With Jewish communities emerging throughout the US and across the globe, the need for qualified rabbis and educators has grown. Often, searching for a suitable rabbi can be a daunting task.
Serving as the community arm of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), Yeshiva University’s (YU) Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) assists congregations, schools, organizations and communities in their search for rabbis. For over a century, RIETS, the Western Hemisphere’s leading center for Torah learning, has trained over 2,700 of the world’s most distinguished Orthodox rabbis, scholars and teachers.
“We’ve placed hundreds of rabbis over the years,” said Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg, director of the Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement at CJF. “With our talented pool of RIETS and RCA (Rabbinical Council of America) rabbis we are able to match communities with candidates who are best prepared to meet their needs.”
Rabbi Moshe Davis, a Yeshiva University and RIETS graduate, began serving as an assistant rabbi at Houston’s United Orthodox Synagogues in August after working with CJF’s Rabbinic Placement Office. “They demonstrated keen, hands-on knowledge of many of the Jewish communities across America,” said Rabbi Davis of CJF’s involvement. “I really felt that I had people advocating on my behalf.”
Rabbi Chaim Strauchler, rabbi of the 700-family member congregation, Shaarei Shomayim in Toronto, credits RIETS and CJF for where he is today. “My experience at RIETS gave me the basic skills that are crucial to my work as a teacher of Torah,” said the former Rhodes Scholar. “The CJF served as the shadchan (matchmaker) to connect me with Shaarei Shomayim. They were involved in every step of the process, providing advice from the interview stage through the contract and beyond. My family and I love our community and our shul.”
Another former YU graduate, Rabbi Elchanan Jay Weinbach, approached CJF with a somewhat complex request: “Find me a position that will allow me to do something truly meaningful for the world of Jewish education.” In a short time, CJF approached him about Los Angeles’ Shalhevet School—the only modern Orthodox K-12 school in the city.
“Thanks to the support from YU and CJF, my wife Yocheved and I are living the Jewish educator’s dream,” said Rabbi Weinbach.
Rabbi Zvi Engel recently began serving as rabbi of Congregation Or Torah in Skokie, Illinois. “The Rabbinic Placement Office gave me a high level of confidence in their ability to shepherd me throughout the entire search process,” said Rabbi Engel. “They guided me towards congregations that were appropriate for me and my family.”
CJF Rabbinic Programming follows rabbis into the field, encouraging continued professional growth, providing continued guidance and counsel, and supporting the personal development and well-being of rabbis and their wives.
To find out more information about CJF’s Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement, visit www.yu.edu/cjf.
