Clergy Assistant

Clergy Assistant

Job Title: Clergy Assistant

Employee Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Reports to: Rabbi

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9-5:30, Friday 9-3

About Us

Temple Rodef Shalom is a vibrant Reform Jewish congregation located in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC. Since our founding in 1962, we have grown into the largest Jewish congregation in Virginia, serving nearly 1,800 households. Each week, we are bustling with activity, serving nearly 200 families in our Early Childhood Center, nearly 800 students in our Religious School, and hundreds of people who walk through our doors to pray, sing, learn, connect, and mark lifecycle moments.

We have a dynamic and collaborative clergy team (three rabbis and two cantors), who lead our community in worship, preside over lifecycle events, and represent our values in the wider community. They breathe wisdom and vision, spirituality and music into everything we do as a congregation.

About You

The successful candidate is an experienced administrative professional, able to provide a wide range of support to the clergy team and a warm and welcoming face to the congregation. You enjoy being at the center of a community, supporting others, and helping a busy office run smoothly in a meaningful and mission-driven setting. You are personable, reliable and discerning, able to take initiative as a key member of the team and equally comfortable asking questions to ensure tasks are completed accurately and efficiently. You can manage multiple projects with confidence and a "can-do" attitude, even in high-intensity or stressful moments, and you are committed to providing the highest level of service to our members.

Essential Responsibilities

Administration

• Triage incoming calls, emails, and requests to and from clergy and direct accordingly
• Manage the internal clergy calendar with life cycle events and other appointments, as well as ensuring clergy programs are accurately reflected on the temple’s front-facing calendar
• Coordinate setups for various events and services, including weekly worship services, special services, Torah study sessions, and clergy-related gatherings
• Draft and produce clergy communications and donation acknowledgements
• Maintain inventory of ritual items and order supplies or catering as needed
• Assist with special projects such as congregational trips and new clergy initiatives
• Manage the emergency phone schedule and provide backup main phone line support
• Support the Shabbat Around Town initiative (5 per year): identify locations, serve as point of contact for selected venues, manage logistics and food ordering/deliveries.

Worship

• Organize materials for all worship services (Shabbat and holidays): create cue sheets, coordinate guests, and send reminders for special services
• Support High Holy Day preparations during the summer months, including compiling the Yizkor book and creating service programs
• Ensure a board member attends each worship service, manage their greetings and remarks
• Work select Jewish holidays including, but not limited to, Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur.

Life Cycle and Pastoral Care

• Coordinate logistics and provide support for life cycle events: births, weddings, conversions, and end-of-life care including funerals for congregants and their family members
• Be present at most funerals, to ensure a seamless and meaningful experience for mourners
• Manage clergy's pastoral care database, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality
• Other duties may be assigned.

Core Competencies, Required Skills and Abilities

The following qualities are essential for success:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Self-motivated and independent- takes initiative and anticipates clergy needs
• High emotional intelligence, able to interact effectively with diverse personalities
• A skilled multitasker, able to manage multiple projects with minimal supervision
• Highly organized, able to navigate a fast-paced environment and high-expectation culture
• Solution-oriented, able to analyze and resolve challenges, demonstrating good judgment
• Able to maintain confidentiality and discretion in personal and professional matters
• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends (1-2 per month, flex time offered), and during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
• An understanding of synagogue life, Jewish holidays, and customs is a plus; curiosity and willingness to learn are required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, comfortable using a range of technology (Zoom, databases like Shulcloud and FileMaker)

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent, college degree preferred
• 5-8 years of administrative, customer-service, membership, or related work experience

Temple Rodef Shalom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all employees. The Temple does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Medical insurance (including dental and vision) and FSA, generous PTO including parental leave, Retirement Plans, including employer contribution and match, Leave Early on Fridays, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance