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Holy Blossom Temple
Our Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Summer 2012
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
Overview
The Journey of Rabbinic Transition
An Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
Estimated Timelines for our Rabbinic Transition
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Overview
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Rabbinic Transition Framework:
– This presentation summarizes the framework approved by the HBT Board of Directors on May 31, 2012 for planning and
implementing our Rabbinic Transition Process.
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Materials herein draw almost entirely upon URJ resources related to the journey of rabbinic transition. The primary URJ sources
are Rabbi David Wolfman, who until recently was the Lay-Clergy Relations & Transition Specialist at the URJ, and Dr. William
Bridges, an expert in Transition Management for organizations of all kinds.
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The framework has been reviewed and is supported by Rabbi Dan Freelander, URJ Senior Vice-President and Rabbi Arnie Sher,
former Director of Placement of the CCAR (retired) who each bring deep experience to this area and are also advising the Temple
during our transition process.
Transitional Rabbi:
– The URJ wisdom indicates that the presence of a Transitional Rabbi is an underlying and foundational component of a healthy
Rabbinic Transition. Whether on a full-time, part-time or consulting basis, the involvement of an experienced , objective Rabbi,
with specific training related to this journey, is known to provide beneficial support and guidance to all involved including, the
Senior Staff, the Senior Rabbi, the congregation, and the lay leadership. The Temple’s professional staff have indicated strong
support for this concept. This framework assumes that Holy Blossom will follow the URJ’s recommended practice and that the
process engaging a Transitional Rabbi will be completed soon.
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Overview cont’d
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The Journey of Rabbinic Transition:
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Proposed Organizational Structure:
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The Journey of Rabbinic Transition is presented as a four stage process. This document outlines the purpose and activities of
each stage in rough detail. The timing of the stages are not absolute. Members of the congregation will be expected to move
through this journey at varying paces.
An organizational framework is presented which lays out a committee structure designed to provide for effective oversight
and execution of the multiple activities required to implement a successful Rabbinic Transition.
Estimated Transition Timelines:
–
An estimated timeline is provided to help guide the Board of Directors and the congregation in discussions.
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Healing
Discovery
Search
Integration
• The Journey of Rabbinic Transition is structured as a four stage process because this best describes the key
milestones that congregations work through during this very sensitive and important period.
• Although it is understandable that some would suggest we should move quickly through this period of
uncertainty, best practices indicate that a congregation should not rush through the transition without
allotting appropriate time and energy to each stage.
• The URJ stresses that proper attention to each phase is a critical requirement for successful outcomes.
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Healing
Discovery
Search
Integration
The first stage is Healing:
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This is the process of Coming to terms with the emotions and interpersonal stresses that are associated
with the retirement of Rabbi Moscowitz.
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While many are looking forward, others feel the loss of “their” rabbi.
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We must identify, respect, and give voice to the feelings of all parties and Acknowledge that this time is
laden with a range of emotions including sadness, hurt, frustration, anger, uncertainty and expectation.
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It is important to recognize and support the differing needs of Rabbi Moscowitz, Professional Leadership,
Lay Leadership, and the Congregation at Large.
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Also we must Ensure that professional staffing levels are well maintained and this motivates the need to
engage a Transitional Rabbi and potentially other Rabbinic support in order to ensure proper care
continues uninterrupted for all members.
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Healing
Discovery
Search
Integration
The second stage is Congregational Self-Discovery:
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This is a time where we ‘search within ourselves’ in order to help develop a common vision of our future
together and clarify our aspirations for senior rabbinic leadership.
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The plan is to organize facilitated gatherings and focus groups in which as many congregants as possible give
meaningful input to provide clarity regarding:
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Our vision for the future
Our needs and wants as a congregation
Our purpose as a congregational community
and Our aspirations for Senior Rabbinic Leadership
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Healing
Discovery
Search
Integration
Following the introspective discovery period we will be prepared for the third phase, Search:
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This involves the selection process for a new spiritual leader who matches the articulated congregational
expectations for our future.
The process will be informed by the Congregational Self-discovery as to key search attributes.
It includes:
• Canvassing and studying the credentials of appropriate candidates
• Visiting, observing, and interviewing prospective candidates
• Coordinating in-depth sessions between prospective candidates and the Professional Staff.
• Coordinating the introduction of prospective candidates to the congregation
• and finally, recommending to the Board of directors which of the candidates be engaged by the Temple
as the new spiritual leader for our congregation .
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Holy Blossom Temple
Journey of Rabbinic Transition
Healing
Discovery
Search
Integration
The journey of Rabbinic transition does not end when a new spiritual leader is hired.
The Integration phase is critical to success:
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At this phase it is essential to continue working with all constituencies in the congregation to promote the
successful integration of the Senior Rabbi Designate into the life and spirit of the congregation.
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Events will be planned to welcome the Senior Rabbi Designate and excite/galvanize the congregational community.
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We will strive to provide the future Senior Rabbi and family with opportunities to become involved in the
congregation and community.
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The clarification and alignment of the mutual expectations of the Senior Rabbi Designate, lay leaders and the
congregation needs thoughtful attention during this period.
•
To that point, it is highly recommended that we use the resources made available by the URJ, including the Shallat
Rabbinic Transition Program and Retreat which is a time for the senior rabbi and senior lay leaders to retreat, reflect
and consider the first year of the new relationship, and identify what’s working, what’s not and how to fine tune
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the partnership.
Holy Blossom Temple
Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
• In order to properly manage a successful transition, a structure which facilitates overall coordination and
control, and at the same time provides for marshaling resources on a phase by phase basis was deemed
appropriate.
• As is shown on the chart, the framework envisions a Rabbinic Transition Steering Committee, accountable to
the Board of Directors, and 4 sub-committees, one for each of the transition stages previously described. 10
Holy Blossom Temple
Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
• The Rabbinic Transition Steering Committee’s Mandate is the Overall coordination and control of the multi-year Rabbinic Transition
Process, from selecting the Transitional Rabbi to integrating the Senior Rabbi Designate.
• Proposed Leadership for this committee is a Chair and Vice-Chair, each Holy Blossom members of high standing with experience in
governance and transition management.
• Additional committee members will include, the Transitional Rabbi, the Senior Associate Rabbi, Select members of the Temple with
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relevant expertise, and the Executive Director.
Holy Blossom Temple
Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
• The Congregational Healing Committee’s mandate is to help the congregation heal and come to terms with the emotions and interpersonal
stresses implicit in the retirement of Rabbi Moscowitz and to Guide the Lay Leadership and Professional Staff through a process of reflection,
healing, and forward thinking.
• The Leadership for this committee will be the Transitional Rabbi as Chair, and Rabbi Splansky (our senior associate Rabbi ) as Vice-Chair.
• Additional committee members will include Representatives from a cross section of temple membership, the Membership Chair , the Worship
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Chair, the Jewish Living Chair, the Sisterhood President, the Brotherhood President and our Professional Staff.
Holy Blossom Temple
Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
• The Congregational Self-discovery Committee’s mandate is to ‘search within ourselves’ in order to develop a common vision of our future
together and our aspirations for senior rabbinic leadership.
• The committee Chair will be a Member with expertise in coordinating, planning and executing strategic activities of this kind.
• Additional committee members will include Representatives from a cross section of temple membership with relevant expertise, the Transitional
Rabbi, the Senior Associate Rabbi, the Administration Chair and the Executive Director.
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Holy Blossom Temple
Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
• The Rabbinic Search Committee’s mandate is the selection of a new spiritual leader who matches the articulated congregational expectations for
our future.
• This committee’s Chair and Vice-Chair will bring expertise in rabbinic issues, have understanding and experience in the Reform movement, and
will be members in high standing who hold the trust and confidence of the congregation.
• Additional committee members will include, Representatives from a cross section of temple membership who have appropriate backgrounds in
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any of; search, worship, social action, and Jewish scholarship. The Worship Chair and Education Chair will also sit on this committee.
Holy Blossom Temple
Organizational Framework for Rabbinic Transition
• The fourth committee is the Rabbinic Integration Committee. Its mandate is to engage all stakeholders in the successful integration of the Senior
Rabbi Designate into the life and spirit of the congregation.
• The Chair and Vice-Chair of this committee will be members with deep ties across the congregation.
• Additional committee members will include, Representatives from a cross section of engaged Temple members, the Worship Chair, the Jewish
Living Chair, the Membership Chair, the Sisterhood President, and the Brotherhood President.
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Holy Blossom Temple
Estimated Timelines for Rabbinic Transition
Rabbinic Integration
Rabbinic Search
Congregational Self-discovery
Congregational Healing
Date
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Transitional Rabbi
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
ESTIMATED TIMELINE
Estimated earliest starting point of each stage
The chart shows the four stages of transition in different colors across a timeline from the Spring of 2012 through December 2016.
We can expect certain key milestones:
The Transitional Rabbi will join us in September 2012.
The Self-discovery phase will begin after the High Holy Days of 2012 and run through the Spring of 2013.
The Search Committee will begin its work in the Spring of 2013 and will be engaged through June of 2014 -though possibly longer.
The contract cycle for most congregations and rabbis normally runs through the end of June each year. As such, it is most likely that a
successful candidate ‘s timing will be constrained by that common practice.
All things considered, it can be reasonably expected that the congregation will have selected and engaged our new Senior Rabbi Designate
before the High Holydays of 2014.
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