The congregation will meet via Zoom on Sunday, April 16, 10-11:30 am for discussion and a vote on rabbi candidate Gabrielle Pescador. Read on for a summary of this year’s search process.
Rabbi Position Posted
AARC posted our half-time rabbi position with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). In a subsequent meeting with the RRC placement director, we learned that once again there were only six RRC graduates and again only one or two interested in pulpit positions. AARC then posted the opening to a broader community: Hebrew College, the Academy for Jewish Religion (in NY), the Academy for Jewish Religion (in CA), ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and the Reform and Conservative movements.
Candidate Interest and Shabbaton
The rabbi search committee received applications from three candidates, and after interviewing all three, scheduled a Shabbaton with Gabrielle Pescador. She is a cantor and soon-to-be ordained rabbi through the ALEPH Ordination Program. Sixty members completed a survey after attending events with Gabrielle during the Shabbaton weekend of March 17-19; 75% found her good or exciting.
Click HERE to watch videos from Gabrielle Pescador’s Shabbaton Weekend.
Search Committee and Board Approval
On the basis of the Shabbaton events, interviews, and your survey feedback, the rabbi search committee voted unanimously to recommend that Gabrielle Pescador be offered a contract to serve as rabbi of our community. The AARC Board voted unanimously in favor of this recommendation.
Congregation Vote
It is now up to the congregation as a whole to vote on the matter. Our bylaws require approval from a majority of member attendees in order for an offer to be made to the candidate.
