular is reeling from the recent revelations of the Madoff scandal. Everywhere one turns there’s commentary on the scandal, from the excessive greed that blinded some of the most astute investors, to the power of personality and reputation, to the incompetence of government organizations charged with protecting the public from this type of scandal.

There’s also no question that this is a terrible chilul Hashem. Whether Madoff was identifiably Orthodox or not, he is clearly identified with the lay leadership of the Orthodox world. That someone in such a position could ruin so many lives and steal from so many charitable organizations helping both Jew and non-Jew, ranks among the most egregious examples of chilul Hashem.

And this is bound to fuel the flames of anti-semitism, not only here in the United States, but around the world as well. Financial scandals of this magnitude don’t happen every day. One of our members sent me an article from Ha’aretz that speaks to just this point. You can click here for the article.

So how much do we have to beat ourselves up about Bernie Madoff. Is this indicative of a pervasive lack of ethics in the Jewish (read, Orthodox) community, just another incident like Chasidic money laundering, Yeshiva corruption, and Postville (I don’t mean to minimize any of these). Is there something that we are doing wrong, are our values as a community corrupt, is our education deficient? Or, do we say that our community has bad apples like any other community and that just because this guy happened to be involved in the Jewish community, its not an indictment of the community or an indication of something intrinsically wrong with our values?

I’d like to hear what you have to say. Leave a comment below, and inspire some conversation about this important subject.