Associate University Chaplain for the Jewish Community & Senior Jewish Educator
Brown RISD Hillel
Role Overview
Brown University and Brown RISD Hillel jointly seek an inspiring rabbinic leader to help engage, mentor, and educate Jewish students at Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year. The Associate University Chaplain / Senior Jewish Educator will be responsible for helping to shape a vital and deeply engaged Jewish community on campus, elevating Jewish culture and religious practice, and infusing the University’s ecosystem with Jewish ambiance and wisdom. Situated in a dynamic intellectual and creative campus environment, the position requires deep Jewish knowledge, innovative thinking, and an eagerness to connect with members of two adjacent campus communities. The Associate University Chaplain / Senior Jewish Educator is also an advocate for multi-faith/cultural understanding and cooperation, and works with the Chaplain of the University, the Associate Chaplains for Christian and Muslim Life, the Religious Life Affiliates and the student Multi-Faith Council to promote multi-faith/cultural cooperation, tolerance, and understanding.
The Associate University Chaplain / Senior Jewish Educator roles are concurrent with and contingent upon each other and jointly report to the Chaplain of Brown University and Executive Director of Brown RISD Hillel. The primary responsibilities of the Brown and the Hillel positions overlap substantially and will often be enacted jointly.
Responsibilities
Engagement
- Seek out opportunities to engage a diverse breadth of Jewish students in Jewish life, providing them with access points to Jewish identity, community, and meaning
- Be an approachable and inspirational presence on campus, infusing the university ecosystem with Jewish ambiance
- Leverage Jewish teachable moments whenever they appear, within the Hillel building and around campus
- Connect students to resources and opportunities in the broader Jewish community – in Rhode Island, across the country, and around the world
Chaplaincy
- Serve and represent the Jewish community on campus
- Advocate for Jewish life on campus and promote the acceptance of religious observance at Brown
- Anticipate possible calendar conflicts between Jewish observances/events and the University calendar or academic requirements and work, whenever possible, with the University to change such anticipated University conflicts; when conflicts are unavoidable, advise students and assist the community in anticipating and planning for such conflicts
- Represent the Chaplains in various university and community functions
- Provide pastoral care for the Jewish community at Brown, including religious services, student advising, and crisis intervention
- Advocate for multi-faith/cultural understanding and cooperation; work with other chaplains, religious life affiliates, and student Multi-Faith Council to promote cooperation, tolerance, and understanding
- Attend or present at programs sponsored by other faith communities on campus or in the broader Providence and New England community
- Attend Office of Chaplains and Religious Life (OCRL) staff meetings; initiate regular meetings, briefings, and consultations with the University Chaplain and other OCRL colleagues
Jewish Observance
- Ensure a pluralistic and welcoming atmosphere by strengthening, participating in, and expanding the multiple prayer and learning options created at BRH
- Mentor and serve as a Jewish resource for BRH student initiatives
- Collaborate with senior BRH team to coordinate, implement, and evaluate all aspects of Shabbat, Jewish holiday programming, and observances at Brown and RISD, including High Holidays and Passover
- Attend and participate in Shabbat and holiday celebrations at BRH
Education
- Collaborate with senior BRH team to shape an overarching Jewish educational strategy
- Offer opportunities for students to engage in traditional text study around topics reflective of their own existing passions and questions
- Cultivate one-on-one chevrutah and small-group chaburot
- Serve as a Jewish educational resource for BRH staff and the Brown and RISD communities at large
- Staff Birthright Israel trips and alternative break trips
- Support staff efforts to engage students with Israel, actively supporting Israel as the Jewish homeland
Community
- Act as a strong Jewish voice on all things Jewish and Israel related at Brown and RISD, providing a Jewish perspective to campus media and individual student groups, particularly involving sensitive topics
- Maintain relationships with other campus Jewish, religious, and cultural groups
- Serve as a rabbinic resource for alumni and parents and actively maintain connections with each constituency
- Participate visibly in the life of Brown and RISD through attending major campus events, including lectures, athletic events, student activities, etc.
- Represent Hillel and Brown in the local and national Jewish community through rabbinical organizations, participating in community functions and other activities as appropriate
Administration
- Manage parts of the BRH budget that relate to the responsibilities described in this job description
- Participate in aspects of BRH’s development and fundraising efforts, as guided by the Executive Director and development team
- Participate in BRH staff meetings and board meetings and attend national Hillel conferences
Preferred Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities
- Rabbinic ordination from an accredited institution
- An approachable, dynamic, energetic, and engaging personality
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Strong skills in text study, liturgy, and pastoral issues
- Instinct for entrepreneurship
- Clear and effective verbal and written communications
- Administrative, communication, supervisory, and social networking skills
- Skill and comfort in a technology-rich environment, including strong social media acumen
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines
- Leadership skills for the continued development of a major campus presence in a multi-faith and multicultural environment
- Appreciation for and ability to collaborate with a diverse, intelligent, creative group of students, colleagues, and community members
- Ability to work flexible hours to complete job requirements, including nights, weekends, and holidays
- Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team
- Prior experience working with college students, with informal/experiential education, and in a pluralistic setting
About Brown RISD Hillel
Brown RISD Hillel, the center for Jewish life at both Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, is an integral part of campus religious, social, cultural, educational, and political life. Brown RISD Hillel provides an open, warm, and pluralistic environment in which students can shape their college experience by connecting spiritually, socially, and culturally to their Judaism and fortify their connections to Israel. Its mission is to provide students with a strong, deeply rooted Jewish identity, to prepare some of the world’s most talented young people to take their place in the wider Jewish world. Brown RISD Hillel has a long tradition of strong student leadership, whose voice has been and continues to be critical in shaping the vibrant Jewish community of College Hill since Hillel’s founding at Brown in 1947. Brown RISD Hillel is based out of the award-winning Glenn and Darcy Weiner Center, a 25,000 square foot facility in the heart of Brown’s campus. Offering a full kosher meal plan and weekly Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Havurah services, Brown RISD Hillel emphasizes Israel, Jewish arts, social action, and Jewish life and learning.
Brown RISD Hillel is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.
About Providence
Providence, Rhode Island’s ‘Creative Capital’, is home to seven institutions of higher learning, including Brown and RISD. With a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse ‘walking’ neighborhoods, and a renowned restaurant scene, Providence offers sophisticated yet affordable city living, with easy access to Boston (1 hour) and New York (3 hours). There are approximately 18,000 Jewish residents of Rhode Island. The beautiful and historic East Side of Providence alone is home to two Jewish day schools, the Jewish Community Center, and many synagogues, all within walking distance of Brown RISD Hillel.
About Hillel International
In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.
Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.