The process of finding a new rabbi is a significant journey in the life of the congregation, and the Joint Placement Commission is here to help you make the experience as sensitive, effective and positive as possible.

Searching for a new rabbi is similar to the process of seeking a spouse; you create a list of criteria, then meet candidates with those criteria to see if the chemistry works. The "dating" period can be exciting and exhilarating, but can also lead to anxious moments. The Joint Placement Commission is available to congregations at all times during this process, via mail, phone, fax and e-mail, to help you find the best rabbi for your congregation. The Joint Placement Commission can be contacted at: 3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, Phone (212)280-6000, fax (212)749-9166, E-mail: placement@rabbinicalassembly.org

To develop the list of criteria for your ideal rabbi, we have developed several tools. The most basic tool is the "Congregational Questionnaire," which is usually completed by the search committee (with the participation of the Senior Rabbi when an Assistant Rabbi is sought). The congregation must also return the "Signature Form," which acknowledges that the congregation has read and agrees to abide by the placement rules set by the Joint Placement Commission. The Questionnaire is your congregation's resume; we send this document to all rabbis who express interest in your congregation. Once we have received your completed Questionnaire, we will include your congregation in our Placement Bulletins, mailed to the 1,600 rabbis worldwide who are members of the Rabbinical Assembly. We will also post your congregation's listing on our website in the "Members" section. When a rabbi expresses an interest in applying for an open position at your congregation, we will forward the resume to you via e-mail, (The placement process is entirely conducted electronically.)

To begin the rabbinic placement process, please send us an e-mail to placement@rabbinicalassembly.org and let us know the name of the congregation, city, state and contact information for the chair of the search committee. By return e-mail we will send you the questionnaire, the signature form, the model contract, and a 70-page booklet entitled "Engaging a Rabbi", which provides a wealth of information on how to engage a Rabbinical Assembly member as Rabbi of your congregation. If you wish to contact the Placement Director directly, send an e-mail to: eschoenberg@rabbinicalassembly.org.

Welcome to Placement. We look forward to working with you.

Rabbi Elliot Salo Schoenberg
Placement Director

For more information about the placement process, contact the director by e-mail: eschoenberg@rabbinicalassembly.org