Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for here, please email [email protected]. We will make every effort to keep this page up to date. Individuals’ questions and GRJC responses will be posted here so that all may benefit from the information.
Why is Rabbi Tow leaving?
After nearly nine years at the Glen Rock Jewish Center, Rabbi Tow announced that he will seek a new position closer to both his and Rabbi Schwartz’ family. The GRJC is the first synagogue where Rabbi Tow has worked since his ordination in 2006. He would like to take what he has learned here and provide guidance to another synagogue community on its path toward Jewish spirit, living, and learning.
When is Rabbi Tow Leaving?
Rabbi Tow will remain our spiritual leader until June 30, 2015.
My child has an upcoming bar/bat mitzvah in the next two years. Will their course of study and preparation remain the same as is currently provided?
Yes. We will continue to provide the same level of study, and be assured your child will be well-prepared for their bar/bat mitzvah. Rabbi Tow will continue to fully participate in Shabbat services until June 2015.
Are we conducting a search for a new rabbi?
We will begin our search immediately. Our first step will be to form a Search Committee. If you are interested in being a member of this important committee, please contact our President, Michelle Rosen Silverman at [email protected].
What is the role of the Search Committee and how will the search be conducted?
The Search Committee is just that, a search committee; it is not the sole selection committee. Our Search Committee will be seeking well-qualified candidates to become our rabbi. We will receive resumes from the Rabbinical Assembly, and we will screen and evaluate all of those candidates.
As we identify candidates who we believe are completely qualified to lead the GRJC as our rabbi (based on our interviews to determine whether their views, personal qualities, and rabbinic skills align with the feedback we have received from congregant input and our judgment), we will invite those candidates to visit our congregation. After those visits, if the Search Committee concludes that congregant feedback, candidate feedback, and requisite background and reference checks are all positive, the Search Committee may recommend to the Board of Trustees that an offer be extended to that candidate.
What are the formal steps in the process for selecting a rabbi?
There are multiple steps involved, the first of which will be to form our Search Committee and inform the Rabbinical Assembly that we would have a need for a new rabbi in the near future. Following that, the steps include: surveying our community, in person and electronically, to receive input as to what we should be looking for in our next rabbi, completing the application to the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement; review resumes and conduct initial and follow-up interviews and Skype sessions; and host top candidates to visit the GRJC and collect the congregation’s input on each candidate at the conclusion of each visit. Then the Rabbinic Search Committee will ultimately recommend one of the hosted candidates to be our next Rabbi (based on feedback, the results of background and reference checks performed by the Rabbi Search Committee, and information gathered during the formal interviewing process, as well as "post-visit" feedback from the candidate) and will seek the approval of the Board of Trustees.
How long will this search process take?
Our expectation is that we will be able to have a new rabbi in place by July 1, 2015. However, even though the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have given us confidence that this date is likely, the most important thing to the Search Committee is to find the right candidate. We won't rush our process if we do not find the right rabbi to lead us, nor will we extend our process once we do identify the right rabbi. The quality of our candidates will determine the duration of the search more than anything else.
What is the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement?
The Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement (JCRP) is the only advisory group and decision-making body regarding rabbinic placement in the Conservative movement. The JCRP sets and maintains a set of rigorous standards and ethical policies to guide this process. Its goal is to provide the best opportunity for congregations and rabbis to meet and develop a lasting relationship. The JCRP also offers counsel to both rabbis and synagogue search committees about integrating a new rabbi into a congregation.
What is the document we submit to the JCRP?
The congregational questionnaire is, in essence, a profile of the GRJC that we are required to submit to the JCRP. This application features a broad range of questions regarding all aspects of our community. Many of the questions require very matter-of-fact details such as our demographics and facility layout, while others seek a more thoughtful description of our identity, culture and values. The application also includes questions about our approach to services, attitudes toward interfaith matters, ritual traditions, and other defining characteristics.
Why are we only accepting candidates from the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement?
The GRJC Constitution, as well as our membership in United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, requires us to work through the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement to search for a new rabbi. We are not permitted to advertise the position through any means other than the questionnaire we submit to the JCRP.
How can a congregant share his/her ideas with the Rabbinic Search Committee?
As soon as the Search Committee is formed, congregants should feel welcome to share their thoughts at any point during this process with the Committee. Details regarding who to contact and how will be provided once the Committee is established. Congregants are encouraged to be involved to assure that we find the candidate most reflective of, and capable of meeting the needs of our congregation.
But, I know a great candidate for the position—who should he/she contact?
You may encourage the individual you know to contact the Rabbinical Assembly at [email protected]. Just as it is required that we only go through the JCRP to advertise our need for a new rabbi, we can only interview candidates who submit résumés with the JCRP. Therefore, we will not meet with any interested rabbi unless he or she is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly and expresses his or her interest in the GRJC through the JCRP.
Will members of the congregation have the opportunity to observe the candidate on the bimah before a decision is made?
Yes, they will. After a careful review of resumes and the conclusion of our interviewing process, qualifying candidates will be invited to spend a weekend, or in some cases a Tuesday - Thursday, in Glen Rock to lead services and teach and interact in a variety of contexts. Congregants should watch this website, their email, mailboxes for detailed information about the candidate visits.
What other opportunities will the congregation have to interact with the prospective rabbi?
Throughout the designated weekends, in addition to observing the candidate on the bimah, there will be several opportunities for the candidate to interact, teach and lead services, youth services, adult learning classes and other synagogue events. We will be looking for help in hosting candidates in congregant homes and at Shabbat dinners. We want to make sure to provide a rich and immersive experience for each candidate. In some cases, candidates may need to visit Tuesday - Thursday, instead of Shabbat. In these cases, they will still interact through religious school, minyanim, and in many other ways. Please watch your email, and keep your eye on this website for details.
Thank you!!!
If you can't find what you're looking for here, please email [email protected]. We will make every effort to keep this page up to date. Individuals’ questions and GRJC responses will be posted here so that all may benefit from the information.
Why is Rabbi Tow leaving?
After nearly nine years at the Glen Rock Jewish Center, Rabbi Tow announced that he will seek a new position closer to both his and Rabbi Schwartz’ family. The GRJC is the first synagogue where Rabbi Tow has worked since his ordination in 2006. He would like to take what he has learned here and provide guidance to another synagogue community on its path toward Jewish spirit, living, and learning.
When is Rabbi Tow Leaving?
Rabbi Tow will remain our spiritual leader until June 30, 2015.
My child has an upcoming bar/bat mitzvah in the next two years. Will their course of study and preparation remain the same as is currently provided?
Yes. We will continue to provide the same level of study, and be assured your child will be well-prepared for their bar/bat mitzvah. Rabbi Tow will continue to fully participate in Shabbat services until June 2015.
Are we conducting a search for a new rabbi?
We will begin our search immediately. Our first step will be to form a Search Committee. If you are interested in being a member of this important committee, please contact our President, Michelle Rosen Silverman at [email protected].
What is the role of the Search Committee and how will the search be conducted?
The Search Committee is just that, a search committee; it is not the sole selection committee. Our Search Committee will be seeking well-qualified candidates to become our rabbi. We will receive resumes from the Rabbinical Assembly, and we will screen and evaluate all of those candidates.
As we identify candidates who we believe are completely qualified to lead the GRJC as our rabbi (based on our interviews to determine whether their views, personal qualities, and rabbinic skills align with the feedback we have received from congregant input and our judgment), we will invite those candidates to visit our congregation. After those visits, if the Search Committee concludes that congregant feedback, candidate feedback, and requisite background and reference checks are all positive, the Search Committee may recommend to the Board of Trustees that an offer be extended to that candidate.
What are the formal steps in the process for selecting a rabbi?
There are multiple steps involved, the first of which will be to form our Search Committee and inform the Rabbinical Assembly that we would have a need for a new rabbi in the near future. Following that, the steps include: surveying our community, in person and electronically, to receive input as to what we should be looking for in our next rabbi, completing the application to the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement; review resumes and conduct initial and follow-up interviews and Skype sessions; and host top candidates to visit the GRJC and collect the congregation’s input on each candidate at the conclusion of each visit. Then the Rabbinic Search Committee will ultimately recommend one of the hosted candidates to be our next Rabbi (based on feedback, the results of background and reference checks performed by the Rabbi Search Committee, and information gathered during the formal interviewing process, as well as "post-visit" feedback from the candidate) and will seek the approval of the Board of Trustees.
How long will this search process take?
Our expectation is that we will be able to have a new rabbi in place by July 1, 2015. However, even though the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have given us confidence that this date is likely, the most important thing to the Search Committee is to find the right candidate. We won't rush our process if we do not find the right rabbi to lead us, nor will we extend our process once we do identify the right rabbi. The quality of our candidates will determine the duration of the search more than anything else.
What is the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement?
The Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement (JCRP) is the only advisory group and decision-making body regarding rabbinic placement in the Conservative movement. The JCRP sets and maintains a set of rigorous standards and ethical policies to guide this process. Its goal is to provide the best opportunity for congregations and rabbis to meet and develop a lasting relationship. The JCRP also offers counsel to both rabbis and synagogue search committees about integrating a new rabbi into a congregation.
What is the document we submit to the JCRP?
The congregational questionnaire is, in essence, a profile of the GRJC that we are required to submit to the JCRP. This application features a broad range of questions regarding all aspects of our community. Many of the questions require very matter-of-fact details such as our demographics and facility layout, while others seek a more thoughtful description of our identity, culture and values. The application also includes questions about our approach to services, attitudes toward interfaith matters, ritual traditions, and other defining characteristics.
Why are we only accepting candidates from the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement?
The GRJC Constitution, as well as our membership in United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, requires us to work through the Joint Commission on Rabbinic Placement to search for a new rabbi. We are not permitted to advertise the position through any means other than the questionnaire we submit to the JCRP.
How can a congregant share his/her ideas with the Rabbinic Search Committee?
As soon as the Search Committee is formed, congregants should feel welcome to share their thoughts at any point during this process with the Committee. Details regarding who to contact and how will be provided once the Committee is established. Congregants are encouraged to be involved to assure that we find the candidate most reflective of, and capable of meeting the needs of our congregation.
But, I know a great candidate for the position—who should he/she contact?
You may encourage the individual you know to contact the Rabbinical Assembly at [email protected]. Just as it is required that we only go through the JCRP to advertise our need for a new rabbi, we can only interview candidates who submit résumés with the JCRP. Therefore, we will not meet with any interested rabbi unless he or she is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly and expresses his or her interest in the GRJC through the JCRP.
Will members of the congregation have the opportunity to observe the candidate on the bimah before a decision is made?
Yes, they will. After a careful review of resumes and the conclusion of our interviewing process, qualifying candidates will be invited to spend a weekend, or in some cases a Tuesday - Thursday, in Glen Rock to lead services and teach and interact in a variety of contexts. Congregants should watch this website, their email, mailboxes for detailed information about the candidate visits.
What other opportunities will the congregation have to interact with the prospective rabbi?
Throughout the designated weekends, in addition to observing the candidate on the bimah, there will be several opportunities for the candidate to interact, teach and lead services, youth services, adult learning classes and other synagogue events. We will be looking for help in hosting candidates in congregant homes and at Shabbat dinners. We want to make sure to provide a rich and immersive experience for each candidate. In some cases, candidates may need to visit Tuesday - Thursday, instead of Shabbat. In these cases, they will still interact through religious school, minyanim, and in many other ways. Please watch your email, and keep your eye on this website for details.
Thank you!!!