Guidelines for
RABBINICAL-CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

I. THE CONGREGATION AND ITS LEADERSHIP

A. The Role of the Congregation

For more than two millennia the Synagogue has served our people as Beth Hatefillah, House of Prayer, as Beth Hamidrash House of Study, as Beth Hakeneseth House of Assembly. As it fulfills these classic roles, the modern congregation becomes worthy of the designation Kehillah Kedoshah, a "holy community."

Although historically each Congregation is autonomous, Reform Congregations in North America are voluntarily united in common purpose through the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Reform Rabbis, who in the tradition of the rabbinate enjoy autonomy in the practice of their calling, are associated in the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

The Union was founded in 1873 by Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise. In 1875 Rabbi Wise established the Hebrew Union College for the education of Rabbis. In 1950 the College merged with the Jewish Institute of Religion, which had been founded in 1922 by Rabbi Stephen Samuel Wise. The College-Institute, with campuses in Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem, has ordained the great majority of Reform Rabbis serving in North America. The Central Conference of American Rabbis, the third great institution of the Reform Movement, was organized by Isaac Mayer Wise in 1889.

B. The Role of the Congregational Leadership

In some communities the Congregation itself is the governing body, charged with the responsibility of administering all the activities of the institution. In most Congregations, however, the Board (of Trustees) has been delegated responsibility for governance. The Board is enjoined to direct the administrative and financial affairs of the Congregation. By virtue of its election by the membership at large, the Board derives authority from the Congregation as a whole, and it should represent the varied points of view of the membership. Those who are invested with positions of leadership, whether officers or trustees, should understand that their responsibility extends beyond the management of congregational business to include involvement in all phases of the Congregation's programs. Officers and trustees should set an example of commitment to the membership at large by participating actively in worship, study, and other activities offered by the Congregation.

The President of the Congregation is usually the person most directly involved with the Rabbi. The President, as elected lay leader, and the Rabbi, as elected spiritual leader, should meet regularly to consider the welfare of the Congregation. They should keep each other informed of the views of individuals and groups within the Congregation, and (to the extent allowed by the need for confidentiality) of significant events in the lives of congregants. They should acquaint each other with the programs they intend to recommend to the appropriate congregational committees or to the Board. They should encourage each other's efforts to introduce new programs and to stimulate the participation of members in congregational activities. The President and the Rabbi should share their knowledge of the special interests and abilities possessed by individual congregants, and they should confer when appointments to congregational committees are to be made.

Discussions between the Rabbi and President on congregational business or on personal matters should be carried on in complete candor, and, when appropriate, in confidence. Each should respect the other's knowledge and experience.

C. The Partnership of the Congregational Leadership and the Rabbi

A Congregation is best served when its lay and rabbinic leadership consider themselves partners in carrying on the sacred functions of the Synagogue. Certainly the lay leadership and the Rabbi should interact on all levels of congregational activity. The Officers, Board, congregational committees, and the Rabbi should work closely together: the lay leadership always calling upon the Rabbi for expert advice, based upon scholarship and experience; the Rabbi respecting the judgment, sensitivity, and commitment of the leadership.

D. The Rabbi and the Board of Trustees

The Rabbi should be an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees and of its Executive or Advisory Committee, with full privileges of discussion. In recognition of the fact that there may be religious, ethical, and/or programmatic implications in fiscal or administrative policy decisions, the Rabbi should be free to express opinions on these matters, and the Rabbi's viewpoint should be accorded a regard befitting the position of spiritual leader.

Previous    Next