Base Rabbi - Raleigh-Durham (July 1, 2027 start)

Mem Global•Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle, NC

12h

About The Position

Mem Global is hiring an experienced, entrepreneurial rabbi to launch and lead a new Base initiative in the Carolinas, based in the Raleigh-Durham region. The role combines the Base model of home-based, relationship-centered Jewish community with a broader focus on identifying and developing the next generation of Jewish community leaders. The rabbi will host gatherings, teach, provide pastoral support, and build connections with young Jewish adults, local institutions, funders, and community partners. Base is a model in which the home of a pluralistic rabbi and partner serves as a central meeting place for Jewish learning and life. It offers young adults access to a rabbi, pastoral and rabbinic guidance, Shabbat and holiday meals, educational and immersive learning, and programs that support exploration of Jewish identity and strengthen local Jewish communities. The Base Rabbi will develop a welcoming home and community, work within Mem Global's organizational structures and shared goals, and continue their own Jewish learning and professional growth. The position is full-time and requires significant evening and weekend hours, as well as travel several times a year for staff retreats and immersive retreats. The rabbi is expected to make an initial three-year commitment. The role reports to the Director, Base Programming. The position is scheduled to start July 1, 2027.

Requirements

Rabbinical ordination; formal training and graduation from a rabbinic seminary are preferred.
A bachelor's degree in a related field, or four additional years of full-time experience in place of the degree.
At least five years of professional work experience through full-time employment.
Experience working with young adults and a demonstrated ability to relate to people in this developmental life stage.
Currently live in a shared home with a committed partner who is willing to serve as the Base Partner under a separate independent-contractor agreement.
Ability to prioritize and balance multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
Working knowledge of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, and major social media channels.
Eligibility to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
Commitment to pluralistic Judaism and the ability to create space and spiritual practices for Jews of all and no labels.
Experience as an engaging educator, including experiential education, hevruta, source-based text study, and other pedagogies.
Deep Jewish knowledge and commitment to ongoing Jewish learning and development.
Ability to collaborate across differing backgrounds, perspectives, and approaches to Jewish life.
Ability to work within an organizational ecosystem, established structures, policies, and shared goals while building a new initiative.
Strong communication, relationship-building, judgment, emotional intelligence, accountability, and professional maturity.
Ability to reach and engage young Jewish adults beyond traditional communal networks and use community-organizing methods to build relationships and develop leaders.
Ability to manage significant evening and weekend work and travel for staff and immersive retreats.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Slack and Salesforce.
Openness to learning new software and technologies.
Formal rabbinic seminary training and graduation.

Responsibilities

Build local Base community by reaching 450–650 or more Jewish young adults annually through immersive experiences across hospitality around the Jewish calendar, Jewish learning, service, and pastoral care.
Develop one-on-one relationships with at least 180 unique individuals over the course of each year.
Provide approximately 18 pastoral and spiritual counseling conversations per month.
Host young adult Jews in the rabbi's home for an average of four Shabbat or holiday programs or meals per month.
Create and lead dynamic learning opportunities, including an average of six classes or workshops per month.
Facilitate one community service project per month.
Build repeated, substantive personal relationships that encourage at least 40% of participants to return regularly.
Facilitate one immersive Shabbaton retreat annually and lead Jewish learning retreats and other immersive Jewish experiences.
Communicate and collaborate on an ongoing basis with the Base National team and Base Rabbinic Hevre.
Manage Base operations and administration, including budgeting, reporting, data management, marketing, organizational-system communications, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
Serve as a strategic thought partner and local engagement expert to funders and Jewish institutional leaders to help shape the future of Jewish life in the Carolinas.
Identify, empower, and support local young adult leaders, drawing on existing and emerging Mem Global opportunities and programs.
Strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones with Jewish organizations serving young adults, supporting lay leaders and the leadership pipeline in the Carolinas.
Travel to Charleston and Wilmington twice a year for one week per trip to explore local engagement through relationship mapping, leadership recruitment, programs, and establishing a presence.
Serve as a spiritual leader and educator within the Mem Global staff community.
Build and maintain relationships with Mem Global colleagues, local Jewish institutions, and community partners to strengthen collaboration and advance shared goals.
Represent Base and Mem Global locally, including cultivating donor and funding-partner relationships in coordination with the VP of Base and Rabbinic Innovation and the Development team.
Lead an annual grassroots fundraising campaign to generate local support and strengthen Base's long-term sustainability.
Work with the Base National team to review program performance and engagement data, set goals, and assess progress collaboratively.

Benefits

Total compensation package of $184,500, comprising a $100,000 salary, $36,000 annual housing stipend, $20,000 annual contract stipend for the Base Partner, up to $3,500 in 401(k) employer match funds, and up to $25,000 in average employer contributions toward medical benefits, professional development, and more.
Parsonage eligibility.
Three percent annual salary increases in years two and three, contingent on satisfactory performance and meeting all goals.
Potential promotion to Senior Rabbi in year four, with a 6% raise for that year, subject to continued employment and leadership assessment.
Opportunity to launch Embark cohorts for additional compensation of $3,600–$6,600 per cohort, contingent on recruiting at least six couples per cohort.
Health, vision, dental, and mental health benefits.
15 days of paid time off annually, increasing with continued employment, plus office closures and floating holidays for Jewish and US holidays.
Additional benefits for eligible former Hillel and BBYO full-time employees through the Talent Alliance.
Five annual Personal WellBeing days.
Compensatory days for work on Jewish holidays and time spent serving as an educator on Mem Global retreats.
Parental leave of up to twelve weeks, based on length of tenure.
401(k) matching of up to 3.5%, with immediate eligibility and a one-year vest.
Flexible Spending Account options.
$750 annually for professional development.
$1,800 annually for rabbinic development, coaching, and Jewish enrichment.
Quarterly paid day of service.
One-on-one Jewish learning through the Jewish Learning Collaborative.
Cell phone reimbursement of up to $50 per month.
Dedicated supervisor and collaborative teammates.