Rabbinic Search Updates

August 10, 2026

Below are Frequently Asked Questions intended to provide information about the search process, including what you can expect in the coming months, opportunities for members to share their thoughts and perspectives, and how we will keep you updated as our search progresses.

Additional information will be provided in regular email updates and in the Weekly. Any questions may be sent to the Search Committee at SeniorRabbiSearch@tstnyc.org.

Rabbinic Search Committee

We are deeply grateful to the members of our Search Committee for the time, thoughtfulness, and care they will bring to this process.

Brooke Hochman
Michelle Ingber
Michael Laufer
Rachel Minton
Howard Mittman
Sumie Okazaki (co-chair)
Neal Rosenberg
Melissa Saperstein
Jason Schoenberg
Jonah Shapiro 
Michele Silverstein (President)
Alana Wodnicki
Bob Zorowitz (co-chair)

Frequently Asked Rabbinic Search Questions and Answers

1. What is the Search process?

Rabbinic searches are different from the executive searches that you may be familiar with from your professional life. As a Reform congregation, our search is guided by the rules and regulations established by the Joint Rabbinic Placement Commission, a partnership between the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), and the Hebrew Union College –Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC). The CCAR is the rabbinic association of the Reform Movement. As a member of the URJ, we are required to make our selection only from among those candidates who apply through the Placement Commission and comply with its rules and procedures.  

The Search Committee will work to complete a detailed application that, when finished, will be sent to the Reform Placement Commission to be viewed by prospective candidates on their confidential Placement website. After the High Holy Days, the Search Committee will receive resumes and select those candidates with whom it wishes to conduct an initial Zoom interview. Following this preliminary round of interviews, a smaller group of candidates will be invited to Shaaray Tefila for in person interviews and then observed in their own pulpits.

The interview process typically begins in the Fall and continues for several months. In time, the Search Committee will make its recommendations to the Board of Trustees, and it is the Board’s privilege and responsibility to select our next Senior Rabbi and present that candidate for a congregational vote.  

2. What type of input will members have in the search process?

We are committed to providing opportunities for our members to have input in the search process. In order to facilitate this, we have scheduled several dates for community conversations in September and October. Additionally, a congregation-wide survey will be sent out soon. The themes that emerge from these conversations and the survey will inform the Search Committee’s work as it describes our congregation in the search process, and interviews candidates. 

3. What is the anticipated timeline for this search?

The expected timeline for this search is as follows:

• August/September 2026: Search Committee completes the application and submits it to the  CCAR
• September/October 2026: Search Committee begins to review applications and conduct Zoom interviews of potential candidates. 

From there, it is difficult to predict the exact pace of the process as so much depends on when candidates choose to submit their names and how the Search Committee assesses each candidate’s suitability. Our goal is to have the process concluded in enough time for a congregational vote no later than May or June 2027 so that our new Senior Rabbi can begin on July 1,2027. 

If the Search Committee is unable to identify the right candidate to lead Shaaray Tefila into the future in this initial search cycle, it may recommend that the process be extended. Should this occur, we will engage an Interim Rabbi. 

4. What, if any, is the role of an Interim Rabbi?

An Interim Rabbi provides a congregation with a safe and supportive bridge while it engages in the process of finding a new Senior Rabbi. During the past decade, Interim Rabbis, who have been specially trained for this role, have become an integral part of congregations’ transitions from one rabbi to the next. As Interim Rabbis are not eligible to become the permanent rabbi, they have a unique opportunity to work with congregational leadership in preparing the congregation for its next spiritual leader.

5. Is our Associate Rabbi, Rabbi Rubin, being considered for the position?

The CCAR has a category system which is based on size. Given the size of our membership, we must consider only candidates with at least five (5) years of rabbinic experience to apply. Rabbi Rubin is currently in her fourth year after ordination so she is ineligible.   

6. May I personally recommend a candidate for the position of Senior Rabbi?

We ask that our members adhere to the following Placement Commission rules for engaging with rabbinic candidates:

• If a rabbi you know inquires about the position, you may advise him or her to check the CCAR  posting and apply; 
• If you would like to recommend a rabbi, you may provide the candidate’s name to Sumie Okazaki and Bob Zorowitz who will review that with the Search Committee. The CCAR has procedures in place to explore  whether rabbis who have not formally applied might be interested in being considered. Whether those procedures should be used for any particular individual will be at the discretion of the Search Committee.

7. What type of communication can we expect to receive during the search process?

Throughout the search process, you can expect to receive regular updates. However, in accordance with the Rabbinic Placement Commission rules, the Search Committee is not able to reveal the identity or current location of applicants for the Senior Rabbi position. This confidentiality allows candidates to preserve their current congregational relationships.

8. Where will I be able to find the information about the transition?

We will post regular updates on this page and in our Weekly email. We also have a special email account, SeniorRabbiSearch@tstnyc.org, where you may forward any questions or concerns that you may have.

9. What will be Rabbi Mosbacher’s role after June 30,2027?

In recognition of his years of service to our community, we have extended a lifetime Temple membership to Rabbi Joel and Elyssa Mosbacher.