Union for Reform Judaism / Union Leadership Site / Guidelines for Rabbinical-Congregational Relations
 
As adopted and recommended by the URJ Board of Trustees and the CCAR -- Fall 1984

Guidelines for
RABBINICAL-CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

THEODORE K. BROIDO
1927-1984

Guidelines for Rabbinical-Congregational Relationships is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Theodore K. Broido, who was largely responsible for the previous editions of this booklet, and whose wisdom and compassion are reflected on every page of this edition. Ted worked tirelessly to create fair and happy relationships between Rabbis and Congregations, so that in all things Reform Congregations might witness to the very highest ideals of Judaism, and so that God's name might be sanctified in all our dwelling places. Truly, in the word of Torah, here was a man in whom was the spirit.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    PREAMBLE

  1. THE CONGREGATION AND ITS LEADERSHIP
    1. The Role of the Congregation
    2. The Role of the Congregational Leadership
    3. The Partnership of the Congregational Leadership and the Rabbi
    4. The Rabbi and the Board of Trustees

  2. THE AUTHORITY OF THE RABBI
    1. The Rabbi's Status in the Congregation
    2. The Roles of the Rabbi

  3. THE RABBINATE: (SENIOR) RABBI, ASSISTANT RABBI,
    ASSOCIATE RABBI
    1. Engagement of Additional Rabbis
    2. Titles
    3. The Assistant Rabbi
    4. The Associate Rabbi
    5. Co-Rabbi
    6. The Rabbi Serving Part-Time
    7. Temple Staff
    8. Pulpit Succession
    9. Former Rabbis

  4. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CONGREGATION AND RABBI
    1. The Nature of the Agreement
    2. Tenure Agreements
    3. Terms of Agreement
    4. Election of the Rabbi
    5. Copies of Agreements
    6. Differences of Interpretation
    7. Termination of Service

  5. RETIREMENT
    1. Planning for Retirement
    2. The Rabbi Emeritus
    3. The Deceased Rabbi's Spouse

  6. CONCILIAITON AND ARBITRATION
    1. The Function of the National Commission
      on Rabbinical-Congregational Relationships (NCRCR)
    2. Procedures of the Commission

PREAMBLE

Sacred Jewish values underlie the partnership between Rabbi and Congregation. To enhance the unique quality of this partnership the Board of Trustees of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the Executive Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis have jointly drawn up this third revision of Guidelines for Rabbinical-Congregational Relationships. The procedures set out in this booklet have been tested and refined through decades of experience.

Nothing in this publication is intended to supersede existing applicable law or the constitution and by-laws of the Congregation. However, by-laws generally conforming to these Guidelines assist in shaping harmonious Rabbinical-Congregational relationships. The adoption of these Guidelines by the UAHC Board of Trustees and the CCAR Executive Board does not automatically make them a part of the agreement between a Congregation and its Rabbi. For the Guidelines to apply to the individual Congregation and Rabbi, they must be specifically incorporated into the agreement between Rabbi and Congregation.

Out of their firm conviction that the implementation of the Guidelines will prove beneficial to Congregations and Rabbis alike, the leadership of the Union and the Conference call upon their members to accept them and to pledge faithfully to fulfill their high responsibility to each other.

The CCAR's Code of Ethics also deals with some of the topics covered in the Guidelines. The Code, revised in 1982, presents standards of Rabbinic behavior which the members of the Conference have agreed to maintain. The provisions contained in the Code are interpreted by the Conference's Committee on Ethics.

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