Temple Emanuel, an intimate, enthusiastic and diverse Conservative synagogue, is looking for a new Senior Rabbi to join our family. Founded in 1949, our congregation (127 units) is a blend of tradition and innovation; we are looking for a leader who will model Conservative Jewish practices in his/her lifestyle, teaching, worship services, and community building. Located just a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean, Temple Emanuel is a ruach-filled and financially stable synagogue. For far more information than you ever wanted, read on. To contact us, email Lawrence Weinstein ([email protected]), Rabbinic Search co-chair. TABLE OF CONTENTS Rabbinic Search Questionnaire ............................................................................. Section 1: General Information ......................................................................... 2 Key Contacts for Search Process .................................................................... 2 Section 2: Your New Rabbi ................................................................................ 2 Section 3: Your Jewish and General Community ............................................. 3 A. Jewish Community ...................................................................................... 3 B. General Community .................................................................................... 4 Section 4: Your Congregation ............................................................................ 6 A. Your Story, Your Values, Your Mission ...................................................... 6 B. Your Members ............................................................................................. 9 D. Your Space ................................................................................................... 9 F. Religious and Spiritual Life ....................................................................... 11 G. Synagogue Life, Learning, Outreach, and Programming ........................ 14 1 SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION Temple Emanuel 424 25th St Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757 428 2591 tevb.org Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/templeemanuelvb/ Jason Lovitz, President, [email protected] Lawrence Weinstein, Search co-chair, [email protected] Stephanie Calliott, Search co-chair, [email protected] SECTION 2: YOUR NEW RABBI In this section, we will ask for information that will help rabbis determine their potential fit as your rabbi. Are you searching for a Senior Rabbi, Associate Rabbi, or an Interim Rabbi? Senior Rabbi Why are you currently searching for a new rabbi? After eight years, our rabbi is moving out of the area to help with family responsibilities. What do you see as the top priorities for your new rabbi? Form strong relationships with existing members and deepen their involvement in our community. Partner with the board in finding ways of creative outreach. Help congregants at all levels of observance feel comfortable at and participate in services. What role do you want the rabbi to play in leading the congregation? Teacher: Lead thought-provoking study sessions for adults; provide direction and be actively involved in our religious school; connect with children. Worship Leader: Help congregants connect with G-d through meaningful kavvanot, engaging sermons, and musically uplifting services. Community Builder: build relationships with and among current and prospective members in informal settings. Re-engage long time members and encourage newer ones. What is the rabbi’s role at board meetings and in synagogue leadership? The rabbi is an ex officio member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors and is consulted on all major synagogue decisions. Our lay-leadership team works collaboratively with the rabbi in envisioning, planning and executing decisions related to the Temple’s future. Many smaller decisions are made quickly by the rabbi and President without involving meetings and delays. 2 What do you want your next rabbi to change? Expand the range of adult education programs; strengthen our relationships with the local Jewish Community. What do you want your next rabbi to preserve? Interactive and participatory spiritual services; our strong sense of community; strong educational programs for youth; encouraging children to lead services; general informality (beach feel). Based on who you are as a congregation and your goals for the future, what are some qualities, skills, and areas of expertise that you think your new rabbi would have or develop? Our new Rabbi sees creativity as a positive attribute and looks beyond “the way we’ve always done it”; is adaptable and flexible; connects well with children; is comfortable with technology; has a sense of humor; sings with ruach. Please describe features or customs of your congregation that rabbis might find unique or particularly attractive. Creativity and willingness to try new ideas; occasional Kabbalat Shabbat services on the beach; very participatory services (with congregants or B’nei Mitzvah students helping lead); rabbi encouraged to be involved in synagogue governance. SECTION 3: YOUR JEWISH AND GENERAL COMMUNITY A. JEWISH COMMUNITY Please describe your Jewish community (not just your synagogue), including population and key institutions. It’s helpful to add relevant websites so that rabbis can learn more. Are there Jewish day schools in your community? Yes. Please describe them and note any relationship that your synagogue has with them. Strelitz International Academy is a coed Jewish Day School (K-5) https://strelitzinternationalacademy.org/ Toras Chaim is a coed Jewish Day School (pre-school-8th grade) https://www.toraschaim.net/ Bina High School is a school (9-12th grade) for girls. http://www.binahighschool.com/ Yeshivas Aish Kodesh Talmudic Academy is a boys high school (9-12th grade). http://yeshivasaishkodesh.com/ How many students from your synagogue attend those schools? Two. 3 Are there other synagogues nearby? Please describe them and note any relationship your synagogue has with them. Our area consists of five cities, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Suffolk. Kehillat Bet Hamidrash, a Conservative, lay-led shul with about 50 members and no religious school, is the only other Conservative congregation in Virginia Beach. Congregation Beth Chaverim, a lay-led Reform congregation, lost its building recently and is using our facilities for worship. A few of their students attend our religious school. There are two Conservative shuls in the adjacent city of Norfolk: Temple Israel with approximately 250 members (15 miles away), and Temple Beth El with approximately 500 members (17 miles away). Norfolk also has a Reform, an Orthodox and a Chabad congregation. Because of their proximity, and the intimacy of our local Jewish community, Temple Emanuel has an excellent relationship with all of the Temples in our area. We do programs and events together with all the Temples. Many families belong to multiple Temples. Temple Emanuel and all area Congregations contribute funds to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation and to the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. These donations help to bring in many guest speakers and our local Jewish book fair. There is also a Jewish Community Center in Virginia Beach, serving the entire area. http://www.simonfamilyjcc.org/ Is there a mikveh in the community? The community has worked together to raise money and build a second upgraded mikveh. Located in Norfolk (less than 30 minutes from Temple Emanuel), the soon-to-be-completed mikvah is a comfortable and welcoming facility open to all Jews. It is conveniently located on the campus of B’nei Israel Synagogue. The mikvah is under the supervision of Rabbi Haber. http://bnaiisrael.org/mikvah/ Is there an eruv in the community that includes your synagogue? No B. GENERAL COMMUNITY Please describe your general community, including population, lifestyle, weather, economy, and relationships with local news, government, and law enforcement. It’s helpful to add relevant websites so that rabbis can learn more about what it’s like to live in your city. Welcome to Virginia Beach, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean! We are the largest city in Virginia with about 450,000 people, an area of over 400 square miles, over 20 miles of beaches, and an average temperature of 69 degrees (summer average 80o, winter average 41o). Together with Norfolk and other neighboring communities, the Hampton Roads area, population 1 million, hosts the world’s largest naval base and many other military installations. We are three hours from the nation’s capitol or the Blue Ridge Mountains, and only one hour from Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. 4 We have excellent relationships with local government and law enforcement and have had very positive coverage in local news media. https://www.pilotonline.com/life/faith/vp-nw-largest-lego-menorah-20191221- wk43wyr7gva45ntd3vlj5neeui-story.html https://www.pilotonline.com/life/faith/article_55172252-e699-11e8-bb75-234816217e7b.html The region offers a wide range of museums, theaters, music, water sports, outdoor activities, festivals, golf courses, biking paths, higher education, and other wonderful activities. From the list below, you can see there is something for everyone! 2019 study finds VA Beach best big city to live in: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-large- cities-to-live-in/14358 City of Virginia Beach: https://www.vbgov.com/ Chamber of Commerce: https://www.hrchamber.com/page/virginia-beach/