Congregation Schara Tzedeck is looking for two dynamic Associate Rabbis to join and grow our Torah Community as a team or as individuals. Both Rabbis are invited to join our new initiative of establishing a Beit Midrash L’Horah.
Schara Tzedeck is the largest and most established Orthodox synagogue in Western Canada and has been a cornerstone of the Vancouver Jewish Community for over 116 years. We have a membership base of over 500 families, beautiful and modernized facilities including banquet halls, kitchens and a mikvah, a supportive and engaged staff, and the shul is financially secure.
The Opportunity
The Associate Rabbis will from their first day have the opportunity to impact and grow our Torah community as well as foster and expand their skills as congregational Rabbis. In addition to giving Halachic instruction/ guidance and giving Shiurim, together, they will be encouraged and supported to develop and implement programming for adults and young adults and engage with our community in Kiruv and Torah education. The Associate Rabbis will benefit from the mentorship and guidance of Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt, our Senior Rabbi of 20 years. The Schara Tzedeck Board of Directors will ensure that the Associate Rabbis are empowered and supported as a team with the resources necessary to achieve great success.
The Vancouver Community
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. There are approximately 30,000 Jews living in the greater Vancouver area. Our Schara Tzedeck community includes many successful professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and academics. Our shul maintains the Eruv, the community mikvah and is an active member of the Beit Din. As well, we administer a cemetery with its own Chevra Kaddisha that services nearly every Jewish burial in the greater Vancouver area. The greater Vancouver Jewish community has ten other established synagogues of diverse denominations, an Eruv, two mikvahs, a kosher butcher, a kosher bakery, five kosher eateries, five kosher caterers, a Torah elementary school, a community elementary school, and a community high school.
Rabbinical Responsibilities
The Associate Rabbis will lead Shiurim and provide pastoral support, spearhead and enhance our adult Torah education programming and lead the B’nai Mitzvah Program. They will also lead outreach/ Kiruv programs with the aim of increasing participation in Minyanim and Shiurim, as well as programs and social activities both within the membership and the larger Jewish community. Our ideal candidates are dynamic, with great interpersonal skills who can develop programs across a range of Jewish education levels, encourage spiritual growth for our members, and engage with the wider community, particularly with our growing population of young families and young professionals.
Beit Midrash L’Horah:
The Vancouver Torah Community is establishing a Beit Midrash L’Horah with a dedicated space and time for our klei kodesh in Vancouver to immerse in torah study. The Associate Rabbi positions will be secured one seder a day, whose time will be considered sacrosanct and part of their core responsibilities. With additional hires in the greater Torah community the Beit Midrash will be initiated with 4 members in the coming year.
Qualifications
• Smicha with the eligibility of membership to the Rabbinic Council of America (RCA) and Torah education scholarship
• Excellent people skills to relate to members of all different ages and backgrounds
• A Hashkafa consistent with our Shul which values and promotes religious Zionism, Modern Orthodoxy, and commitment to Torah study and mitzvot
• Comfort with public speaking and giving Shiurim to diverse audiences
• A creative approach to envisioning programs and the ability to make them successful
• Capability to inspire, teach and even challenge, all with a tone and spirit that is respectful, inclusive, warm, welcoming and non-judgmental
Compensation
The salary package is commensurate with experience, and includes health benefits and support for relocation expenses. We will also provide assistance with securing accommodation.
Apply now
To apply to this opportunity, please send your cover letter, CV, and a 2 to 5 minute Dvar Torah video to careers@scharatzedeck.com prior to January 31, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.