Congregation Eitz Chayim in Cambridge, MA – Seeking a Dynamic Rabbi
Congregation Eitz Chayim is a participatory Jewish congregation, home to an inclusive, egalitarian, multi-generational community. We are searching for a new Rabbi to guide us into our next chapter after being led for more than 20 transformative years by Rabbi Liza Stern. We are looking for a spiritual leader who shares our vision of pluralism, community, learning, prayer, celebration, just action, and wonder.
Eitz Chayim is a small but mighty congregation – we have around 120 families that power our thriving Hebrew School, weekly Torah Study, adult education programming, and social action committee (to name a few!). From Tot Shabbats to meetings of our “Age-ing to Sage-ing” group, we are a dynamic, engaged, and caring community that aims to involve every member at every age. We are an unaffiliated congregation, committed to love and respect for Jewish traditions and ritual while practicing with a spirit of evolving flexibility and inclusiveness. We are looking for a Rabbi who can help us grow while maintaining the sense of close connection that is an indelible part of who we are and what makes us special.
Eitz Chayim is located in the heart of Cambridge, MA and reflects its spirit – a city filled with students and academics, long-time residents, artists, scientists, professionals, and learners of all stripes. Cambridge has a thriving and diverse Jewish community, reflecting a rich tapestry of traditions, beliefs, and practices. In fact, Cambridge and its environs has the fastest growing Jewish population in Massachusetts. Located between Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Charles River, Congregation Eitz Chayim embodies this diverse, intellectually curious, and socially engaged city in its membership and values.
Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Full-time.
Who We Are:
- A Home for Wondering Jews: We are committed to an open, diverse community where people from different Jewish backgrounds, family structures, and levels of observance feel at home. Whether you have a strong connection to Judaism or are new to Jewish practice, Eitz Chayim is a space to belong.
- Participatory Congregation: Members are active participants in shaping services, programs, and community initiatives. We seek a Rabbi who is energized by collaboration with congregants and who embraces prayer, learning, and social action.
- Jewish Education: We are committed to empowering the next generation with innovative educational programming. Our Rabbi will have a vision for dynamic youth and family education—one that connects children, teens, and adults to Jewish traditions while responding to the complexities of modern life.
What We Are Looking For:
The ideal candidate will be:
- A thoughtful spiritual leader who is equally comfortable leading prayer services, offering pastoral care, and engaging in deep conversations about Jewish identity and contemporary issues.
- A passionate educator with a talent for connecting across generations and inspiring a love of Jewish learning and practice.
- A community builder who thrives on participation, collaboration, and fostering connections within the congregation.
- Committed to inclusion and diversity, making Eitz Chayim a welcoming space for individuals and families of all backgrounds and levels of observance.
Core Responsibilities:
- Lead religious services, including Shabbat, High Holy Days, B’Nei Mitzvah (for youth and adults), and festival services.
- Provide pastoral care and guidance for individuals and families in times of celebration and need, and for all Jewish life cycle events.
- Innovate and inspire educational programming for children, teens, and adults.
- Inspire social justice initiatives aligned with Jewish values, engaging the congregation in acts of kindness and repair.
- Interface with various synagogue committees and the Board.
- Build connections with the larger Cambridge/Somerville Jewish community as well as interfaith and secular communities.
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a vision statement for leading a diverse, participatory congregation to [email protected] by January 3rd, 2025.