Rabbinic Search FAQs

Rabbinic Search FAQs

What are we searching for?
Last year, Rabbi Bernhard informed our community of his intention to move on from his wonderful tenure at Adat Ari El.  We are grateful for the extra time he gave us to search for his successor.  We are searching for a Senior Rabbi to lead our congregation into the next chapter of Adat Ari El.

 
What steps have been taken to begin the search?
Last February and March, board member Marty Lasker led the congregation in a series of parlor sessions where members of our community had the opportunity to give feedback on what they thought about the future of our congregation.  The results have helped to shape the direction of the Rabbinic search. After the parlor meetings were concluded, a Rabbinic Search Committee was appointed under the leadership of Co-Chairs Lena Labowe (current Adat Ari El President) and David Burg (Immediate Past President.)  

In August 2020, a survey was sent to our entire congregation to gather further information.  The survey asked the congregation to rank-order the top five roles they deem as most important for a Senior Rabbi. The survey listed all 14 roles from the Aliyah Search Guide, with brief descriptions of each role. 

The results indicated that the respondents’ top five roles for the rabbi are:
1.       Worship leader
2.       Teacher
3.       Pastor
4.       Visionary leader
5.       Community builder

Who is on the search committee?
The committee is composed of members from all cross sections of our community.  This was deliberately done to ensure proper representation of our members. Click Here to view our committee members. Each member of the committee is happy and willing to speak to any congregants who have questions regarding the search.

Where are we in the process?

After spending many weeks putting together the required Rabbinic Assembly’s application, we submitted the application on November 11, 2020.  It was approved and is now posted as an open job on the Rabbinic Assembly’s website.  We have received several applications and are beginning the evaluation process.

A subcommittee is in the process of holding initial Zoom interviews with each candidate.  Second round interviews begin this month and we expect them to continue until early February.  We have set January 31 as the final date to accept applications.

What’s next and when can I meet the candidates?
Once we have narrowed our search to two or three candidates, we will begin to bring members of the community at large into the discussion.  The Rabbinic Assembly currently has a ban on travel, which is expected to go through the beginning of April, which will therefore require small group meetings via Zoom to introduce the candidates to Adat Ari El.  Every voice will be important in making our final selection.