Rabbi or Cantor or Spiritual Leader-for Congregation Beth El, Austin Texas
About Congregation Beth El:
A vibrant community of families and individuals, we are an independent traditional conservative congregation with 65 families in Austin, Texas. Congregation Beth El is a warm and welcoming synagogue, members go out of their way to make newcomers feel at home. Established in 1981, we own our building. We have a diverse population with a large international contingency from many places including Mexico, South America, Israel, and Russia.
Type of service are you envisioning: We want a leader who will nurture, inspire, and help grow our congregation. Because we are a singing congregation, lead an engaging and uplifting traditional service and have the skills to read Torah, lead prayers and deliver engaging sermons for Shabbat and holidays.
How do you do Jewish: A large extended family, Beth El’s members range in background from Reform to Orthodox, Jews by Choice, and intermarriage. In general, our members are connected by our friendships, wanting to have more meaningful prayer and Jewish practice, and a desire to lead a more Jewish life. While most of our members are moderately observant, they enjoy the traditional service and the heimish and welcoming nature of the congregation. Our services are conservadox, not egalitarian, and are mixed seating with no mechitza and no microphone. We use the Koren Siddur.
Why you need a Rabbi: For the first time in 42 years, Congregation Beth El in Austin, Texas is seeking to hire a part-time Rabbi. For 27 years services were lay-led, and for the past 15 years a part time professional Cantor has led services. Our Cantor of 15 years is relocating to San Diego to support his wife’s career. We believe this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen and grow a congregation in a growing Jewish community and we are looking for a leader to nurture and grow the congregation including leading Shabbat and holiday services and performing all life cycle events.
Timing Expectations: Half time
Qualifications: Simcha/rabbinic ordination. or Cantor ordination
Community Description:
Austin, Texas, consistently listed as one of the top places to live in the United States, has a growing Jewish community, a wonderful JCC, a respectable kosher grocery store, and a large, mostly unaffiliated Jewish population. Austin has the Texas State Capital, the University of Texas, and numerous outdoor activities like hiking and biking, and considers itself the live music capital of the World. Congregation Beth El is located in North Austin, convenient to Austin cultural activities and technology business centers. The Congregation is 2.5 miles from the Austin JCC Dell Campus.
Qualifications:
- Be a dynamic charismatic leader, one who will draw an audience with an engaging personality and vision to strengthen and grow the congregation and their Jewish knowledge and identity.
- Be passionate about Judaism and our congregation, sharing and encouraging our current members, prospective new members, and providing outreach to the Austin Jewish community.
- Puipit experience preferred
- Lead classes and Jewish programming for our congregation, including adults, teens, and be an active part of the Hebrew School.
- Understand our unique population, and be able to relate and connect well with all.
- Guide our congregation and board to develop better programming and improve participation for holidays, women, men, and youth
- Represent Congregation Beth El in the Austin Community and Jewish Community
- Hebrew and Spanish language skills are a plus.
Position Start Date: The position is open now and can be filled immediately with the right spiritual leader.
Interested? Send your resume to [email protected]
Visit our website: https://bethelaustin.org