Clergy Assistant and Lifecycle Coordinator

Congregation Beth Israel is a reform Jewish synagogue and non‑profit organization serving approximately 880 families in the greater Portland area.

The Clergy Assistant and Lifecycle Coordinator role is a full time, in‑office position that will take place on the Congregation Beth Israel campus in the alphabet district of Northwest Portland. We are a warm, and welcoming office with some flexibility around work from home needs.

Pay is $42,000-$47,000 annually with health insurance, 401k, and other benefits.

This position will support the Clergy (Senior Rabbi, Senior Cantor, Associate Rabbi), the Executive Director, and other departments with business duties. Your responsibilities will include organizing the Clergy’s calendars, scheduling meetings, organizing mailings, and communicating with congregants and community members on behalf of the Clergy. Must be flexible and able to manage projects, as well as maintain confidentiality and a high level of service.

This position will also support congregant lifecycle events such as death, baby namings, weddings, conversions, and B’nei Mitzvah. Technical skills are required, including facility with spreadsheets and databases, experience with Microsoft Office, familiarity with Zoom, and willingness to learn these programs and other programs at a high level of aptitude. Growth in this role looks like taking on additional duties and growing responsibilities.

Organization and flexibility are key!

Job responsibilities and scope are subject to change based on the skill set of qualified individuals and the ongoing needs of the institution over time.

• Screen incoming calls and visitors in a professional, business‑like manner; provide information regarding congregation, programs and services within scope of authority; and independently respond to general inquiries, concerns and complaints regarding services or programs or refer to other appropriate individuals;
• Act as the point of contact between clergy and internal/external clients;
• Perform multiple complex and responsible administrative and secretarial support duties simultaneously with fluid priorities and deadlines;
• Manage daily calendar and scheduling meetings and appointments for clergy, sending reminders for all appointments;
• Provide general office and programmatic support (including occasional night or weekend support);
• Support for Clergy programs including planning timelines, preparing or ordering supplies, and correspondence with participants;
• Scheduling travel and accommodations for Clergy or guests;
• Assist with and maintain cemetery processes, communication, and burials;
• Support for congregants including scheduling, answering questions, and connecting them with appropriate staff and support;
• Work proactively to anticipate professional responsibilities of the Clergy and to independently determine how to meet those professional responsibilities; and
• Attend staff and other meetings as required.

• 3 or more years of administrative office experience;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with other staff;
• Ability to handle requests and queries appropriately;
• Ability to maintain appropriate work habits including regular and punctual attendance and maintain a flexible schedule, including occasional evening or weekend correspondence;
• Ability to effectively deliver support and scheduling in an online environment using tools such as Microsoft Office and Zoom;
• Ability to support office and membership efforts using database tools such as Shul Cloud (or a willingness to learn these and other programs);
• Familiarity with InDesign and Adobe preferred but not required.

Duties are primarily performed in an office environment. This position requires visual and auditory acuity within normal limits, and requires the ability to use a computer keyboard for extended periods. Clear verbal communication ability is required.

As a Congregation Beth Israel full‑time employee, you will be part of the CBI benefit package. CBI contributes all or most of your medical insurance premiums at the individual level, depending on which plan you choose. Voluntary plans include Dental. In addition, as a full‑time employee, you will receive a free membership to CBI and a discount for enrolling students in our Early Childhood Center called The Jennie.

This position reports to the Office Manager. Interview process will include a phone interview, followed by an onsite interview, if relevant. Please send resume to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Include cover letter in body of email. The position is available to start immediately, with a flexible starting date for the right candidate.