November 2014
Dear GRJC Family,
As we shared with you a couple of months ago, the search for a new Rabbi is underway. A search committee has been meeting regularly and the job has officially been posted. The initial screening of candidates will begin after Thanksgiving and more in-depth interviewing will happen in the beginning of the new year.
It is important that we hear from those affiliated with the GRJC about what you are looking for in a new Rabbi. The search committee created a very brief online survey which allows you to share the importance of the qualities of a Rabbi as well as an area to share open comments.
Please take a few minutes and complete the survey at the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q7T28TW
Feel free to email me with any questions at [email protected].
Many thanks,
Brian Cohen
Chair, Search Committee
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Summer 2014
Dear fellow congregants,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful and relaxing summer. As previously communicated, Rabbi Tow will be leaving the Glen Rock Jewish Center in the summer of 2015. When you have a Rabbi as well liked and respected as Rabbi Tow, it is always a daunting task to begin a search for his successor. At the request of the GJRC Board of Trustees, I have agreed to Chair the search committee for our next Rabbi. I am pleased to share with you the first of what will be many emails in the coming months, updating the entire congregation on where we stand, what we are doing, and where we are going with the search. We intend to make this as transparent a process as possible. If you have questions at any time, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or at 212-854-8095.
As you may recall from when Rabbi Tow's departure was first announced, a request went out to members interested in serving on the Rabbi Search Committee. I am pleased to report that several members answered the call. A Search Committee has been assembled, comprised of a diverse set of members representing different ages, interests, and involvement in the GRJC. In addition to myself, the Search Committee includes:
Jacob Diament
Tom Fellig
Neil Fishman
Vivian Genn Pittman
Shira Hochman
Merri Kapiloff
Janet Krebs
Margie Linefsky
Anita Nakhimovich
Alex Stern
Pam Sturiale
Rob Weiss
Although we are still very early in the search process, Search Committee meetings have commenced and we are focused on being proactive and forward-thinking. Currently, the committee is working on the following:
- Reviewing materials from our last search as well as speaking with members of the search committee from other conservative synagogues that have recently completed searches.
- Developing a web-based survey that will be shared with the entire congregation. The survey is intended to identify what we, as a congregation, are looking for in our next Rabbi. We plan on sharing this survey with you around the time of the High Holidays or shortly thereafter.
- Separate from this committee, a group of congregants is concurrently running focus groups to help determine the vision for the future of the Jewish Center. There is significant overlap between that initiative and this one, so we are working to coordinate the work of that focus group to help inform the rabbinic search.
- We are completing a profile document from United Synagogue which will give future Rabbinical candidates a complete picture of who we are and what we are looking for. This document will be submitted in early November.
In December/January, the search committee will begin reviewing resumes and screening candidates for the job. We will narrow the field and conduct in-person interviews with a handful of qualified candidates. From there, we will ask two or three finalists to spend a weekend at the Glen Rock Jewish Center. The entire congregation will be invited to join us for a series of weekend services, learning opportunities, and informal meet and greets. The search committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors and upon approval from the Board, an offer will be made to a Rabbi. We will consider Rabbis right out of the Seminary as well as those with more experience.
Please be in touch any time with questions or comments.
Many thanks,
Brian Cohen
Executive Director
Columbia/Barnard Hillel
Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life
606 W 115th Street
New York, NY 10025
(p) 212-854-8095
(f) 212-854-3012