The Rabbi Search Committee (RSC) is tasked with finding an extraordinary Rabbi to fill the Religious, Spiritual, Educational, Pastoral, Social Action and related needs of Columbia Jewish Congregation, Columbia Jewish Community School and the community
RABBI CANDIDATE INTERVIEW WEEKEND, February 26-28, 2021
Mikey Hess Webber
Click here for a complete agenda of the search weekend
Click here for Mikey Hess Webber’s Biography
November/December Accomplishments
- Sent congregational communications on the Rabbi Search status including next steps
- Conducted three first round and two second interviews with Rabbi candidates
- Scheduled a second round interview with a third Rabbi candidate for mid-January
- Continued planning for weekend virtual visits scheduled for late February / early March
November Update Click here for a comprehensive update on the Rabbi Clergy Search
October Accomplishments
- Resumed Rabbi Search Committee activities after the High Holy Day break
- Drafted second round interview questions
- Established first round interview schedule in preparation for interviews beginning in early November
- Drafted Rabbi Search weekend “virtual” visit schedule and activities
- Finalized candidate reference check questions, applicant acknowledgement and initial interview communications
- Initiated Rabbi resume reviews and scoring of initial candidates
September Accomplishments
- Submitted the Rabbi Search Application and required attachments to the Reconstructionist Movement
- Met with West End Manhattan Reconstructionist Synagogue President and Rabbi Search Committee Chair reviewing the impact of COVID-19 on their successful Rabbi search
- Drafted the applicant resume acknowledgement and initial candidate interview communications
- Created resume review scoring sheets
- Completed the initial interview protocol, interview questions and interview scoring criteria
- Drafted candidate reference check questions
- Welcomed new RSC members Michele Krupka and Julie Burns
July / August Accomplishments
- Reviewed the Rabbi/Cantor Search Survey results and analysis with the Survey Committee
- Completed the Rabbi Search Application for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Movement in preparation of publishing in September
- Completed the Resume Review Selection Criteria
- Finalized the RSC Standard Operating Procedures document outlining detailed tasks related to the milestone plan
- Drafted the Initial Zoom Interview Questions in preparation for interviews beginning in October
- Received guidance from the CJC Board on topics related to a range of synagogue topics required for the job application
- Received guidance from Rabbi Alpert at the Reconstructionist Movement Office on a variety of topics including the application
June Accomplishments
- Welcomed new RSC member Judy Young
- Drafted the RSC Standard Operating Procedures document outlining detailed tasks related to the milestone plan
- Completed detailed analysis from the 1:1 interviews providing additional input on Rabbinic Characteristics and Priorities
- Finalized February / March 2021 weekend interview schedule for Rabbi candidates
- Initiated Risk Mitigation strategy discussions should COVID-19 prevent weekend interviews
- Preparing initial DRAFT of Rabbi Search Application for the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Movement
- Requested additional input from the CJC Board on topics such as internal candidates and formal policies related to a range of synagogue topics
- Delivered the first RSC Email Communication Update to the congregation
May Accomplishments
- Finalized committee charter, communication plan, and milestone schedule
- Created Rabbi Search Web Page for communications to the congregation
- Provided April update to the CJC Board of Directors
- Obtained Beth Jacob Congregation, MN, and Oseh Shalom Congregation, MD, Rabbi Search Committee material such as interview questions and weekend interview schedules
- Developed Rabbi/Cantor Search questions in preparation for the June CJC survey
- Completed 9 1:1 interviews obtaining additional input on Rabbinic Characteristics and Priorities
- Met with Rabbi Alpert of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Movement and formally announced our Rabbi Search
- Assembled and reviewed CJC congregational demographics as input into the Rabbi Search process
April Accomplishments
- Initiated Discovery Phase of the Rabbi Search
- Assembled committee of 8 members and conducted our kickoff meeting (4/1)
- Established Organizational Chart defining Roles and Responsibilities
- Finalized Scope Statement and drafted scope document
- Drafted project plan defining major and minor milestones
- Established bi-weekly meeting cadence with the committee members
- Established a document repository
- Initiated discovery of Rabbi Search Processes, Community Communications, Job Descriptions, and Interviewing to name a few
- RSC attended two Rabbi Search Town Hall meetings with the Congregation (3/31) and CJCS (4/26), as well as the Cantor Search Town Hall (4/5)
- Met with Oseh Shalom Congregation in Laurel Maryland and obtained a briefing of their Rabbi search (4/13)
- Met with Beth Jacob Congregation in Mendota Heights Minnesota and obtained a briefing of their Rabbi search (4/30)
