School Rabbi

Sinai Akiba Academy is a preeminent private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Sinai Akiba Academy is undergirded by our school mission to engage students in the joy and discipline of learning, and nurture a community of ethical, critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility.

Our core values of Kehillah Kedoshah (Sacred Community); Talmud Torah (Academic Excellence); Derech Eretz (Kindness, Empathy, & Respect); Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (Ethical Responsibility); Avodat Halev (Soulful Intention), and Ahavat Yisrael (Love for Israel) serve as a commitment with the students, families and community members that we serve to energize the present, explore the past, and embrace the future.

***

The SAA School Rabbi represents and guides the lev (heart) and neshama (soul) of Sinai Akiba Academy, is a member of the Sinai Akiba Senior Administrative Team, works very closely with the Director of Jewish Education, and is supervised directly by the Head of School. Together with the DJE, Head of School and other senior leadership, the School Rabbi stewards the cultivation, engagement in and sustenance of the love and practice of Judaism with our students and families, embracing and guiding every child's Jewish journey both at Sinai Akiba Academy and in the greater Jewish community as a whole.

Beyond setting and championing the Jewish tone for SAA, the School Rabbi essential functions include:

- Serve as a vital and joyful presence within SAA, the Douglas Family Early Childhood Center, as well as consults with the Douglas Family Early Childhood Center Administrative Leadership
- Plan and lead tefilot for grades K-8
- Work closely with all school administrators and educators, including the Director of Jewish Education, to cultivate a rich Jewish life inside the School, support, and enhance the Judaic Studies curriculum
- In partnership with Division Heads, lead ECC-8th grade Tikkun Olam and Jewish experiential learning
- Partner with the Director of Jewish Education to assess vertical and horizontal alignment of Jewish Life Curriculum (rituals, holidays prayers)
- Partner with Temple clergy to plan and execute once-a-month Community Shabbat services (Fall) and plan Yedidim Shabbat services (Spring)
- Teach Torah trope in 4th and 5th grade classes
- Help to plan and enhance the 8th grade culminating trip to Israel as well as travel to Israel with the 8th grade each Spring
- Support Sinai Akiba Academy’s robust b’nai mitzvah program, partnering with parent volunteers who organize the School’s b’nai mitzvah party calendar, organize weekly school b’nai mitzvah services, and teaching 6th grade b’nai mitzvah classes (once a week for one semester).
- Coordinate and engage with all the SAA families (ECC-8th Grade) through development and facilitation of educational, social, cultural, and religious community events and learning opportunities to enhance SAA’s kehillah and community culture
- Meet regularly with Temple clergy to connect messaging, traditions, and engage in mentorship and partnership, as well as organize and implement Temple/School Shabbat services and Jewish holiday programming
- Teach a Judaic Studies/Advisory/Elective (as necessary)
- Provide PD to SAA educators as necessary regarding Jewish Life
- Engage with all the SAA families (ECC-8th Grade) through development and facilitation of educational, social, cultural, and religious community events and learning opportunities
- Collaborate with the Division Heads and/or School Counselor to address social-emotional needs through a Jewish lens
- Deliver divrei Torah at school assemblies, School Board meetings, Shabbat services and various other school events
- Work with 8th graders on their Senior Divrei Torah
- Serve as a resource and available presence in the ECC-8th Grade Judaic Studies classrooms
- Help to envision, plan and execute the continued growth and development of the SAA Strategic Vision in the Judaic soul of the school
- Embrace and model Sinai Akiba’s mission statement and Core Values
- Perform other duties as assigned by the HOS

**REQUIREMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS**
- Bachelor’s degree; Rabbinical degree, Master’s degree preferred
- Experience within a Jewish Day School, synagogue or Jewish educational program
- An understanding of Jewish identity, holidays, practices, traditions, culture and life cycle events
- Strong teacher of Jewish texts
- Effective communicator and collaborator with students, parents, administration, and Staffulty
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and intrapersonal connection, communication, and motivation skills
- Availability to be physically present when school is in session, and at Temple-wide and special events (including some evening and weekend programs)

**COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS**
- Annual Salary Range: $115,000 - $135,000
- Excellent benefit