Job Description - Caretaker s3

United Synagogue Job Description

JOB TITLE: Assistant Rebbetzin

LOCATION: Bushey United Synagogue

WORKING HOURS: Part Time - precise number of working hours will be agreed in partnership with the Assistant Rabbi

SALARY: Attractive Package - accommodation included

REPORTS TO: Senior Rebbetzin with dotted line to Chairman

BENEFITS: 20 days holiday, plus Statutory Bank Holidays

Childcare Vouchers

Auto-Enrolled Pension

JOB PURPOSE:

Key areas of focus for this position will include:

·  To partner the Assistant Rabbi in his religious, educational, congregational and administrative responsibilities

·  To support the Senior Rebbetzin in her religious, educational, community and administrative responsibilities

·  To reach out to young families and those who are not yet members

·  To become an integral member of the religious leadership team and to engage and become connected to the community

A Brief Introduction to Bushey United Synagogue

Bushey has a Jewish population of around 12% and therefore has much of the infrastructure you would expect of a Jewish population of this large percentage, including a large number of nearby Jewish schools and a range of kosher shops on Bushey Heath High Street.

Geographically, Bushey lies some 20 miles north of Central London. Being just 10 minutes from Edgware it very much feels part of North West London, whilst also retaining a countryside feel.

Bushey United Synagogue has a membership of around 1,200 families representing over 2,000 individuals aged 21+. We have 700 children under 20 and 40% of our membership is under the age of 50. Bushey is one of the five largest of the United Synagogues in terms of total membership.

We have services every day of the week, a multitude of devoted and diverse groups and a lively and growing youth sector, all contributing to a wealth of welfare, cultural, spiritual and educational resources and services.

Further information is available on our website www.busheyus.org

An Introduction to the Position of Assistant Rebbetzin

Under the fresh, inspiring and dynamic leadership of Rabbi Elchonon and Rebbetzin Jacqueline Feldman, who joined the community in December 2016, we believe that we are a community with a truly exciting future. The Assistant Rabbi and Assistant Rebbetzin will play an integral part in delivering on their goal of ensuring Bushey becomes “the envy of the United Synagogue”.

The Assistant Rebbetzin role will be split between leading an initiative of engagement with the young marrieds/families demographic (60%) and assisting the Senior Rebbetzin in her tasks (40%).

We are seeking an individual who can help our members feel engaged, pro-active and valued within our community whatever their level of contribution or religious observance.

Key areas of focus for this position will include:

·  Together with the Assistant Rabbi, to build a community within a community within the young married members, encouraging them to engage with the shul and community

·  To share educational and pastoral activities with the Senior Rebbetzin

·  To plan and deliver a broad variety of educational, cultural and social programmes

·  To become integral members of the religious leadership team (comprising the Senior Rabbi and Rebbetzin and Youth Directors)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Young Marrieds/Families Initiative (60%)

It will be the prime responsibility of the Assistant Rabbi and Rebbetzin to lead an engagement initiative to develop and empower the young family demographic connected to our community:

Young Family Revival

·  Encouraging the young family demographic to engage with the shul and community, working to actively attract, inspire and involve both new and current (both active and inactive) young adult, young married and young family members

·  Build a strong agenda of programmes for young marrieds delivering religious/educational/cultural/social activities for them

·  Attract young marrieds/parents to be involved in the running of activities; encourage them to seek leadership roles in the community generally, including the Board of Management

Young Family Leadership

·  Welcome young family members and potential members into your home on a regular basis for Shabbat and Yom Tov meals

·  Welcome young new members and integrate them in all aspects of communal life

·  Represent the community at appropriate events and forums which relate to the young family demographic, acting as the Assistant Rebbetzin ambassador for Bushey United Synagogue at all times

Young Family Social, Cultural and Israel Engagement

·  Play a prominent and evident role in the social, cultural, welfare and charitable events and groups as pertains to the young family demographic within the community

·  Encourage and support the young family’s individual and collective identification and links with the people and state of Israel

Young Adults

·  Where appropriate engage with graduates and young adults returning home in order to maintain or re-develop their involvement with the shul

·  In consultation with young adults, develop activities which meet their needs

·  Liaise with the United Synagogue to be able to provide connections for Bushey’s young adults with programmes being run for their target group around London and abroad

Youth

·  Encourage and support youth groups and activities, utilising Tribe Central resources locally, and promoting and attending Tribe events with Bushey youth whenever possible

·  Attend ‘Tribe Rabbis’ Day’ during Tribe summer programming

·  Work closely with the Youth Directors to engage young people across the religious spectrum and to ensure a vibrant and well attended youth service

·  Strong involvement with the Gan

·  Maintain and forge links with both local Jewish and non-Jewish schools

·  Deliver pre and post Bar/Bat mitzvah learning and programmes

·  Attend Tribe Central training and the Engage conference

2.  Supporting the Assistant Rabbi and Senior Rebbetzin in their day to day responsibilities (40%)

The job purpose of the Rabbinic Team can be summarized as follows:

·  Provide energetic, dynamic and inspiring religious and community leadership

·  To passionately exemplify, teach and promote inclusive Jewish orthodox values in a relevant, modern and open manner

·  Provide a meaningful and lasting Jewish experience to all members, irrespective of their demographics or level of Halachic observance

·  Enhance the quality of communal life for all members, both spiritually and socially

The specific duties of the Assistant Rebbetzin are many and varied, but will include:

Religious and Education

·  Assist in the development of Jewish knowledge in key areas.

·  Working with the Rabbinic team to provide shiurim, programmes and events which appeal to a cross-section of the community.

Pastoral

·  Assist the Senior Rebbetzin and Assistant Rabbi in attending to members’ spiritual and emotional needs at all stages of the lifecycle.

·  Work in conjunction with Bushey Community Cares where appropriate.

Social and Cultural

·  Play a prominent and evident role in the social, cultural, welfare and charitable events and groups within the community.

·  Continue to build strong interfaith connections and encourage joint events with other religions.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person to be appointed to this post should able to demonstrate the following:

Education/Qualifications

·  A high level of secular education is desirable, preferably with a University degree

·  Demonstrable ongoing Jewish learning and professional development

Experience

·  Some experience of a United Synagogue style modern orthodox community

·  Able to demonstrate a wide range of educational and spiritual experiences to the congregation and to the wider Jewish and secular community

·  Organising events and programmes

·  Working with and inspiring young families

Skills/ Capabilities

·  Able to provide the community with a positive and engaging role model of modern Orthodox Jewish family life.

·  Be able to counsel and support people in regard to a wide range of personal issues and life events

·  Ability to work both as part of a team and independently

·  Possess obvious gravitas and can immediately gain the respect of a large, thriving community

·  Able to deliver shiurim which are uplifting and meaningful

·  Ability to work under pressure

·  Good judgement

·  Excellent organisational skills

·  IT literate, comfortable engaging with social media

Personality/Attitude

·  Can demonstrate personal warmth and the ability to relate in a relaxed and caring way to people of varied backgrounds, ages and degrees of Jewish commitment and observance

·  A passion for Jewish values and community

·  An ardent Zionist and advocate for Israel

·  Empathy and patience

·  Possesses integrity and trust

·  Team player, good listener

·  Warm, welcoming and approachable

·  Emotional maturity and intelligence

·  Innovative and able to show initiative.

·  Inclusive and non-judgmental

·  Strong inter-personal skills

·  Sense of humour

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, which 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 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

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