Senior Rabbi Search - Fact Sheet
Why is Rabbi Goor leaving? Rabbi Goor and his husband, Cantor Evan Kent, plan to make Aliyah and move to Israel in July 2013.
Will there be a national search for our next Senior Rabbi? Yes. The Senior Rabbi Search Committee (“Search Committee”) believes strongly that we are obligated as a congregation to consider the entire pool of qualified candidates. The Search Committee has solicited advice from other congregations that have recently gone through this process and sought best practices advice from the Rabbinical Placement Commission (A collaborative group representing the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Hebrew Union College and the Union for Reform Judaism). In addition, Temple Judea has performed national searches in the past and will call upon the institutional memory in our community to help with this process.
Will Rabbis Bender or Moskovitz be included in the national search? Yes. Both Rabbis Bender and Moskovitz are interested in the position and understand the need for a national search to legitimize the rabbi who is ultimately selected.
Can we have Co-Senior Rabbi’s? Clear institutional vision is vital to the health of the temple and the model of a single spiritual leader has proven most successful in achieving this type of vision. In discussing this with both Rabbi's Bender and Moskovitz, they agreed with this position.
What is the search timeline? The search will take approximately 12 months. By the end of May, the Search Committee will submit an application/job posting through the Rabbinical Placement Commission that will act as the liaison with the potential applicant pool. In early fall, applicants will be interviewed over the phone or via Skype. A second round of interviews with top candidates will be held in-person in late fall, at which time members of the community will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the candidates. Members of the Search Committee may also travel to candidates’ current congregations to gather additional information and watch them interact with their community. In early 2013, a congregational vote on the recommended candidate is expected.
How was the Senior Rabbi Search Committee formed? Our Temple President Michael Robbins selected the co-chairs of the Search Committee, Steve Poretzky and Andy Keimach. According to our bylaws, it is the Temple President’s responsibility to appoint committee chairs and members. The co-chairs and the President identified committee members who were active members and who represented numerous demographic categories. Considerations included length of membership, a desire for diverse generational representation, and a mix of board member and members not on the Board. In addition, members with professional expertise were included to support the search process including labor attorneys, professional recruiters, and individuals experienced with focus groups and surveys.
Will the congregation have any opportunity to give input to the selection process? Yes. The Search Committee will be soliciting views of the entire Temple Judea community through focus groups, a survey and town hall meetings. The community’s input about the future of Temple Judea and the qualities desired in a Senior Rabbi will be the basis for screening criteria used and recommendations by the Search Committee. Broad participation from congregants is critically important to ensure that the Search Committee reliably reflects the views of the community.
How will the criteria for selecting our next Senior Rabbi be created? The criteria will come directly from the congregation through focus groups, surveys, and interviews and will be a reflection of the community’s priorities.
How will the final decision of selecting a Senior Rabbi be made? The interview process will narrow the candidates, with the final decision about the candidate recommended by the Board of Trustees being made by congregational vote. If approved, this congregational vote will empower the Board to offer the position to a selected candidate.
How will the congregation be kept up to date when key decisions are made? In addition to emails, letters and a dedicated page on our website, periodic Town Hall meetings will be held to update congregants on the status of the process.
Will more than one candidate be presented to the congregation for a vote? The congregation will have multiple opportunities to meet and interact with and give feedback on the final few candidates for Senior Rabbi. Based on information gathered during the entire interview process, the Search Committee will recommend one candidate to the Board of Trustees and it is expected that the Board will recommend one candidate to the entire Temple Judea community for a vote.
Will there be a transitional time where Rabbi Goor and the new Senior Rabbi overlap? Yes. Rabbi Goor is committed to working with the next Senior Rabbi to ensure a smooth transition.
Will Rabbi Goor continue to be a part of our community? Yes! Rabbi Goor will become Rabbi Emeritus in July 2013 and plans to maintain an active relationship with Temple Judea. He is keeping his Los Angeles home and looks forward to visits when he returns to the area.
Whom do I contact if I need further information? Michael Robbins at or the Search Committee Co-Chairs at .