West Side Institutional Synagogue

Job Description: Rabbi


Synagogue Mission:


The mission of the West Side Institutional Synagogue is to provide a warm, accepting, spiritual environment for the Jewish People. The unique WSIS experience is fueled by a combination of inspiring Torah, beautiful Tefilah, and innovative Programming. WSIS aspires to serve both the individual needs of its congregants as well as the community at large.


Reports To: President of the Board of Trustees

Position Summary:


The Rabbi of the West Side Institutional Synagogue serves as the spiritual leader of one of the leading and most diverse modern orthodox synagogues in the New York area. As the "Mara D'Atrah" of this dynamic, family-oriented congregation, and within the context of the synagogue's mission, the Rabbi will serve as a key figure in leading the WSIS community with inspiration, energy, and commitment, and aspire to become a transformative figure in defining the future of modern orthodoxy. He will be responsible for the full range of educational, pastoral, and communal duties as set forth below.


Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provide a core of Torah learning opportunities for the Kehilla through the delivery of weekly Shabbat morning sermons as well as additional Shiurim and Divrei Torah both throughout Shabbat and on a recurring weekly basis. These (particularly the Shabbat sermons) must be inspirational and relevant, and delivered with a view toward accommodating a full range of levels of learning and divergent philosophies.


  • Be a visible presence at all synagogue services (daily, Shabbat, and Yom Tov). Work with the Gabbai and Ritual Committee in setting policy for the proper conduct of services as well as the selection of occasional scholars-in-residence and guest speakers as required. Set policy and supervise Kashrut standards for the synagogue and its kitchen facilities.


  • Work closely with the synagogue's "young leadership" as an active participant in growing the WSIS community through outreach to new and prospective families.


  • Develop an approach whereby the synagogue becomes an integral part of the Jewish education (Chinuch) of a significant and growing population of youngsters as they progress from pre-school toward bar/bat mitzvah and beyond; serve as a "bridge" between school and synagogue to ensure a seamless educational experience.

  • Be present in proactive and passionate ways at the religious and lifecycle events of the congregation and its members (including marriage, birth, illness, and the passing of loved ones).


  • Serve as the "central address" for addressing halachic questions of a practical, spiritual and/or social nature that may arise from either congregants or the community at large ("paskening shailos").


  • Take a lead role in partnering with the Executive Director and the Chairs of the Programming and Marketing Committees to design, develop, and execute a comprehensive annual calendar of events designed to appeal both to current as well as prospective membership and the community at large.


  • Represent the Kehillah in the greater Jewish community via a) active engagement with the local Board of Rabbis; b) participation in community-wide events (e.g., Yom Hashoah, Yom Yerushalayim, etc.); and c) ongoing relationships with a range of national organizations dedicated to the promulgation of Orthodoxy (e.g., Yeshiva University, the OU), the welfare of the Jewish Community (e.g., Federation), and the State of Israel (e.g., AIPAC).


Candidate Qualifications:


The ideal candidate will:


-- Have received Semicha from a widely recognized Orthodox institution. A  related post-graduate degree is preferred.

-- Have minimum 3-5 years relevant congregational experience.

-- Be non-judgmental and accepting, demonstrating a deep commitment to the WSIS mission of "providing a warm, spiritual environment for the Jewish people".

-- Be learned and able to transmit his significant knowledge of Torah to men and women, boys and girls, of all ages and levels of knowledge.

-- Be an outstanding communicator, able to construct and deliver Drashot in a concise, meaningful, and relevant way.

-- Have an engaging and dynamic personality, proven leadership skills, and strong verbal and written skills.

-- Be friendly, personable, approachable, and able to relate well to others...a "people" person.

-- Demonstrate a strong commitment to the State of Israel.

 


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