Diversity and Inclusive Hiring Statement
Congregations and other communal organizations are strongly encouraged to meet with an array of candidates and to be open to the possibility that the best professional for their organization may not conform to their past assumptions of the profile of a religious leader. They should recall the ancient teaching that Torah has (at least) 70 facets and enriches our lives through vessels of all kinds.

Communities of Belonging Trainings

These workshops will help congregations who are engaging in the clergy placement process to better understand how implicit bias unknowingly informs organizational processes. Participants will learn how to prioritize equitable recruitment and hiring processes resulting in a more diverse applicant pool. This training is specifically for members of USCJ clergy placement committees. In addition, please feel free to also attend if you are a hiring manager or on other hiring committees at USCJ congregations.

This event will not be recorded but we will be offering the same workshop three times throughout the search season. We encourage you to attend early so your committee can start using these insights as soon as possible.

Sanctifying the Search
Through our ongoing partnership, the RA and USCJ produced a brief video, Sanctifying the Search, featuring RA rabbis sharing their experiences related to bias based on age, gender, disability, sexual preference, country of origin, birth religion, gender identity, and more. We invite search committees to consider the potential obstacles and biases in your congregation and determine ways to overcome them. We hope you will watch the video together and engage in a discussion as you complete a brief feedback form.