Chaplain

Position Summary:

The Interfaith Chaplain/Rabbi of Orchard Cove is one of the primary leaders of creating a welcoming and affirming community to all who live at Orchard Cove, inclusive of many backgrounds and preferences. Orchard Cove looks to its Chaplain for leadership across an array of programming and situations. The Chaplain takes part in transforming the experience of aging by providing pastoral care to all residents through their celebrations, grief, and hardships.  This is accomplished through cultivating vibrant and compelling options for educational, spiritual, cultural, and religious expression guided by what matters most to all residents.  This role leads weekly Friday night services, the annual High Holy Day services, and all other Jewish holiday services, shaped by the preferences of those who participate.

Core Competencies:

• Ability to initiate, establish, and deepen pastoral relationships with diverse individuals.

• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills.

• Coordination, administration, and planning of complex programs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Deeply passionate about transforming the aging journey.

• High level of individual initiative and creativity, while thriving working across interdisciplinary teams .

• Accuracy and attention to detail.

• Experience working with diverse populations

• Ability to lead Jewish ritual and life cycle events, including prayer services in Hebrew.

• Excellent teaching skills, including the ability to teach primary Jewish texts.

• Self-starter. Ability to adapt to new and changing circumstances.

Position Responsibilities:

• Serve as the interfaith chaplain with a focus on the needs of residents and their families as they face life transitions, celebrations, grief, and hardships.

• Serve as support for staff in their daily celebrations and hardships.

•  Serve the community through “milieu chaplaincy,” having a positive presence throughout the community at key events and in the day to day. 

• Create and lead educational and spiritual programming that supports the spiritual life and needs of a diverse community.

• Create community practices and programs to mark joyous occasions and key celebrations throughout the year.

• Lead the annual memorial service, and find ways to support residents, families, and staff through daily challenges and loss.

• Foster conversations and gatherings which continue to create a community which is welcoming and inclusive to all individuals with a range of backgrounds and preferences.

• Lead weekly Friday night services.

• Lead the High Holy Day services, and other Jewish holiday services and programs.

• Complete other projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Chaplaincy training and experience required

• Experience leading (and with knowledge of) Jewish prayer services and life cycle ceremonies. Rabbinic ordination strongly preferred.

• Passion for transforming the experience of aging, and helping older adults live their best lives possible

• Previous knowledge and experience working with elders and their families

• Ability to work independently and as part of several interdisciplinary teams

• Flexibility to meet assigned work, and take on new challenges as they arise

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Ability to move around the office area

• Ability to occasionally move items up to 20 pounds

• The individual spends over 95% of his/her time in an air-conditioned environment with varying exposure to noise.  There is protection from weather conditions