Since our last update, the Rabbi Search Committee met twice to review, redraft and reconfirm SOJC’s application to the Rabbinical Assembly’s (RA) questionnaire genuinely captured our congregation’s personality and needs. Our resulting 28-page document went live on the RA’s website on October 23rd – right on schedule! Almost immediately, we began receiving resumes from interested rabbis. On December 27th, the Search Committee met again to discuss the resumes. I can proudly say our Committee members were wonderfully deliberate, fair and comprehensive in their remarks and assessments of the resumes. At the conclusion, we identified six qualified candidates who we invited to be interviewed by telephone. During the period between December 28 and January 12, members of the Search Committee developed and fine-tuned via email a single set of questions to ask all candidates during their telephone interviews. The Search Committee conducted these telephone interviews on January 13, 25, 27 and 31. While all of this positive activity has been occurring, the Search Committee formally requested a “slot” at the RA’s “Senior Interview Week” at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. I’m pleased to tell you SOJC’s request was granted for February 20-21. SOJC President Michele Fischer and Immediate Past President Ed Bromberg will go to interview enthusiastic students who are graduating as rabbis. I’m told it’s like “speed dating with young rabbis!” Once initial interviews have concluded, the most impressive rabbinic candidates will be invited to join SOJC for Shabbat weekends in March. In this way, every SOJC member has an opportunity to hear, see and, hopefully, be touched by their personalities, interactions and wisdom. SOJC has a lot of positive momentum going for it! We view a rabbi search is a sacred endeavor. So, we’re honored, yet humbled, to be working for SOJC’s family. And, in keeping with our commitment to transparency, this updates you as to what we’ve recently done — and where we are — in this exciting journey towards SOJC’s bright future! Stay tuned for further updates.