Director of the Center for Jewish Life and Lecturer in Jewish Studies

Job Description

Position Summary Hamilton College seeks a dynamic and pluralistic, student-centered rabbi to serve as the Director of the Center for Jewish Life and Lecturer in Jewish Studies. This individual will be instrumental in encouraging and nurturing the community, actively engaging them in the process of building and sustaining a vibrant, meaningful, and pluralistic Jewish campus community. The Director of the Center for Jewish Life is a key member of the Department of Spiritual and Religious Life’s multi-faith team, committed to nurturing spiritual life at the College.

Reporting to the Dean of Spiritual Life and Religious Life, the Director will:
Engage the broader College community. Facilitate religious practice and foster opportunities for multi-faith engagement. Promote spiritual wellness. Teach two courses per year in the Jewish Studies Program. Cultivate a close, collaborative partnership with the wider Jewish community at Hamilton (including Jewish Spiritual Life Affiliated student groups), to foster a vibrant community of belonging while contributing meaningfully to a growing Jewish Studies Program.

The Director will join an interdependent and engaged spiritual life team, collaborating on programs and portfolios across the department and participating in College-wide events. This includes leading College multi-faith rituals, supporting diverse religious observances, and teaching in the Jewish Studies Program.

• Leadership and Programming:
  Oversee, coordinate, and/or lead (where appropriate) all on-campus Jewish services, activities, and holidays including weekly Shabbat services, High Holy Days, and Passover observance.
• Teaching:
  Deliver academic courses in the Jewish Studies Program and offer accessible co-curricular Jewish learning through the Center for Jewish Life.
• Advising and
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Serve as a religious leader and advisor for all students, staff, and faculty, supporting and fostering Jewish life on campus. Cultivate strong, collaborative partnerships with the Jewish Studies Program, Hamilton Hillel and Chabad Student Groups, as well as local Jewish faith communities and organizations.
• Public Representation and Community Engagement:
  Maintain a visible public presence through campus ceremonies, vigils, committee memberships, training, and public speaking. The work centers on students but regularly engages faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and prospective students.
• Multifaith Leadership:
  Collaborate on and lead Multifaith and Spiritual Wellness Initiatives with professional staff in the Department of Spiritual & Religious Life.
• Spiritual Care:
  Provide attentive and sensitive spiritual care to community members, including offering a calm, non-anxious presence during times of tragedy. Serve as a privileged and confidential resource for the campus community.
• Resource and Facility Management:
  Oversee the Azel Backus House, the Center for Jewish Life's community space, which hosts Jewish Life and Learning and includes a kosher kitchen. Perform other duties as assigned.

• Rabbinic ordination (or pathway to ordination by July 1, 2027) and two to three years of relevant experience.
• Ordination or professional religious training from an accredited institution.
• Experience teaching at the college level is preferred.
• The preferred ideal candidate will be able to teach an introductory Judaism course in addition to another course based on their interests and expertise, including but not limited to Jewish texts, Jewish ethics/justice, Jewish liturgy, or Jewish music.
• Experience in a role of religious leadership, with a thorough understanding and performance of ritual and ritual practices preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• Ordination or equivalent (or pathway to ordination by July 1, 2027).

• Acute pastoral sensitivity and discretion.
• Ability to teach courses that introduce a diverse student body to Jewish religion and culture.
• Multifaith competency in understanding and working effectively with people of diverse religious backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to…