CONGREGATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Transcription

1 CONGREGATIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE Synagogue Name: Congregation Rodfei Zedek Date: 2/20/14 Address: 5200 S. Hyde Park Boulevard City: Chicago State/Province: IL Postal Code: Country: USA Telephone: Fax: Website: Primary Contact s james.gimpel@gmail.com Facebook Page: Twitter Handle: What websites can the candidate check for more information regarding the larger Jewish community? Hyde Park and Kenwood Jewish Community Jewish Enrichment Center jewishenrichment.org ju Chicago juchicago.org Institute for the Next Jewish Future nextjewishfuture.org Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School akibaschechter.org Chicago Center for Jewish Studies uchicago.edu/research/center/center_for_jewish_studies Rohr Chabad House chabaduchicago.com KAM-Isaiah Israel kamii.org University of Chicago Hillel uchicagohillel.org 1

2 Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago juf.org Jewish Community Center of Chicago gojcc.org Chicago Board of Rabbis gojcc.org/cbr Chicago Rabbinical Council crcweb.org Jewish Chicago Organization and Resource Directory jewishchicago.com Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership spertus.edu The Chicago Jewish Historical Society chicagojewishhistory.org Chicagoland Jewish High School cjhs.org Hebrew Theological College What websites can the candidate check for more information for the general geographic area? Hyde Park and Kenwood: Immediate Neighborhood: University of Chicago uchicago.edu Institute of Politics: Divinity school: Oriental Institute: Rockefeller Chapel politics.uchicago.edu divinity.uchicago.edu/ uchicago.edu/research/center/oriental_institute/ rockefeller.uchicago.edu/ Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce hydeparkchamberchicago.org Hyde Park Interfaith Council Hpkifc.org Hyde Park Herald hpherald.com 2

3 PART I: PRIMARY MISSION A. Who are you as a congregation? Please describe your institutional story in one paragraph: Congregation Rodfei Zedek, the only Conservative synagogue south of downtown Chicago, has survived and thrived for 140 years because it has embraced change. Unified by a desire to create thoughtful Jewish experiences for the community, we adapt and we innovate. To meet the recent challenges of a smaller and less affiliated community, CRZ transitioned from a homogeneous synagogue to one with many ties to partners and greater diversity within our walls. We rebuilt our building, created a Jewish campus with the Hyde Park JCC and Akiba- Schechter Jewish Day School, and adopted a synaplex model that offers a variety of prayer and learning experiences guided by the principles of Conservative Judaism. Individuals and small groups drive new approaches to adult worship and learning, and to childhood education from infancy through the teen years. These actions enable us to maintain a traditional Masorti minyan and to go in new directions. As a result, our proportion of younger members has grown, as has weekly attendance at our many programs. CRZ in 2014 is a vibrant house of prayer, study, and community and we re always pondering the next steps for growth. B. What is your mission? (please share your mission statement, if you have one) Mission Statement adopted 2006 At Congregation Rodfei Zedek we are committed to enhancing the spiritual dimension of our modern lives. We strive to be a learning congregation, developing our various interests and capabilities as Jews to advance our observance, celebration, study, and service to the community. We are dedicated to: Encouraging widespread involvement in many different forms of Jewish learning at many different levels; Enabling and encouraging widespread participation in prayer and observance, respecting different orientations toward religious thought and practice and guided by the principles of Conservative Judaism; Welcoming and serving a multi-generational community; and Providing a setting that is particularly appreciative and supportive of children and their families. C. What is it about your congregation that would signal to a visitor that yours is a Conservative/Masorti congregation? 1. Every morning, the first thing a visitor may experience is a minyan at prayer followed on Mondays with a Talmud study session. 3

4 2. On Friday evening, children and their families, or a Shabbat chavurah of empty nesters or the whole congregation might meet for kabbalat Shabbat and dinner. 3. On Shabbat morning, we hold a Masorti service, often led by congregants, with a full Torah reading. 4. Sunday morning after minyan, groups meet to discuss topics such as Jewish philosophy and Torah trope. Children s classes meet as well. 5. On festivals and fast days full observances take place with strong lay participation. 6. Kashrut is maintained in the synagogue kitchens and observed at synagogue events. D. Why are you currently searching for new rabbinic leadership? Our rabbi of 25 years retired. E. What are your congregation's core values and principles which guide the actions of the congregation and which are not dependent on the rabbi? List three: We are proactive in meeting the changing needs of members and the larger community. We cultivate Jewish learning and full participation in Jewish spiritual and cultural life. We support and celebrate our members diverse Jewish experiences and goals for Jewish life. F. In addition to leading religious services; what are the three next most important tasks/priorities/roles of the rabbi? Engagement Leader: The rabbi develops programs that engage congregants and noncongregants in Jewish life, respecting the diversity of needs and interests in our community, building stronger affiliations with the Jewish experience, and attracting deeper attachments and broader membership in CRZ. Educational Leader: The rabbi leads the development and implementation of the full range of educational programs, envisioning and informing pedagogy, content, relevance, and staffing, for congregants and others at diverse levels of Jewish knowledge and with diverse goals for Jewish experience and commitment. Spiritual Leader: The rabbi provides spiritual and moral inspiration and insight into our worship services, observances, and halakha, as well as pastoral care, for congregants with diverse religious commitments. G. What are your congregation s strengths? List three: Warm, welcoming members. We embrace newcomers quickly, and while we often engage in lively debate, we have always avoided rigid cliques and bitter arguments. 4

5 Intellectually curious and engaged members. We have many members who are sophisticated learners with strong Jewish and secular knowledge, and many energetic and capable volunteers. Diversity. Our members include professionals, academics, business people, and working people, of different ethnic backgrounds and races, sexual orientations, and political viewpoints. H. What are your congregation s challenges? List three: Managing our synaplex model. We re constantly working to maintain a sense of unity and common purpose among the different groups of congregants, and cultivate shared themes among our diverse programs. Engaging all our members. This means energizing older congregants with new perspectives and bringing younger members with children into a more active role in the congregation: a connection of their own rather than one primarily through their children so they will be able to sustain CRZ in years to come. Securing resources and growing membership. I. What is unique about your congregation? Our diversity goes deeper than ethnicity, economics, or politics. It s also a diversity of thought. We are an intellectual group that engages in open, informed, and friendly debate about texts and observance, all of which fortifies us as we seek the next direction for our synagogue. J. What are the three most important issues to confront your synagogue in the next five years? Negotiating for ourselves the constraints and the opportunities that both tradition and innovation present to us as we consider our mission and vision for the future. Encouraging and nurturing the various approaches to Jewish spiritual life in our synaplex model while enhancing our cohesiveness and identity as a congregation. Finding new ways to make synagogue affiliation and participation meaningful to our community, both for current congregants and for potential new members across the age spectrum in the greater Chicago community What role do you want the rabbi to play in meeting these challenges? Facilitate and help us continue to develop our vision while sustaining our sense of unity and common purpose. Articulate and exemplify Jewish learning and spirituality to inspire congregants. 5

6 Offer unaffiliated Jews in our larger community compelling explorations of the question, Why be a Jew, religiously, intellectually, or culturally? K. What do you want your next rabbi to change? We want our next rabbi to partner with our lay leadership and members in meeting our challenges. L. What do you want your next rabbi to preserve? As above: We want our next rabbi to partner with our lay leadership and members in meeting our challenges. M. The most important thing a rabbi needs to know about your congregation is: We confront the same challenges to Jewish life that most congregations share, but we anticipate and face those challenges and have faith that we can meet them. We are not looking for a leader with all the answers, but rather a flexible, creative, and innovative collaborator. N. What is it about your synagogue that makes your synagogue particularly attractive to a rabbi? Why should a rabbi come to you? A rabbi who embraces the opportunity for revitalization and innovation in partnership with lay leaders will find this opportunity exciting. CRZ has members committed to worship and practice, and knowledgeable, eager learners with a range of Jewish experience and commitments. We have an exceptional percentage of members who participate weekly. We value informed study and discussion. We are enthusiastic and capable partners in the work of engagement and outreach. We welcome change and we have experience in making it work. Chicago is a world-class city with vibrant Jewish and academic resources and rabbinical mentoring from leaders in the Conservative movement. CRZ s Hyde Park neighborhood boasts one of the top universities in America, in the setting of one of the few truly integrated areas in the City of Chicago. Our ties to the University of Chicago and other outstanding community resources allow deep and rich collaborations, learning, and sharing of knowledge and resources. In short, we are a vibrant synagogue in a neighborhood that is unique among urban settings. PART II: DEMOGRAPHICS A. Number of member units today: 1. Total households/memberships: _ Number of households a. Under 45 years old: 50 b. Between 45-64: 82 c. Between 65-84: 109 d. Over 85: 6 6

7 3. Number of households consisting of: a. Singles: 51 b. Married/Partnered: 99 c. Single Parents: 8 d. Empty Nesters: 89 Comments about demographics: The mean age of our membership has decreased over the last 5 years. B. Number of member units five years ago: 1. Total households/memberships:? 2. Number of households a. Under 45 years. old: 19 b. Between 45-64: 79 c. Between 65-84: 106 d. Over 85: Number of households consisting of: a. Singles:? b. Married/Partnered:? c. Single Parents:? d. Empty Nesters:? Comments: We do not have data on marital status and children in the home from five years ago. C. Are you affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism/Masorti Olami? Yes D. Synagogue Facility Describe your physical space: Congregation Rodfei Zedek is located in a two-story, 32,000-square-foot building designed and dedicated in 2000 on the synagogue s previous site at 5200 South Hyde Park Boulevard. The ADA-compliant space is the result of a unique cooperative project involving Congregation Rodfei Zedek and the Hyde Park Jewish Community Center, which share the facility. The red brick and white masonry building contains a 300-seat sanctuary (expandable to 700 seats for High Holiday services) opening off an atrium-style foyer. The ground level also includes offices doe for the JCC and CRZ, including offices for the rabbi and 7

8 cantor, a gift shop, a social hall, a gymnasium, classrooms, and meat and dairy kitchens. On the second floor are a chapel, a library, classrooms, computer resource room, and a large multipurpose room. An adjacent parking lot accommodates 45 cars. Across the street is a city park, and just beyond that, Lake Michigan. Next door is Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School, housed partly in the classroom section of CRZ s former building. The synagogue is on major commuter routes and only a block from Lake Shore Drive. Describe the room where you usually meet for Shabbat services: The Sanctuary is a large room with built-in seats surrounding the bimah on three sides. The seating arrangement and the low bimah (just three steps above the floor) impart a feeling of community congregants can see and hear each other as well as those on the bimah. The architecture is simple: stained glass windows, a high ceiling; an ark made of rich natural wood flanked by two menorot. To the side are chairs and a stand for the sefer torah; before it are a reading desk, and to the side, a lectern. The back wall of the sanctuary is a movable partition that can be opened for the High Holidays, doubling the seating. Please feel free to include any links to pictures on the web of your building: E. Senior staff history (all that apply) F. Key lay leaders Present Rabbi: none Rabbi in residence: Laurence Edwards, rabbi in residence, July 1, present Edwards@ajc.org, Preceding Rabbi: Elliot B. Gertel, served 25 years until June 30, 2013, ebgertel@aol.com, Preceding Rabbi: Vernon Kurtz, served 12 years, vkurtz@nssbethel.org, Cantor (hazzan): Rachel Rosenberg, July 1, 2012 present rachelgrosenberg@gmail.com, Executive Director: Sherry Gutman, January 2011 present gutmansherry52@gmail.com, Educational Director Cantor (hazzan): Rachel Rosenberg, July 1, 2012 present rachelgrosenberg@gmail.com, President: Diane Altkorn, MD, January 1, present, 2 years as VP; 10 years on the Board; daltkorn@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu,

9 G. Religious Life Search Committee Chair: James Gimpel, FAIA, appointed January 15, 2014, 12+ years on board; newly appointed chair; What is your primary siddur for: Daily/weekday? Siddur Liymot HaChol Shabbat and Festivals? Sim Shalom siddur (RA 1999) High Holy Days? Machzor Lev Shalem What are your goals for Shabbat and Festival services? Each of our services stresses participation at all levels, but each service has a different goal: 1. The Shabbat morning Masorti (meets weekly) service aims to give each participant the opportunity to pray, reflect, learn and perform the mitzvoth of Shabbat worship within the framework of traditional Conservative Jewish practice. 2. The Na aseh v Nishma Minyan (meets monthly) This service features lay leadership and davening, a short Torah reading with chevruta study, and group singing with instrumental support. It welcomes families and all generations in a joyful ambience. 3. The Family Minyan (meets twice monthly) emphasizes learning and participation for children with parental support. 4. Minyan Katan (meets twice monthly) aims for a joyful introduction to worship and Jewish fellowship for very young children and relaxed, supportive community for their parents. 5. Our goal for our festival services is to deepen appreciation of the holiday with an authentic, spiritual Masorti service and provide a communal celebration in which young children can participate. Describe your Shabbat morning services: See above Do you have a sermon or Torah discussion? The Masorti service has a sermon or dvar torah; the Na'aseh v Nishma has a congregantled chevruta study in lieu of a speaker. Sometimes we have a guest speaker over Kiddush lunch, which enables congregants from every service to be involved. 9

10 Does your service include congregational singing? Yes. Our congregation tends to sing along with all responses, and our cantors have always encouraged us to sing along with the davening. Na aseh v Nishma includes extensive group singing mixing contemporary and traditional melodies. What is the balance of Hebrew and English used? Our services are conducted primarily in Hebrew, with supplemental English readings. Our festival and High Holy Day observances sometimes include more English. What are your attendance patterns for Friday night? Friday night attendance varies from as few as 10 to more than 70. One Friday night a month we have Shabbat Chavurah, focused on a group of empty-nesters who lead a Kabbalat Shabbat service and a Shabbat dinner. On most Fridays during the school year, the Family Institute holds a service after a school session. Another Friday usually sees a congregational dinner. For all of these, all congregants and visitors are welcome. What are your attendance patterns for Shabbat morning? The Masorti service, held every Shabbat, usually has about 50 participants. The Na'aseh v Nishma service, held once a month has about 40. Family Minyan has about 20 parents and children, and Minyan Katan 25 parents and children. Do you use a full, triennial or other division of Torah reading? The Masorti service has a full annual reading; the Naaseh v Nishmah service has an abbreviated Torah reading followed by a chevrutah Torah study. Who usually reads Torah? Torah is chanted by members (about 25 regular volunteers), led by our capable volunteer coordinator. Our cantor occasionally reads, as did our rabbi. We hold training for congregants who want to learn trope, and we encourage our teenagers and young adults to take part in Torah reading. Describe the High Holy Day services in your congregation: For Selichot we gather for a program of Jewish content, such as a lecture or documentary, followed by a service led by our High Holy Day cantor and choir. On the High Holy Days, a beautiful full Masorti service planned by our High Holy Day cantor and rabbi takes place in our sanctuary. Many in the congregation sing along with piyyutim and prayers. Honors are widely allocated; seats are not assigned and visitors are freely admitted. Do you have a choir? Yes 10

11 Comments: Our choir of eight professional singers, and our High Holy Day cantor, a scholar and composer of Jewish music, have been with us 12 years. They use classical and modern arrangements of prayers and piyyutim, and encourage the congregation to sing along. Do you have parallel services? Yes A Family Service and a Minyan Katan service also take place on the High Holy Days. Members of these services join with the main service for one of the Torah processionals, and for the final shofar blowing at the end of Yom Kippur. CRZ also accommodates a service for Moadon Kol Hadash ( a northside independent after-school center for Jewish education. Who leads the services? Our rabbi, along with our cantor and lay-leaders, conducts High Holy Day services, delivers sermons, and gives occasional commentaries on the prayers. The Cantor and choir support the rabbi's leadership role. Our President delivers a short message on the state of the congregation. Other congregants lead the Family service and the Minyan Katan service; the rabbi visits both and takes part. What religious service is the synagogue most proud of and why? Our High Holy services are beautiful, with uplifting choral music and participation in honors by member families. We are proud of our welcoming daily minyan with regulars who find weekday inspiration and offer support to mourners. But we are proudest of our Shabbat services especially these aspects of them: 1. Masorti Shabbat morning service. Members lead davening, read torah (annual cycle), and give dvrei torah, inspiring others to do the same. 2. Naaseh v Nishma Shabbat morning service. Members find new interest and meaning through Torah discussions and rousing music. 3. Family Service Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat morning services. School-age children take an active role in singing, davening, and reading parts of the week s parsha. Even congregants without children find it a fulfilling service. 4. Minyan Katan. Children aged 0 to 8 learn and participate in the basics of a Shabbat service in a fun and warm environment. Is there a mikveh in the community? Yes Anshe Sholom B nai Israel Congregation Modern Orthodox; 12 miles away Adam R Straus Memorial Mikvah 540 West Melrose, Chicago, Illinois Phone: Fax: shul@asbi.org 11

12 Community Mikvah of the Conservative Movement Conservative; 25 miles away 3220 Big Tree Lane Wilmette, IL Phone: ( ) Bnei Ruven Community Mikvah Orthodox; 17 miles away 6350 N. Whipple Avenue Chicago, IL Phone: (773) Chicago Mikvah Association Orthodox; 18 miles away 6730 N. Mozart Street Chicago, IL Phone: (773) Is there an eruv in the community? No Describe your congregation s current approach to: 1. Instrumental music/music: A cantor or a knowledgeable lay person leads our services in appropriate nusach, with a lot of congregational singing. There is no instrumental music on Shabbat in the Masorti service or in the Family Minyan. The Na aseh v Nishma and Minyan Katan services both contain instrumental music. On High Holidays, the High Holiday cantor prepares a beautiful and meaningful service with the High Holiday professional choir. 2. Kashrut: Our kitchens are kosher. Kosher catering is required for functions and gatherings in the social hall. Congregational groups host vegetarian or dairy potlucks in the atrium. In the summer we have one Shabbat al Fresco a Kabbalat Shabbat service and milchik potluck at a member s home. 3. Egalitarianism: Services, including Torah reading and leading the davening, are egalitarian. 4. Electronic media on Shabbat: Electronic media are not allowed in the shul on Shabbat, except by doctors on call (who must silence their devices). 5. Gay and lesbian families: Gay and lesbian families are welcomed and are currently active members. 6. Interfaith families: The Jewish partner of an interfaith family is a member. Our previous rabbi converted several non-jewish partners of interfaith families. The last successful major religious policy change was: Introduction of the Na aseh v Nishma Shabbat service last year. 12

13 Describe the impact of this change: The Na aseh v Nishma service provides a different way to worship on Shabbat, attracting younger or new members and re-inspiring some established members of CRZ. Some who do not attend the Masorti minyan regularly come to Na aseh v Nishmah, and some regular Masorti attendees join the Na aseh v Nishmah group monthly. Overall, it has increased participation in Shabbat services. Describe the change process and what factors made the change successful: With input from our Rabbi in Residence and cantor, a group of members (including officers) planned the service after it was proposed at an annual meeting. Previously the Ritual Committee studied the issue of instrumental music. The group clearly stated the goals for the service, which fell within our Mission as a synaplex. Our cantor clearly explained her role, and because expert lay leaders help run both the Masorti and the Naaseh v Nishma services, it was possible to share the cantor between both services. What is likely to be the next major religious policy issue facing the congregation? We have many post-denominational Jewish members, and as we reach out to the unaffiliated, there may be more. We need to clarify our standards for activities that we will sponsor and for membership (or partnership with other organizations), which will raise questions about Shabbat observance, content of services and programs, and other issues. Most important, we need to develop a unifying, compelling rationale for Jewish participation and observance that can unify all our groups and engage the unaffiliated. What are future religious trends the candidate should know about? See immediately above. G. Programming 1. Congregational Retreat. Every May, congregants join together at the Perlstein Resort and Conference Center in Lake Delton, WI, operated by the Chicago JCC, for a weekend of Shabbat services, learning, hiking, playing games, and singing around a campfire. Last year, 73 people made the trip, almost double the number of participants in Shabbat al Fresco. On a Shabbat evening in the summer we gather in a member s back yard for a service outdoors, followed by a milchik potluck dinner. About 60 congregants, including seniors and families with young children attend. It draws us together in the midst of the summer months when so many members travel. 3. Our High Holy services provide opportunities to engage our community with uplifting choral music and prayer, study, and warmth. During the day and as an alternative to the Torah reading, one of our members leads a text study session which last year was attended by 30 + people. CRZ runs a parallel Neilah service for 13

14 children and families, which come together at Havdalah for a beautiful procession of children holding candles marching into a darkened sanctuary, followed by the final blowing of the shofar. Describe your current adult education program: Our many current learning opportunities are mostly lay-led. They include Talmud study after morning minyan every Monday led by our Rabbi in Residence, Lawrence Edwards; a synagogue Hebrew class every Sunday led by native Hebrew-speaking congregant who s also a teacher at Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School; a weekly class on the Book of Isaiah led by a congregant with a PhD. in Biblical Studies; A Tale of Two Cities, a biweekly class on Jewish history in England and France during the French Revolution led by a congregant with a Ph.D. in European History; and other classes, lectures, book groups, and concerts. CRZ also produces an annual Adult Learning Fair. On a Sunday morning shortly after the High Holidays, the congregation is invited to sample and sign up for adult learning opportunities for the coming year. Study group leaders set up tables where they explain their offerings, hold mini-sessions, and enlist those who are interested. This kicks off the learning year. See adult education web page: Describe your current social justice programs: 1. Our Vice President for Community Building organizes food and toiletry drives for local charities. 2. We send out letters encouraging members to contribute to Ma ot Chitim of Chicago. 3. We sponsor the Phillip H. Cohen Institute for the Visually Handicapped: Volunteer members meet weekly to transcribe books for the blind in cooperation with the Jewish Braille Institute of America. 4. Congregation Rodfei Zedek supports the Hyde Park-Kenwood Interfaith Council. Our former Rabbi participated actively with the Council including attendance at the annual Thanksgiving Day Service at Rockefeller Chapel that attracts hundreds of community residents of all faiths. CRZ also sponsored a food drive in support of the Hyde Park- Kenwood Interfaith Council Food Pantry. 5. The Hyde Park community offers ample opportunities to participate in social justice programs independent of CRZ, in which many of our congregants participate. Which adult Jewish learning opportunity is your congregation most proud of? Members give talks and divrei torah during Shabbat services. This has been a longstanding tradition that has grown during this past year. The speakers delve more deeply into a parsha or a prayer, and the congregants enjoy new insight into the texts as they listen to a fellow congregant s perspectives. Many of the divrei torah and talks have been posted on the CRZ website and some have been published in our 14

15 congregational journal TO LEARN AND TO TEACH, available at What does your congregation do to reach out to the unaffiliated? 1. Our High Holiday services are open to all, including students. 2. We offer introductory dues of $300 for the first year of membership. 3. The Na aseh v Nishma monthly service was instituted to appeal to those looking for an alternative to a full Masorti service. What are other committees and programs the rabbi should know about: 1. A long-range planning committee identifies new challenges, then researches and proposes strategies to meet them. 2. Each minyan has its own advisory committee. The chairs of each committee form a committee of their own. (Formerly the Ritual Committee) 3. New Communication Strategy Committee 4. Community Learning Committee 5. Tikuun Olam Committee 6. Chesed Committee Describe the rabbi s role in synagogue governance: The rabbi reports to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors who are responsible for staffing and administrative issues. The Rabbi has historically attended the Executive Committee meetings and Board meetings as a non-voting ex-officio member. Does the rabbi attend board meetings? Yes What is the rabbi s role at board meetings? The rabbi reports on and responds to questions about upcoming services and programs, and any new initiatives. The rabbi gives a good and welfare report at the end of the meeting. Much of the rabbi s work with the board is in the form of small meetings with officers responsible for different aspects of synagogue life. H. Congregation Education for Youth 1. What are your community s overall educational goals? We wish to: help children discover the joy and beauty of being Jewish in today s word, enable children to develop a sense of belonging to the Jewish Community, both locally and worldwide, enable children to develop Hebrew proficiency, 15

16 enable children to be knowledgeable about prayer and to participate in Shabbat and holiday services, and finally, enable children to be familiar with basic Jewish history and to develop a love for Israel. 2. Does your congregation have a preschool or early childhood programs? x Yes No If yes: x Onsite Offsite We partner with an independent early-childhood education program called the Jewish Enrichment Center, housed in our building. Describe the program: Our program for children from pre-school age through grade 3 is offered through the Jewish Enrichment Center. Led by Rabbi Rebecca Milder, the JEC holds sessions Sunday morning, and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons. The Center uses long-term project-based Jewish exploration and learning in a warm and supportive environment to introduce children to Hebrew, major texts, Shabbat and festivals, and important Jewish concepts. It emphasizes Jewish values of community and the value of each child. (For more information: 3. How many and which days does your supplemental school meet each week? CRZ s supplemental school for children in grades 1-7, The Family Institute for Jewish Living and Learning (FIJLL), meeting twice weekly on Friday afternoons and Sunday morning. Additionally, girls in grades 6-9 participate in the Rosh Chodesh: It s a Girl Thing program once per month. How many students does it have in grades K-8? 15 Describe the program: We have hands-on, experiential learning within a framework of defined learning objectives that include Jewish life cycle, liturgy and holidays, Jewish values and ethics (using Chumash and Talmud), prayer book Hebrew reading, including trope, Modern Hebrew (vocabulary, grammar, conversation), and Holocaust studies. Parents participate with their children in learning activities and services, with families working on their own text study and on two projects annually. The Friday afternoon session includes a participatory Kabbalat Shabbat service. Sundays feature Hebrew conversation, learning a specific tefillah (reading or chanting and exploring its meaning in depth), and lessons relating to our unit theme. For students in grades 6 or 16

17 7, our Cantor Rachel Rosenberg offers a seminar workshop for parents and children, followed by coaching for students in reading and thoroughly understanding their parshot and the prayers. Field trips and social media on unit themes enhance our studies. 4. How many b nei mitzvah does your congregation have per year? 6-10 (10 ANTICIPATED IN ) How many b nei mitzvah did your congregation have 5 years ago? 6 What is your congregation especially proud of in its b nei mitzvah program? We offer students and families a full experience of Judaism--both a supportive learning community and a spiritual home. We work one-on-one with individual students and their families as they approach this milestone to prepare and present a meaningful simcha. The b nei mitzvah, having learned the proper trope, chant a significant portion of their parsha and do a meaningful review of their parsha for a d var torah which they relate to their own life. Our bnei mitzvah are actively welcomed into our weekly service. 5. Does your congregation have a Post Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program? YES If yes, how many children are enrolled? _See below Describe the program: We offer three programs for teens: Rosh Hodesh: A Girl Thing (created by Moving Traditions of Philadelphia), for girls in grades 6-9 features informal monthly meetings in which students explore personal values, experience Jewish observance, and learn about Jewish women role models. Madrichim: This program involves post b nei mitzvah as teachers and learners in the Family Institute and the Jewish Enrichment Center. Teens assist with instruction and services, and also enjoy text study with their peers and a knowledgeable leader. Several of our graduates have become Jewish educators. Hyde Park Jewish Youth Group, in partnership with our neighboring reform congregation, KAM-Isaiah Israel, involves teens in social, service and religious activities such as a bowling outing, volunteering at a local food pantry, and participating in the Purim spiel. 6. What program for young adults are you most proud of? We are proud and grateful to be able to offer all three programs to our small cohort of teens. Madrichim perhaps most exemplifies CRZ s approach to synagogue life: grow by learning and teaching and helping others. 17

18 How many children are involved? 5 Describe the program: This is a new program for students in grades It combines leadership training and learning ethics through a Jewish lens. On Sunday mornings, each Madrich/Madricha works as a teacher s aide in either the Family Institute or the Jewish Enrichment Center. After the religious schools are dismissed the teens have a pizza lunch and workshop, with some of the sessions focused on principles of child development/teaching techniques and others on ethical issues examined through a Jewish lens. 7. How many children in your congregation go to Camp Ramah/Noam Camp: Last year, 6 were campers, 2 were staff. 8. How many children in your congregation are involved with USY/Noam? 1 (Last year, she was president of Anshe Emet ShmUSY. 9. How many children in your congregation are involved with USY/Noam summer programs? What other youth movements and camps are popular in your community? Many children attend JCC summer camps both day camps and overnight as well as summer camps run by Akiba-Schechter. Others attend OSRUI (a URJ Camp), with several serving as staff, including one who is a unit head. Some teens participate in the Hyde Park Jewish Youth Group, a joint group with our neighboring Congregation KAM Isaiah Israel. 11. Are there Jewish day schools in or near your community? Yes If yes, please fill out the following information about each of the schools: Name: _ Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School Website: Affiliation: Associated Talmud Torahs, Board of Jewish Education; supported by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation, the ATT, and the Chicago Kehillah Jewish Education Fund. Grades: Community pre-school and kindergarten; Jewish day school grades 1-8 Note: Akiba Schechter is our immediate neighbor and utilizes several of our classrooms for their classes. Together with the JCC they form our Jewish Campus. 18

19 Name: Chicagoland Jewish High School Website: Affiliation: United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Schechter Day School Network (Charter) Supported by Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Grades: 9-12 Name: Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School Website: Affiliation: Anshe Emet Synagogue; accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States since The school also is a member of RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network. Grades: Nursery through grade 8 Name: Ida Crown Jewish Academy Website: Affiliation: Associated Talmud Torahs. Affiliated with the Jewish Federation/Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. Grades: 9-12 Name: Chicago Jewish Day School Website: Affiliation: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago (JUF), Associated Talmud Torahs (ATT) and the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Metropolitan Chicago (CFJE). Member of RAVSAK, the Jewish Community Day School Network, and is a grantee of the prestigious Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE). Grades: Junior Kindergarten through grade 8 What is the total the number of students in local Jewish day schools? Akiba Schechter has approximately 171 students (K-8), and 117 students (preschool). What is the total number of students from your synagogue in day schools? 40 How does your congregation connect to the college age population? College-age children of members are invited to participate in davening, reading Torah, and having High Holy Day honors. Local students are welcomed to High Holy Day services without charge. Some graduate students are members of CRZ. There are three active organizations for Jewish students in our community including juchicago, 19

20 University of Chicago Hillel, and Chabad House, and children of members also often participate in them. PART III: SYNAGOGUE FINANCES AND HOUSING REMUNERATION We ask you to indicate either a specific figure(s) or a specific range. The Proposed Salary section should read, for example, the salary range is $120,000 to $150,000 or the minimum salary base is $150,000 or the maximum salary is $200,000. We ask you not to write negotiable with no numbers attached. A. Proposed salary (does not include the value of benefits): $66,670 to $100,000 (including benefits: $80,000 - $120,000) Comments: A maximum additional 20 percent is allocated for benefits. The specific distribution of benefits will be determined with the successful candidate. B. Standard benefits for the rabbi in addition to salary (not included in A above): 1. Pension contribution in benefit allocation 2. Major Medical Insurance Hospitalization _ in benefit allocation 3. Convention Allowance/Continuing Education _ in benefit allocation 4. Income Disability Insurance in benefit allocation 5. Professional Dues in benefit allocation 6. Vacation 3 weeks 7. Maternity/Paternity yes 8. Is FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Tax) covered or reimbursed (not applicable outside the U.S.)? No 9. Other benefits (e.g. Vacation apartment in Jerusalem, Canada Health Act plus provincial programs, etc.): None 10. Describe the benefits arrangements: See comment section above. Total value of benefits for the rabbi: 20% of Salary See comment section above. Housing (in addition to proposed salary) 20

21 A. Is housing provided by the congregation? No If yes, what is the distance from the synagogue? miles Describe the parsonage: Address of the parsonage: What is the estimated value of the parsonage? B. Where housing not provided by the Congregation, please describe : 1. The Minimum cost of housing: +/- $200,000 (see websites below for more appropriate ranges of housing. Being a small community housing prices can vary greatly and depend upon location, vintage, and needs. Please list: Type of housing: There is a rich variety of housing, including single family residences, condominiums, cooperative housing, and rentals. The following examples are from one of the realty web sites. 3-bedroom condo, $285,000, 0.6 miles from Synagogue 4 bedroom coop, $249,000, 0.3 miles from Synagogue Single family home, $515,000, 0.4 miles from Synagogue 2. Websites to check on housing in your community: (When searching use area codes and 60637, or the communities of Hyde Park or Kenwood) Urban Search Realty: MetroPro Realty: Hyde Park Herald : Mac Realty: macapartments.com 3. Have previous rabbis felt the need to drive on Shabbat? No 4. Are you willing to help the Rabbi purchase a residence? 21

22 No If yes, please explain how: Total Compensation Estimate the total value of compensation (salary + benefits + housing) = $80,000 to $120,000 Budget What is the size of the congregational budget? $685,000 What percentage of your budget is devoted to a. Operations/infrastructure: 42 % b. Staff: 47 % c. Programming: 11 % Does the congregation currently have a deficit? No If so, how is it met? PART IV: ADDITIONAL INFO If you are looking for an interim rabbi, please indicate why: NA What special needs do you have at this time? None If you are looking for a second rabbi, please indicate what special responsibilities they may have: NA Questions or concerns? Contact Rabbi Elliot Salo Schoenberg at eschoenberg@rabbinicalassembly.org,