Egalitarian Rabbi/Senior Jewish Educator
Brown RISD Hillel
Role Overview
Brown RISD Hillel is seeking a visionary spiritual leader and rabbi who will help elevate Jewish wisdom and inspire Jewish practice and engagement across the entire ecosystem of College Hill. This is a unique moment for Jewish life at Brown and RISD. The elements to support a flourishing community dedicated to Jewish learning and innovation are all in place. We seek a rabbinic leader reflective of our vital community and able to serve as a resource and mentor, connecting students to the wisdom and power of our inherited traditions.
What You’ll Do
- Develop strong relationships with a diverse array of Jewish students, serving as mentor, pastor, and rabbi.
- Support leading innovative students to shape impactful projects and initiatives, enabling them to explore their passions and Jewish ideas.
- Transform the Jewish ambiance of College Hill with acts of “public space Judaism” and collaborations with cross-campus partners and clubs.
- Nurture the growth of BRH’s spiritual communities, strengthening opportunities for sophisticated engagement with Jewish text.
- Lead High Holiday services for students and the University community.
- Enliven the Shabbat & Chag experience for different types of Jews on College Hill, supporting student-led minyanim and being a presence at Shabbat & Chag meals.
- Elevate BRH’s Englander Beit Midrash as a center for Jewish intellectual and cultural engagement, text study, and platform for emerging Jewish voices.
- Collaborate with other senior level staff to shape and develop the mission and educational vision of BRH.
- Develop and nurture relationships with University student life, religious life staff, and the local Jewish community.
- Foster interfaith collaboration across campus.
- Oversee community service & tikkun olam initiatives.
On a day to day basis you will
- Meet with students in coffee shops across College Hill.
- Collaborate with BRH staff and student leaders, shaping a vision for Jewish educational initiatives.
- Gather with a dozen students to explore pressing contemporary questions through the prism of Jewish wisdom.
- Sit on the Main Green with a sign that reads, “Free Rabbinic Advice”.
What You’ve Accomplished
- Rabbinic ordination from a recognized seminary in America or Israel.
- Experience in community organizing, Hillel, youth movements, camping, or experiential Jewish education.
- Proven success in community building and outreach, and previous experience in program visioning and implementation.
- Training and experience in counseling, administration, development/fundraising is desirable.
What You’ll Bring to the Job
- Uncompromising commitment to Jewish pluralism.
- Capacity to translate a wide variety of Jewish textual traditions.
- A compassionate heart.
- A sense of humor.
- Connectivity to leading change makers in the Jewish world.
- Expansive vision for the possibilities of Jewish community and learning on a leading university campus.
- Rootedness in the land, people, and Torah of Eretz Yisrael.
- A joyful, optimistic, cooperative way of being in the world.
What You’ll Receive
- Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace. The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $100,000.
- A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurances, Flexible Spending accounts, generous vacation/sick time, and parental leave.
- Great professional development, mentoring, and skill building opportunities.
- Travel regionally and abroad, particularly to Israel.
About Brown RISD Hillel
Brown RISD Hillel is a nationally recognized leader in Jewish campus engagement, and is the gateway to Jewish life for students at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). More than a center for Jewish programming and ritual, Hillel is an integral part of the social, cultural, educational, and political life for students. Brown RISD Hillel is situated in the historic College Hill neighborhood of Providence, R.I., a cool urban center for creative entrepreneurs, recent grads, and young families. 45 minutes from Boston and just a short drive to beautiful New England beaches, Providence is a desirable emerging city, hosting a diverse and vibrant Jewish community with kosher restaurants and multiple synagogues.
About Hillel International
In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.
Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.
