United Synagogue Job Description
JOB TITLE: Assistant Rabbinic Couple for Youth and Young Families
2 Years fixed term contract (with the possibility of renewal at the end of that period)
LOCATION: Golders Green Synagogue - 41 Dunstan Road, London NW11 8AE
WORKING HOURS: 25 hours per week including weekends and some evenings
The community understands that this is a part-time role and will work with the successful applicants to ensure a workload balance which will enable them to take other part-time work as required
ANNUAL SALARY: Up to £20,000 plus accommodation to be provided in the Golders Green area
REPORTS TO: Chair or Acting Chair and mentored by Senior Rabbi
MENTORING: Mentoring and support for the personal development of the appointee will be undertaken by the senior Rabbi
BENEFITS: 20 days holiday, plus Statutory Bank Holidays & Jewish festivals when they fall on your normal working day
Childcare Vouchers
Workplace Pension
JOB SUMMARY: The new post of part-time Rabbinic Couple is intended to expand and complement the range of religious, spiritual, cultural and communal services provided by the incumbent Rabbi and his wife. The appointees will have particular responsibility for youth development, the support of young families and newer members and a leadership role with the women in the community, but will also be expected to contribute to the pastoral care of all members of the community
JOB PURPOSE: To support the ongoing development of our community in particular as a welcoming environment for young families, youth and children
To contribute to the religious, spiritual and pastoral care and leadership of our community as it continues to grow
INTRODUCTION
The appointment of Rabbi Belovski in 2003, provision of a range of facilities and services for toddlers and children, the establishment of the Rimon Jewish Primary School on synagogue land in 2012 and an ambitious redevelopment programme has led to a significant increase in membership, particularly among young families. With all these developments, a Rabbinic Couple is required to focus on the new members, particularly young families and youth.
The Board has recently reviewed the needs of what is a rapidly changing community. This appointment is intended to respond to a number of issues identified including more focus on leadership for the women in the community, the emerging needs of the young families that have recently joined and the need to better integrate them into the community, youth provision and a growing toddler and young children population. As the community grows additional rabbinic support is also needed. Other issues not specifically supported by this appointment include more work with the older members of the community which is being addressed separately.
Golders Green Synagogue is a long-established constituent congregation within the United Synagogue. The community was established in 1915 and the current building in Dunstan Road opened its doors in 1922. A major expansion that increased seating capacity to c1500 was completed in 1927. Demographic changes and a huge expansion in the type and nature of new orthodox Jewish communities that sprang up in NW London led to a progressive decline in membership from the late 1960’s which is now being reversed. The community currently has just over 600 members. As well as our main services including daily minyan, we operate four different children’s programmes (for different age groups) each Shabbat.
KEY TASKS, RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
The Rabbinic Couple will work with the newer members of the community particularly the young families that have joined through Rimon and the Rabbi’s wife will engage more widely with the women of the community and will receive support in undertaking specific projects for and with women members. The Rabbinic couple will be expected to work for the community in the following ways:
New Members and Young Families
· To be responsible for the provision of close support and guidance to newly joined members and to young families
· To ensure that new members and young families are made to feel welcome within the community
· To ensure that new members and young families engage with the community
· To promote the interests of new members and young families within the community
· To develop the community’s links with Rimon Jewish Primary School
Youth & Children
• To support and enhance the continued development of a range of religious events and services for children and youth, in order to maintain their engagement, interest and involvement.
• To engage and involve the parents and families of young children, in order to enhance their role within the community
• To engage directly with the youth of the community to inspire, educate and excite them about Judaism
• To take a special interest in the religious development of the children and youth of the community
• To promote the interests of youth and children within the community
Working with the Women in the community
· To work with the community to develop learning opportunities at different levels to engage the women of the community
· To provide female spiritual support where necessary
· To work with the senior Rabbi’s wife in educating Bat Mitzvah girls
· To work with the senior Rabbi’s wife in educating brides
· To work with the female youth post Bat Mitzvah to help them engage on their spiritual journey
Rabbinic Support: The Rabbi will be expected to contribute to:
Religious and Spiritual Leadership
· Work closely with the senior Rabbi to share in the provision of the full range of Orthodox Jewish communal religious services and worship, in accordance with customs and practices of the United Synagogue
· Wherever possible to provide rabbinic cover for the absence of the senior Rabbi on other duties and, barring unforeseen circumstances, to plan and co-ordinate his own periods of leave with those of the senior Rabbi
· Seek advice and confer with, as appropriate, the senior Rabbi, the Gabboyim and the Executive in the execution of the duties of the post
· Work with, advise and support the Gabboyim in the discharge of their duties and in the smooth running of synagogue services and religious activities throughout the year
Religious Education and Instruction
· To share and participate with the senior Rabbi in the provision of religious, spiritual and halachic guidance
· To share and participate with the senior Rabbi in the provision of educational events for members of the community
· To share and participate with the senior Rabbi in providing religious educational input to the Rimon School
Pastoral Activities
· To share and participate with the senior Rabbi in the provision of pastoral care to all members of the synagogue – particularly at times of illness or bereavement
· To contribute when possible to the welfare of senior members of the congregation
Community building
· Support the drive to increase membership of the synagogue
· Act as an advocate for the congregation when outside the community
· Devise, promote and implement religious, social and cultural communal events
· Further the aims of the United Synagogue and US central and Tribe events
GENERIC DUTIES
· Committed to the aims of the United Synagogue and act as an ambassador for the organisation
· Comply with the United Synagogue’s policy and procedures and code of expectations
· Bring to the attention of senior staff any health and safety requirements that become obvious. In the event of any immediate danger, to take the appropriate action to reduce risk to physical danger to employees, members, contractors, volunteers, children, parents, visitors or staff
· Work collaboratively with other colleagues across the organisation to ensure the United Synagogue can achieve its vision, mission, and strategy
· Undertake appropriate training with P’eir, Tribe and the RCUS as requested by your line manager in conjunction with the Human Resources Department and be committed to own continuous professional development
· Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Chief Executive or other designated senior staff, undertaking such other duties that occasionally fall within the purpose of the post
· Maintaining high levels of discretion and confidentiality at all times
· This job description and person specification is not prescriptive; it merely outlines the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the key tasks and responsibilities are subject to change, any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder
· This Job Description is subject to alteration in response to the changes in legislation or The United Synagogue’s operational procedures
· Due of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation Act, 1974, by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, (Exceptions) Order 1975
· Accordingly, a valid and current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (formerly CRB) that is satisfactory to the United Synagogue will be required. Please ensure that you complete the United Synagogue Application Form Part 2 appropriately.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The candidates should demonstrate the following qualities, skills, and experience:
PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMPLETE THE SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONSEssential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Rabbinic Qualifications / Experience / Semicha from a recognized authority acceptable to the United Synagogue / Capable Ba’al Tefilloh and Ba’al Keriah
University education to bachelor degree level
Existing part-time teaching or communal role
Rabbinic Couple Skills and capabilities / Proven ability to work in and as a team
Pastoral skills / Some previous communal experience
Experience of working with youth
Ability to devise, manage and complete communal projects
Teachers and educators / Able to devise divrei Torah and educational materials to appeal to a range of ages and religious observance
Range of IT Skills / Knowledge of social media
Ideal Personal Attributes / Excellent interpersonal skills: approachable and affable with good social skills
Empathetic and insightful – interested in people
Excellent communicators – able to inspire
Page 3 of 5