Rabbinic Search

RABBINIC SEARCH UPDATE ~ OCTOBER-NOVEMBER, 2021
The Rabbinic Search momentum continues! Here are a few highlights of the incredible progress made and a sneak preview of what is planned for the near future:
~ Resumes/applications, which are received on a rolling basis have come  from candidates from around the country! 
~ Brief, introductory zoom calls have been held between  candidates and co-chairpersons 
~ Resume/application review and evaluation are completed  by The Rabbinic Search Committee
~ Zoom Interviews with the Rabbinic Search Committee and many candidates were held. The candidates have thoughtfully and enthusiastically responded to questions reflective of the qualities you asked for during focus groups and survey results (ex. commitment to building relationships with congregants, experience working with diverse temple demographics, honoring our focus on our future with a respect for our past, demonstrating leadership with Tikkun Olam, Social Action and Social Justice, feelings about  the overlap year with Rabbi Shpeen). Candidates have the opportunity to ask committee members questions to learn more about our Congregation Beth Emeth community and the Capital District. Upon completion of each interview, members of the Rabbinic Search Committee complete a rubric to best enable discussion, review and next steps. 

~EXCITING NEWS!  In-person interviews are being scheduled! The Rabbinic Search Committee has identified several highly qualified candidates to invite to Albany for in-person interviews throughout the fall. During this round of interviews, the candidates will meet in our spectacular Beth Emeth temple with Rabbi Shpeen, Past Presidents, Officers, Professional Staff and the Rabbinic Search Committee.  
~ Updates will be communicated as they become available.

On behalf of The Rabbinic Search Committee, we are honored to represent our Beth Emeth community, as we  continue to respect the process set forth by the CCAR in the search for our next Senior Rabbi.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions!
Robyn Marinstein
Garry Sanders, 

RABBINIC SEARCH TIME LINE:  CLICK HERE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
 

Q: IS THERE A  SPECIFIC PROCESS WE WILL BE USING TO SELECT A NEW RABBI?
We are fortunate to have a framework for this process that has been developed by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR).  If you are interested in learning more about he CCAR process, CLICK HERE.

Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SEARCH PROCESS OR OTHER IDEAS I HAVE WITH THE SEARCH COMMITTEE?
Yes.  We encourage you to participate.  All Beth Emeth congregants are invited to attend a focus group (via Zoom) and participate in a survey (available in March 2021 on-line or paper format).  The focus group and survey are designed to learn from our congregants what matters most to them in terms of rabbinic characteristics and skills as well as what areas of emphasis they believe a senior Rabbi should focus us in leading Beth Emeth forward.  CLICK HERE for more information and to register for a focus group.

Q:  WHAT IS THE TIMING FOR THIS SEARCH?
The end goal is recruiting a new Senior Rabbi who will join Congregation Beth Emeth on or about July, 2022.   The new Rabbi will overlap with Rabbi Shpeen for one year.  Rabbi Shpeen will become Emeritus at that time.  Reaching this goal requires time, energy, some flexibility, and most important . . . a congregational commitment to a successful and transparent search process.

Q:  HOW WILL THE TRANSITION TAKE PLACE BETWEEN RABBI SHPEEN AND THE NEW RABBI?
There will be a Rabbinic Transition Committee established following this search.  The Committee will have the role of working with both Rabbi Shpeen and the new Senior Rabbi to ensure a fluid, warm, and collaborative transition in the best interests of the Congregation.

RABBINIC SEARCH COMMITTEE:
It is with great pleasure that we announce the members of the Rabbinic Search Committee:
Gayle Abrams
Dan Dembling
Craig Alfred
Cheryl Gelder-Kogan
Liz Albright
Steve Ostroff
Michael Bigley
Donna Rosen
Jennifer Colman
Steve Shrager
Dan Cotton
As a group, they represent our diverse and warm community and are prepared to embrace their responsibility for an historic, emotional and awesome task of leading our congregation forward from Rabbi Shpeen’s illustrious and lauded rabbinate. As individuals, each brings good judgment, strong engagement, interesting ideas and a personal commitment to CBE. As we, the Beth Emeth community say and pray: Going from strength to strength.  CLICK HERE to learn more about our Search Committee.

Robyn Marinstein - rmarinstein@gmail.com
Garry Sanders - garrettrsanders@gmail.com