Jewish Interfaith Chaplain

The Claremont Colleges Services•Claremont, CA

7h•$9,000 - $9,500

About The Position

ABOUT THE POSITION : Working independently and alongside three other interfaith chaplains, the Jewish Interfaith Chaplain is an integral member of Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL) of The Claremont Colleges. The Jewish Interfaith Chaplain serves the Jewish campus community through outreach, worship opportunities, pastoral counseling, community building, and facilitation of other programs, services, and events. This role will provide outreach to the ethnically and culturally diverse constituency of the Jewish community at The Claremont Colleges. As part of the Chaplaincy team, the Jewish Interfaith Chaplain serves all students and actively collaborates on interfaith programs, supporting all religious beliefs and students seeking spiritual meaning. The Jewish Interfaith Chaplain conducts and participates in outreach activities including orientations, wellbeing programs, and other events for the seven Claremont Colleges. This is a full-time, 10 month position (August 1 – May 31 annually). Priority Deadline : The deadline for first consideration is February 23, 2026.

Requirements

Rabbinic ordination from a recognized seminary
A master’s degree in rabbinic studies, Jewish studies, or related field.
At least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education
Demonstrated progressive experience in leadership and administration.
Developing and coordinating innovative and student-oriented programming.
Teaching and/or preaching on religious and spiritual development and discernment with college-aged individuals.
Experience with diverse expressions of worship and religious practices.
Ability to engage across differences in intra-faith, multi-faith and interfaith work.
Ability to read and understand classical Jewish sources in their original languages.
Understanding of residential, liberal arts undergraduate and graduate institutions.
Commitment to working in collaboratively Jeserving multiple institutions.
Advanced interpersonal skills, demonstrating an approachable personality, empathy, and exceptional listening skills.
Demonstrates maturity, tact, resiliency, and composure and sensitivity to others’ needs in difficult and unexpected situations.
Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with diverse individuals across multiple organizations.
Ability to balance advocacy while maintaining confidentiality.
Advanced public speaking and group facilitation skills.
Proven experience speaking to small and large diverse groups, preferably college-aged individuals.
Knowledge of best practices for campus-based religious and spiritual life programs and services.
Knowledge of and ability to practice the principles of leadership development and collaboration.
Fluent language skills in English, including the ability to write with proper grammar, spelling, and business etiquette.
Ability to be proactive, open-minded, and successful in a collaborative environment.
Ability to determine when to move forward independently and when to seek input or advice.
Ability to contribute effectively to the operations and culture of a large and diverse organizational structure.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a residential, liberal arts undergraduate or graduate institution.
Experience with global perspectives rooted in own international travel, residence, or study outside of the United States.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and facilitation of Shabbat, High Holidays, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and any other observances and rituals, either through leading services or training and supporting students.
Engage students with formal and informal Jewish education, Shabbat Dinners, cultural events, guest speakers, and relevant programs for building Jewish community and educating the campus about Judaism and Jewish culture.
Initiate and maintain outreach and support to the diverse Jewish community at The Claremont Colleges, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader community.
Convene and advise a Jewish student leadership committee for intra-faith cooperation.
Advise and provide guidance to all registered Jewish student clubs and groups of The Claremont Colleges.
Serve as an advocate for Jewish students throughout The Claremont Colleges community.
Provide pastoral counseling for all students whenever needed.
Meet regularly, collaborate, and supervise Jewish religious affiliates, which currently include Hillel and Chabad.
Establish and support connections between students and local and regional Jewish communities.
Address antisemitic incidents and work proactively to nurture a positive campus climate for Jewish students.
Provide support and act as a liaison for students with a preferred religious identity outside the chaplain designations of Jewish, Catholic, Protestant and Muslim (e.g., the Protestant Chaplain also serves Buddhist students).
The Jewish Interfaith Chaplain is assigned student populations based on the chaplain’s expertise and evolving student needs, which may include, but not limited to: Sikhs, Atheists, Spiritual but not religious, 12 step programs for students fighting addition, etc.
Attend weekly staff meetings, participate on TCCS and consortium-wide committees.
Assist with or contribute to the administration of Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL).
Collaborate with the other chaplains in interreligious programs, community services, and social justice outreach.
Collaborate with other chaplains, students, staff, faculty, advisory groups, and others to develop and implement meaningful programs and services from RSL.
Institute new initiatives for programming, services, and communications that integrate RSL with other consortium programs and other aspects of campus life, and that engage all populations of The Claremont Colleges.
Initiate and maintain outreach and support to the diverse student body of The Claremont Colleges.
Assist and support students, faculty, and staff during campus-wide crises.
Support students in response to discrimination and bias incidents.
Proactively seek input from stakeholders regarding the services provided.
Work with the chaplains and other staff to consistently improve the quality and types of services.
Conduct assessment on the impact of programs and resources and complete follow-through to revise and create new plans and programs accordingly.
Develop and routinely report metrics that inform program effectiveness.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with diverse individuals at all levels across the consortium.
Participate in and celebrate interfaith and multi-faith engagement.
Collaborate with the Deans of Students, academic support services, and other student-facing offices of the seven colleges making up the consortium on related programming and events.
Provide engaging training for residence hall staff, student peer mentors, and participate in invited classroom and seminar presentations.
Participate in campus celebrations such as convocations, commencement, and baccalaureate.
Utilize technology as needed (e.g. Microsoft Office, WorkDay, MailChimp, social media, etc)
Perform other related duties as assigned.