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BETH ISRAEL CONGREGATION

KINGSTON, ONTARIO

RABBI SEARCH POSTING

 

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

Date: September 12, 2024

Synagogue Name: Beth Israel Congregation

Address: 116 Centre Street

City: Kingston State/Province: Ontario

Postal Code: K7L 4E6

Country: Canada

Telephone: 613-542-5012

Website: https://www.kingston-bethisrael.ca/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KingstonBethIsrael

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethisraelkingston/?utm_source=qr


 

KEY CONTACTS FOR SEARCH PROCESS 

Title 


 Search Committee Co-Chair


Search Committee Co-Chair

Name


Leonard Harris 


Stacey Reed

SECTION 2: OUR NEW RABBI

 

OUR ESSENCE

If there is a successful shidduch between you, as Rabbi, and us, as your congregation, this is what you will find shortly after arriving:

1. We are a fully egalitarian Conservative (USCJ) shul with prayer services almost entirely in Hebrew.

2. We have deep roots (>110 years), with some of the founding families still currently active.

3. We have healthy new growth, with 50 new members joining over the past 5 years.

4. We flourish under a broad canopy that supports diversity in levels of observance, paths to Jewish life, Jewish knowledge and commitment, personal and gender identity, sexual orientation, race, etc.

5. We have strong lay leadership and are financially secure.

6. As Rabbi of Beth Israel, you are the lead Jewish voice in Kingston.

7. We maintain strong connections with the other local Jewish organizations, e.g. Hillel, Kingston Jewish Council, Jewish Studies at Queen’s University, etc.

8. As a community of 150 member families, we actually like each other and get along well.

9. Our Clergy and Staff enjoy working with us, and stay for a while (6+ years).

10.Although formally employee/employer, your relationship with us is covenantal, as together we strive to do God’s work on earth.

WHY ARE WE SEARCHING FOR A NEW RABBI?

Our beloved Rabbi Erin Polansky, after shepherding and invigorating us over the past 6 years, is moving on to a new challenge as Senior Rabbi of Kehillat Beth Israel, Ottawa. To listen to her thoughts on Beth Israel and the current transition, click here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cf39GagskQ

PROJECTED START DATE: August 1, 2025

WHAT ARE THE THREE TOP ROLES THAT OUR NEW RABBI WILL PERFORM?

We recently surveyed our membership and more than 50% of those contacted responded. Our priorities are clear: Across all demographics, our membership wants our incoming Rabbi to relate well to members, be a strong teacher for children and adults, and provide energetic leadership to our congregation. Click here for Rabbi Search Survey Results August 2024:

https://images.shulcloud.com/6072/uploads/RabbiSearchSurveyResults.pdf

a) Relational Leader: Our members value their relationship with the Rabbi. In a small shul, it is possible for the Rabbi over time to meet and get to know (to varying degrees) all members. We understand that our Rabbi may not be our friend, but we expect our Rabbi to be friendly. As a teacher relates to their class, we wish our Rabbi to take an interest in all congregants.

b) Teacher:

i. Our Talmud Torah supplementary school program is our congregation’s linchpin. It is what attracts young families with children to join and to become active. We have over 40 school-aged children who meet together twice weekly to learn Hebrew, Torah, Jewish ritual and traditions, and ethical practices. The Rabbi is the Principal of the Talmud Torah, and is responsible for the curriculum and staffing, and ensuring that the school climate fosters chesed and love of Jewish life and learning. Our Rabbi will be able to connect well with children and inspire them.

ii. The weekly Shabbat Dvar Torah sermon and/or discussion is highly valued by those attending services. Congregants hope to learn something new or be provoked to consider thinking in new ways. As well, there is a loyal group who look forward to the weekly adult education classes led by the Rabbi. The topics of study are developed through discussion between the Rabbi and the adult learners. c) Congregational Leader: Lay leaders have lots of ideas, energy, and skill. However, it is the Rabbi who provides the vision and to some extent shapes the identity of the congregation. In this regard, the Rabbi serves both as coach and cheerleader.

WHAT DO WE WANT THE INCOMING RABBI TO PRESERVE AND/OR IMPROVE? More than 70 members responded to this open-ended question in our Rabbi Search Survey. In descending order of frequency of being mentioned, our priorities are: 4 conserving our quality Talmud Torah, preserving and enhancing our congregation as a warm and welcoming community, and providing opportunities for adult Jewish learning, joyful prayer services, and support for seniors and those unwell.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MENTORING, GROWTH, AND LEADERSHIP? Rabbi Polansky sits on the Rabbinical Assembly Ontario and maintains close professional relationships with rabbis in neighbouring cities such as Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa. There are opportunities for our incoming Rabbi to take courses at Queen’s University and to develop pastoral skills through Providence Care Hospital whose chaplaincy department runs a Clinical Pastoral Education program. Local interfaith clergy meet monthly to support one another professionally and inter-personally. Hillel Ontario staff and leadership are instrumental in fostering a feeling of having other Jewish professionals on whom to rely and with whom to collaborate.

SECTION 3: OUR CONGREGATION


A. OUR STORY

Beginning around 1890, some Jews who had left Central and Eastern Europe began arriving in Kingston, a small Ontario town of 20,000 people. They generally were attracted by the presence of relatives or friends. Family names included Abramson, Zacks, Susman, Robinson, Tevan, Turk, Rosen, Abramsky, Palmer, Sugarman, and Springer. Descendants of some of these families continue to live in Kingston and remain active in Jewish life. In 1908, Beth Israel was founded as an Orthodox Congregation, and in 1910 the Queen Street shul building was completed. Canadian immigration policy began to relax after World War II, and the population of Kingston Jewry grew. In 1954, the congregation acquired a large property on Centre Street on which stood an 1850’s villa known as Otterburn House. By 1961, the current synagogue building was completed adjacent to Otterburn. At that time, Beth Israel membership stood at about 100 families. Significant change came to Kingston’s Jewish community beginning in the mid-1960’s. Expansion of public institutions such as Queen’s University and Kingston General Hospital, as well as industrial and research facilities such as Alcan and DuPont attracted many new hires which included Jewish faculty, physicians, and other professionals. A number came from South Africa, the U.S. and larger Canadian cities. They joined the largely business class of Jews who made up the bulk of Kingston Jewry at that time. 5 Beth Israel thrived as an Orthodox congregation during the 80’s and 90’s, as the Talmud Torah was filled with the children of the baby boomers. By the 2000’s, however, there were fewer families who observed Orthodox ritual and attended religious services. In fact, it became a challenge to obtain a minyan at some Shabbat services. Consequently, the congregation voted to change its ritual to Conservative in 2012. Over the next few years, religious practice became fully egalitarian. The equal participation of women and men led to a revitalization of the congregation. Many new members joined, and membership in 2024 stands at 150 families.


B. OUR PURPOSE AND MISSION 

Beth Israel’s Constitution states: “Beth Israel’s purpose shall be to foster the teachings of Judaism and the Jewish tradition and to promote a sense of Jewish community. To achieve these objectives, the Congregation shall maintain an organization and a Synagogue for religious worship, a Talmud Torah, and provide for adult education, social and cultural activities.” Beth Israel’s mission is to meet the religious, educational, social and cultural needs of our members in a warm, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere. Beth Israel is a house of worship and also a meeting place for the wider Jewish community in Southeast Ontario. In the spirit of Klal Yisrael, the Congregation strives to support a healthy and secure State of Israel.


C. OUR MEMBERS

Beth Israel currently has 150 member units. About half are two-person families, a third are single adults, and a fifth are families with children 0-18 years.

About a third of our members are aged 20-60 years, and about two-thirds are 61+ years.

Forty percent of members have joined since 2014

 

The Membership Committee and the Rabbi connect with all prospective members. Once a family joins, our Social Committee ensures that they are welcomed at all events and are introduced to other members. Here are the membership trends over the past 12 years:

 

2012            120 members

2017            115 members

2019            121 members

2024           150 members

 

As a result of our programming and services, plus efforts to ensure newcomers experience a sense of belonging, we are one of very few congregations to increase their membership during the COVID years:

2019 – 2024 Attrition (moved, died, etc.) 20 members

2019 – 2024 New members (who have remained members) 49 members


D. GOVERNANCE AND STAFF

Beth Israel is governed by a five-person Executive and nine Trustees. The Constitution defines the rules for membership, ritual practice, government, and decision-making. Bylaws define the workings of the thirteen Standing Committees. The Operations Manual contains the organizational chart, Board and Standing Committee Policies and Procedures, and Terms of Reference for Ad Hoc Committees. Beth Israel has a full-time Congregational Administrator and a full-time Custodian. A Chazzan is hired for the High Holy Days to assist the Rabbi.


E. OUR SPACE

Our modern, up-to-date synagogue is well-maintained. On the main level, which is fully accessible, is the sanctuary, large social hall, Robinson extension multi-purpose room, a full kosher kitchen, Rabbi’s study, Administrator’s office, and accessible washrooms. On the lower level, which is not accessible to those who can not use stairs, are five classrooms, social hall, library, mikvah, and storage rooms. The sanctuary has a bima and flexible seating. During regular Shabbat services, the Torah table is not on the bima but rather is on the same level as the seating and therefore is accessible. The sanctuary opens up to the Robinson extension and the social hall. This allows the usual weekly available seating of 60-80 chairs to increase to as much as 300 seats if desired. In the sanctuary, Robinson extension, and social hall, there is a recently installed sound system with eight speakers, as well as a ceiling-mounted projector and screen in the social hall. We also have a state-of-the-art security system with multiple cameras both inside and outside the building.


 F. OUR CLERGY HISTORY

  

Name Years Served

 

Current Rabbi

 

Erin Polansky    2018-2024

 

Preceding Rabbi

 

Karen Soria   2014-2018

 

Preceding Rabbi

 

Shalom Plotkin   2012-2014

 

Preceding Rabbi

 

Daniel Elkin   1997-2010

G. SYNAGOGUE FINANCES

The T3010 Registered Charity Information Return detailing revenue and expenses for the years 2019-2023 are available here:

https://apps.craarc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.bnRtNmbr=106790124&q.stts=0007&se lectedCharityBn=106790124RR0001&dsrdPg=1

Our congregation is financially healthy. We have a significant Endowment Fund from which the annual return on investment may be used to offset any fiscal deficit. We are in the middle of a 5-year Legacy Campaign which has raised $400,000 in pledges to offset the cost of renovations to Otterburn House.


H. RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE

Weekly Shabbat morning services are the core of our religious life. They are held every Shabbat (except during July) from 10 am to noon, followed by a kiddush lunch. Attendance varies between 20 and 40 souls, and includes seniors, parents with children, “middle-agers”, twenty-somethings, regular (and nonregular) minyan makers, extended family, visitors, seekers, and those who are studying for conversion. A long-time member serves as a greeter to ensure that all those who attend are welcomed. Our custodian opens the locked front door to those who arrive, and plays a security role.

The services are joyful with lots of communal singing. The tefillah is in Hebrew and the majority of the congregation are familiar with the prayers and tunes. We occasionally introduce some new melodies, but do so judiciously so that the overall familiarity of the service is maintained. No instrumental music is permitted.

The ba’alei tefillah include the Rabbi, our volunteer chazzan trainee, the Hillel Director, and 5-10 lay members who are skilled in leading prayer as well as chanting Torah and Haftorah. We have a Google doc sign-up sheet so that members can volunteer weekly 9 to lead Shacharit, the Torah service, Musaf, or function as the Gabbai. The Rabbi is responsible for the weekly Dvar Torah, or topical lesson and discussion.

The Torah is read on a triennial cycle. Typically, it is chanted from the Chumash while the Gabbai uses the Yad to follow along in the Torah scroll. Participation and leadership are 100% egalitarian. Also, there are roles that nonJews are permitted to perform, e.g. opening and closing the ark, reading the English prayers for Israel and Canada. Some of our Shabbat services are livestreamed to include those who are unable to attend in person.

We occasionally (but not routinely) hold a Kabbalat Shabbat service, sometimes followed by dinner. Periodically, we hold family services with the teachers and students from our Talmud Torah. We also program joint services with Hillel and members of the Reform Iyr Hamelech Congregation. For the past few years, we have a special Pride Shabbat service in June that is well-attended.

Services are held on the first day of the three festivals; we recite Yizkor as they do in Israel—on day 7 of Pesach, day 1 of Shavuot and on Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah unless the first day of the chag falls on a Friday. The congregation cannot sustain two days of services in a row (except for Rosh Hashanah) so we adjust accordingly. We hire a professional Chazzan for the High Holy Days, and the services are well-received. College/University students are welcomed at no charge. We also offer a family-friendly service on Erev Rosh Hashanah and the afternoon of Yom Kippur.


I. LEARNING AND PROGRAMMING

We are proud of our Bader-Elkin Talmud Torah (BETT) program. It is a professionally staffed supplementary religious school for children from preschool through to BMitzvah. Each year, there is a primary focus for learning based on the three pillars of Judaism (Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Hasadim). Historically, our Rabbi serves as the Principal of the school program. For more details about BETT, see our website: https://www.kingston-bethisrael.ca/bader-elkin-talmud-torah.html

The Rabbi is primarily responsible for preparing students for their b’nai mitzvah, assisted by tutors. In a typical year, there are about three B-Mitzvah celebrations.

We have an active Adult Education Committee that, together with the Rabbi, prepares an annual line-up of learning opportunities. These include weekly Nosh and Drosh, selected mini-courses including Hebrew language instruction, and periodic Shabbatons with visiting scholars. We also participate with Hillel during Holocaust Education week, and join Kingston Jewish Council (KJC) in their yearly commemoration of Yom Hashoa.

 Further, the Dept. of Jewish Studies at Queen’s University periodically hosts guest lecturers. For example, Dr. Susannah Heschel will be visiting Queen’s in September.

Beth Israel hosts an annual Hannukah party and a lively Purim Shpiel. Our members participate in KJC’s Light Up the Night Hanukkah celebration in Springer Market Square as well as the innovative Sukkah in the Square program. https://jewishkingston.org/sukkah-in-the-square/

Beth Israel members form the local Chevra Kadisha, and the Cemetery Committee is responsible for the care and management of the Beth Israel Cemetery. One of our recent initiatives is the establishment in our synagogue of the L’Dor Vador Holocaust Museum. It offers an audio self-guided tour of exhibit panels documenting ten Holocaust survivors who made their lives in Kingston after the war. https://www.kingston-bethisrael.ca/ldor-vador.html

SECTION 4: OUR JEWISH AND GENERAL COMMUNITY


A. JEWISH COMMUNITY

There are 1000-1500 permanent Jewish residents in Kingston (population ~150,000). The majority of them are not affiliated with a congregation. In addition to Beth Israel, there is a small Reform Congregation Iyr HaMelech. https://www.facebook.com/IyrHaMelech/

Between 1500-2000 Jewish students attend Queen’s University. Many of them are active in Hillel. https://hillelontario.org/queens/ The professional leadership of Queen’s Hillel are active members of Beth Israel, and there is great synergy between our two organizations.

The Chabad Student Centre of Kingston provides programs and services to Jewish students at Queen’s and the other post-secondary institutions – St. Lawrence College and Royal Military College. https://www.chabadstudentcentre.ca/

The Kingston Jewish Council is a local umbrella organization that furthers the welfare and security of the Jewish community, facilitates philanthropic, social, cultural, and educational activities, and speaks for the Kingston Jewish community on secular matters. https://jewishkingston.org/


B. GENERAL COMMUNITY

Kingston is known as one of the best places to live in Canada. It has a thriving downtown district, with a vibrant art and theatre scene. Kingston has the most museums per capita and plenty of lively summer festivals. Situated on picturesque Lake Ontario, its waterfront bike trail and the Gord Downie Memorial Pier offer easy access to exercise and fresh water swimming. Traffic is minimal, which means that getting anywhere in the city usually takes about 15 minutes. Green spaces, like regional conservation areas, Ontario Parks, and National Parks are also a short drive from the city. Plus, compared to larger cities, housing is relatively affordable. https://www.investkingston.ca/why-kingston/quality-of-life/

Kingston is equidistant (2-2.5-hour drive) from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Syracuse, N.Y. It is an historic city with an abundance of preserved 19th century homes. The Globe and Mail claims that Kingston has a small town feel with big city features. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-kingston-ontario-asmall-place-with-big-city-features/

SECTION 5: OTHER INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

We are not limiting our search to members of the Rabbinical Assembly. However, applicants should understand that Beth Israel follows Conservative ritual and standards. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible with a cover letter and resume to RabbiSearchLH@kingstonbethisrael.ca and RabbiSearchSR@kingstonbethisrael.ca and no later than November 3, 2024.

 

APPENDIX: COMPENSATION


A. MONETARY COMPENSATION

Base Salary Range (not including benefits): $140,000 - $180,000 CDN dollars (equivalent to approximately $104,000 – 133,000 U.S. Dollars)


B. BENEFITS

We do not provide housing. However, 33.3% of base salary is a non-taxable housing allowance.

Pension contribution: 4% of base salary - Approximate value $6000+ CDN

Major Medical Insurance, including hospitalization for Rabbi and family: Provided at no charge by the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

Supplementary Health Insurance for Rabbi and family (for services such as prescription drugs, dental, vision not covered by OHIP): Provided - Approximate value $6000 CDN

Disability Insurance: Provided - Approximate value $3000 CDN

Convention Allowance/Continuing Education: $3000 CDN

Rabbinical Assembly (or equivalent) Annual Dues: Paid for by the synagogue – Approximate value - $1000 CDN

Auto + Cell Phone Allowance $5000 CDN

Other allowances, such as moving costs and legal fees. Approximate value $6000 CDN

TOTAL VALUE OF BENEFITS: ~$30,000 CDN plus free Major Medical and Hospitalization

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

$170,000 - $210,000 CDN (plus free Major Medical and Hospitalization)


C. VACATION

4 weeks annually, plus 4 additional weekends per year

Sat, 12 October 2024 10 Tishrei 5785