Rabbinic Search

January 27, 2012

Dear Fellow Congregants,

As you may know, B’nai Torah’s Board of Directors has initiated the formation of the Rabbinic Search Committee for the purpose of identifying a special rabbi who will lead us for many years to come.  I’m honored to have been asked to serve as Search Committee Chair.

I’m pleased to inform you that our Rabbinic Search Application was accepted by the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and we have just received our first batch of resumes.

The search will be conducted within guidelines established by the CCAR and Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). This will be B’nai Torah’s first rabbinic search ever conducted under CCAR and URJ auspices. We joined the URJ to take advantage of the many programs and services they offer to member congregations.  Membership will also enable us to choose from a large pool of experienced union trained rabbis that have never been available to B’nai Torah in the past.

The process of filling out the Rabbinic Search Form provided opportunities for open and frank discourse within the Search Committee with regard to defining the congregation’s mission and goals.  The application forced us to confront the immediate challenges facing our congregation.  It required us to identify our priorities, strengths, weaknesses and ultimately what attributes we will look for in our new rabbi.

The Rabbinic Search Committee is representative of the diversity within our congregation including longstanding members and newer members with young families.  I’ve encouraged Committee members to discuss the search process and status of the search with congregants.  They will provide information as to the qualifications and personal attributes we are seeking in our Rabbi.  I have asked them to refrain from speaking about specific candidates and hope you will understand.  The Search Committee members will be listed on our website along with short bios for your review.

The Search Committee will review all applications, conduct phone interviews, observe candidates working at their current congregations and perform discreet background research prior to recommending 3 candidates for final consideration by the board and ultimately the congregation.  A series of open meetings will be scheduled for the purpose of introducing each candidate to the membership and providing a forum to ask questions prior to the final selection.  We expect there will be an opportunity for each Rabbi to conduct a Torah Study session that will be open to all.

I can assure you that Rabbi Sommer will be considered for the position once we have reviewed all candidates provided by the Rabbinic Placement Office.  It should be noted that Rabbi Sommer fully supports the process and feels it will benefit our congregation.  

We have started the process of self evaluation and addressing challenges that lie ahead for our congregation.  Hopefully, this process will usher in a new era of communication and connectivity within our membership that will lead to the reinvigoration of B’nai Torah.  Finally, please let your board members or office staff know if you’re interested in getting more involved with B’nai Torah.  There are many areas where your talents and enthusiasm can be put to use.

I am available to answer questions and listen to your thoughts. The best way to contact me is via email at hillel@konik.com.  I will make every effort to reply as soon as possible.

Respectfully,

Hillel Singer