Community Rabbi @ the Den
What We Seek in Our Community Rabbi
The Den Collective is seeking a thoughtful, collaborative, and entrepreneurial rabbi to join our team as Community Rabbi. We’re looking for a connector, builder, and creative partner who finds holiness in authentic relationships and is excited to help shape a growing, innovative, and intentional Jewish community in partnership with adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s across the greater DC area. This rabbi thrives in one-to-one conversations that spark trust and transformation and brings that same depth of presence to larger gatherings that inspire connection and belonging. The Community Rabbi reports to and works closely with our Executive Director, joining a supportive and flexible workplace culture that values creativity, collaboration, and a meaningful work-life balance.
This position requires the community rabbi to live in Washington DC or Northern Virginia (NoVA).
Responsibilities
Vision + Strategy
Partner with the Executive Director and staff to shape the Den’s offerings and initiatives, furthering the Den’s unique approach to ground-up, intentional community building by exploring new approaches and co-creating initiatives in partnership with community members that respond to their yearnings.
Support the creation of intimate spaces where members feel seen, heard, and valued, fostering transformational spaces for deep Jewish learning, meaningful self-exploration, and a sense of belonging.
Relational Leadership + Pastoral Presence
Provide 1:1 pastoral care and rabbinic guidance for members navigating personal, spiritual, or transitional life moments.
Officiate life cycle events, including weddings, baby namings, conversions, and end-of-life rituals, serving as a visible, approachable presence that fosters trust and connection.
Mentor emerging Den leaders, supporting their spiritual, educational, and leadership development.
Education + Ritual
Teach an average of two times per week, designing educational experiences—including one-off classes, series, and learning circle cohorts—that engage diverse learners, drawing on existing Den curricula and creating new offerings in response to community interests and needs.
Collaborate on designing dynamic Shabbat and holiday ritual gatherings; partner with the Executive Director and Den Music Team to create seasonal experiences that integrate music, ritual, and reflection.
Foster experiential learning, creativity, and pluralistic approaches across all teaching and ritual offerings.
Community Building
Build relationships with a diverse network of members in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, fostering meaningful connections as they engage with peers and community opportunities.
Regularly collaborate with the Den staff team and community members to continue to develop our dynamic offerings and community-building efforts.
Host classes, Shabbat, and holiday gatherings that cultivate belonging, connection, and shared learning.
Who You Are: Qualifications + Skills
Skilled: You have real experience in leading community, teaching, and designing educational and ritual experiences. You have completed at least one unit of CPE (or equivalent). We welcome candidates who have had a number of years of relevant post-seminary work experience, as well as new graduates with substantial real-world experience through rabbinic internships or other immersive rabbinic roles.
Self-Aware: You have high emotional intelligence and a gentle, empathetic presence. You integrate pastoral care seamlessly across 1:1 relationships, life cycle events, and educational or ritual settings, while prioritizing balance, joy, and sustainability in your work and life.
Innovative: You combine deep knowledge of Jewish texts and ritual with curiosity and creativity. You design and lead learning experiences, rituals, and cohort programs, experimenting with new formats and approaches.
Entrepreneurial: You are a self-starter who thrives in a dynamic, experimental community model. You navigate ambiguity with initiative, creativity, and focus, building your own workflow and identifying opportunities that strengthen the Den’s impact.
Collaborative: You partner naturally with staff, community members, and lay leaders, mentoring emerging leaders and co-creating programs that amplify others’ voices. You enjoy connecting people to one another and to opportunities, creating meaningful relationships across the community.
Radically Welcoming: You are a warm host and connector, creating spaces where all people feel invited and valued. You bring openness, curiosity, and hospitality to every interaction, whether in learning experiences, rituals, or community gatherings.
What We Offer: Compensation + Benefits
Salary: $100,000–$120,000, commensurate with experience
Additional Honoraria: The Den maintains a collaborative model for life cycle officiation. For ceremonies officiated for Den community members, honoraria are shared 50/50 between the community rabbi and the organization. This structure ensures fair compensation for your time and care, while supporting the sustainability of our communal model.
Health and Wellness: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits; retirement contribution; life insurance, and Long-Term Disability (LTD); generous vacation, sick, and parental leave; flexible scheduling to support a healthy, sustainable work-life balance.
Work–Life Balance: The Den values rest, renewal, and personal spiritual practice. Rabbis are not expected to host or attend Den Shabbat or holiday gatherings every week. We intentionally build space for our clergy to experience their own Shabbat and holiday observances, and to sustain their personal and home lives with balance and joy.
Professional Growth: Incredible opportunities for continued learning, coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
How to Apply
We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit the following materials through this form.
Application Materials:
Resume
Cover Letter
Teaching Samples: Please provide a brief overview of two favorite classes you've taught, including any accompanying source sheets and class outlines.
Professional References: Please provide two professional references. We will request permission to contact them later in the hiring process.
Anticipated Hiring Timeline:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply is Friday, January 16, 2026.
Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by Friday, January 23, 2026.
We anticipate holding three rounds of interviews for this position:
First Round: Virtual interviews
Second Round: Virtual interviews
Finalist Round: In-person interviews with the Den community in the DC area, including meetings with community members, lay leaders, donors, and staff.
The anticipated start date is flexible, though our goal is for the position to begin around July 1, 2026.
About the Den Collective
The Den Collective creates intentional, intimate spaces for Jewish experiences of belonging where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Our community is built by people, for people, and with people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s across the greater DC area who are seeking deep Jewish learning, meaningful self-exploration, and authentic connection. The Den’s culture centers on personalized, one-to-one rabbinic relationships that allow members to feel seen, supported, and empowered on their Jewish journey. We offer intimate settings that go deep, co-created with members to reflect the Jewish community they truly yearn for, fostering spaces for learning, reflection, and belonging. The Den empowers members to step into leadership, building confidence and ownership over their Jewish lives and taking “firsts” as leaders in their homes, neighborhoods, and the broader community.
The Den Collective is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status.