Assistant Rabbi

Assistant Rabbi

Job description:

The Jewish Community Project (JCP) of Lower Manhattan was founded in 2002 as a grassroots effort to grow Jewish life in downtown NYC. Based in Tribeca, JCP is an open and organic Jewish community that enables individuals and families to become a creative force in the life of the organization through educational, cultural, social, and spiritual experiences. The organization now serves approximately 320 downtown families and individuals, and also operates a prominent Early Childhood Center (ECC) and Hebrew School Project (HSP).

JCP is seeking a creative and passionate Full-time Assistant Rabbi to join the Jewish Community Project team, to serve the community and implement a vision for Jewish Life at JCP. As our second full-time Assistant Rabbi, your mission will be to enhance and expand our community offerings at JCP, to serve as an additional approachable and trusted clergy member for the community, and to serve as a partner to Rabbi Deena Silverstone and the JCP staff. 

What you’ll do:

Your portfolio will be diverse, and you will work within many different program areas and with many stakeholders at JCP including the following:  

• Hebrew School Project (HSP): 
• Serve as the primary rabbinic presence in HSP 
• Work with Director of the HSP to: 
• Develop and implement youth programs both within and outside of Hebrew School hours
• Create and implement curricula
• Teach in classrooms
• B’nai Mitzvah: 
• Work with b’nai mitzvah tutors and b’nai mitzvah team to oversee student preparation for approximately 25 b’nai mitzvah ceremonies per year, including monitoring student progress in Torah chanting, prayer leading, and D’var Torah preparation. 
• Create educational materials for b’nai mitzvah learning (recordings and tikkun) as well as materials (including programs) for ceremonies.
• Work with JCP staff to communicate with families about policies and logistics. 
• Worship: 
• Work with Rabbi and Music Director to lead meaningful and engaging Shabbat services including:
• Friday Evening Services
• Tot Shabbat
• B’nai mitzvah 
• Programming: 
• Plan, attend, and lead holiday and other events for the community 
• Work with JCP staff to brainstorm, develop, and implement new programming, and to enhance existing programming. 
• Develop and lead JCP Young Professionals group, with support from JCP staff. 
• Adult Education: 
• Prepare bi-weekly written Divrei Torah to be sent to the community
• Prepare and teach adult education courses and curricula
• Life Cycle: 
• Officiate at life cycle events, including baby namings, b’nai mitzvah, weddings, funerals, and conversions.
• High Holy Days: 
• Lead full range of High Holy Day experiences, including developing and leading: 
• Youth programs and services
• Tot services
• Adult teaching
• Leadership and participation in main services (including preparation and delivery of sermons and Torah chanting) 
• Pastoral Care:
• Provide pastoral support for JCP community members
• Other tasks as discussed with Rabbi

How your success will be measured:

• Community members report meaningful experiences in their life cycle events, worship services, learning opportunities, and other JCP experiences.
• Smooth running of all aspects of your portfolio with minimal need for intervention.

You could be a great fit for this role if you have:

• Rabbinic Ordination with experience as an intern in a community or congregation. 
• Significant knowledge of Judaism, Jewish customs and culture, with an interest in and commitment to ongoing learning. 
• Interest in serving an unaffiliated Jewish community, whose staff and members range from Orthodox to secular to not Jewish and everything in between. 
• Flexible approach, creativity, and desire to work in an ever-growing community. 
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a polished and professional demeanor.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Alignment with our core values of community, collaboration, and inclusivity.

Why you should be excited:

• Join a unique and vibrant Jewish community that is passionate about inclusivity and pluralism and make a meaningful impact on our continued growth in downtown NYC.
• Be one of the first people in this role and have the opportunity to help define its scope and impact.
• Work closely with a collaborative and passionate Rabbi and staff. 
• Engage in a diverse array of rabbinic tasks every day in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to take on additional projects and responsibilities as you grow in the role. 
• Eventually have the opportunity to travel to Israel semi-annually with community members.

The details:

• Salary: $115,000, commensurate with skills and experience
• Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, vision and dental coverage
• Time Off: 4 weeks PTO, sick days, 10 US holidays (incl. Fri after Thanksgiving) and a number of Jewish holidays
• Please note: this position requires work on the evenings and weekends (including Shabbat and Jewish holidays). 

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to: [email protected] 

JCP Downtown is an equal opportunity employer.