Temple Etz Chaim Rabbinic Transition Survey

As we noted in our recent congregation letter sent on June 26, the first phase of our multi-phase effort will be a process of self-reflection. Members are invited to fill out and submit this survey below that will illuminate both the strengths and opportunities that our temple offers. Your input is ESSENTIAL as it will form the basis for evaluating each rabbinic candidate. This survey will hopefully take about 15 minutes to complete and should be submitted by July 14th. If you would like assistance filling out the online survey, please email rabbinic-transition@temple-etzchaim.org or call the Temple Office +1 (508) 528-5337.

The survey below, and specifically the first question, is organized to address the three major aspects of temple life – worship, study, and community – and we added a fourth, leadership, to cover the management and organizational responsibilities of the rabbi. We encourage each member to share their ideas, submit this survey by July 14th and join this sacred journey of rabbinic transition.

Question Title

* 1. What do you think are the most important qualities of a rabbi? Under each category below, please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Please indicate which TWO Rabbinic roles are most important to you:

Collaborator with TEC staff, volunteer leadership, teachers, choir

Community Leader

Connection to Israel

Counselor

Educator/Scholar

Organizational Leader

Social Action/Social Justice Advocate

Worship/Service leader

Question Title

* 3. To me, Temple Etz-Chaim is:
(check all that apply)

A place to spend Shabbat and gather for holiday celebrations

A place for adults to learn about Judaism

A place for youth to learn about Judaism

A place to socialize

A place for lifecycle events

A place that enables social action / tikkun olam

A place to explore / engage in spirituality

A place that practices the tenets of Reform Judaism

Question Title

* 4. What are the most important strengths our next rabbi needs to know about our congregation? Temple Etz Chaim: _____________ (check all that apply)

is a respected congregation in the Reform Movement, has a proud 34-year history

provides rich programming including Adult Education and opportunities for social connection

offers sacred music, including TEC’s choir for services throughout the year and especially during High Holy Days

is an inclusive congregation that welcomes all who are interested in a connection to Jewish life.

has a rabbi who officiates at life cycle events including interfaith and LGBTQ+ weddings

depends on the generosity of our members to support our programming and budget, and the rabbi, the board, and lay leaders fundraise together in these efforts

is a spiritually diverse community

is experiencing changing demographics: we are an aging congregation but in a neighborhood with unaffiliated Jews whom we seek to bring in to our congregation

is committed to Social Justice and Social Action

values learning and great scholarship

is an active center of Jewish learning for our children

Question Title

* 5. Referring to items in Question #4 (and repeated below), please indicate the TWO most important strengths our next rabbi needs to know about our congregation.

is a respected congregation in the Reform Movement, has a proud 34-year history

provides rich programming including Adult Education and opportunities for social connection

offers sacred music, including TEC’s choir for services throughout the year and especially during High Holy Days

is an inclusive congregation that welcomes all who are interested in a connection to Jewish life

has a rabbi who officiates at life cycle events including interfaith and LGBTQ+ weddings

depends on the generosity of our members to support our programming and budget, and the rabbi, the board and lay leaders fundraise together in these efforts

is a spiritually diverse community

is experiencing changing demographics; we are an aging congregation but in a neighborhood with unaffiliated Jews whom we seek to bring into our congregation

is committed to social justice and social action

values learning and great scholarship

is an active center of Jewish learning for our children

Question Title

* 6. What are the most important challenges confronting Temple Etz-Chaim in the next 5 years? (Check all that apply)

Attracting new members in all age demographics

Transition of next rabbi

Religious School leadership

Decreasing enrollment in Religious School

Involvement in social action and social justice efforts

Maintenance of aging facility

Development of next generation of lay leaders

Creating opportunities for the many ways to be Jewish

Building a new facility that houses all our needs

Question Title

* 7. Referring to the items in Question #6 (and repeated below), please indicate the TWO most important challenges confronting Temple Etz Chaim in the next five years.

Attracting new members in all age demographics

Transition of next rabbi

Religious School leadership

Decreasing enrollment in Religious School

Involvement in social action and social justice efforts

Maintenance of aging facility

Development of next generation of lay leaders

Creating opportunities for the many ways to be Jewish

Building a new facility that houses all our needs

Question Title

* 8. Please check all that apply. I am...
(Check all that apply)

Male

Female

Non binary

LGBTQ+

Married

Single

Widowed

Divorced

In a partnered relationship

Parent with young child/ren (pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah)

Parent with current Bar/Bat Mitzvah student(s)

Parent with young adult/s (post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah)

Empty nester

Interfaith family

Prefer not to say

Question Title

* 9. What is your age?

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

Prefer not to say

Question Title

* 10. Are you active on any Temple Etz-Chaim committees/activities? (Check all that apply)

Adult Education

Board of Directors

Brit K'hillah

Brotherhood

Building & Grounds

Development/Fundraising

Early Childhood

Education Committee

Finance Committee

Gala

Kef (Fun)

Leadership Development & Nominating Committee

Membership

New Building

Publicity

Rabbinic Transition Committee

Religious Activities (RAC)

Religious School teacher

Security

Service of the Heart

Sisterhood

Social Justice

Prefer not to say

Temple Etz Chaim Rabbinic Transition Survey

Question Title

* 1. What do you think are the most important qualities of a rabbi? Under each category below, please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree.

Question Title

* 2. Please indicate which TWO Rabbinic roles are most important to you:

Question Title

* 3. To me, Temple Etz-Chaim is:
(check all that apply)

Question Title

* 4. What are the most important strengths our next rabbi needs to know about our congregation? Temple Etz Chaim: _____________ (check all that apply)

Question Title

* 5. Referring to items in Question #4 (and repeated below), please indicate the TWO most important strengths our next rabbi needs to know about our congregation.

Question Title

* 6. What are the most important challenges confronting Temple Etz-Chaim in the next 5 years? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 7. Referring to the items in Question #6 (and repeated below), please indicate the TWO most important challenges confronting Temple Etz Chaim in the next five years.

Question Title

* 8. Please check all that apply. I am...
(Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 9. What is your age?

Question Title

* 10. Are you active on any Temple Etz-Chaim committees/activities? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 11. What is your name? (optional)

Question Title

* 12. What else would you like us to know as we begin our search?

	Very Important	Important	Somewhat Important	Not Important
Worship Delivers inspirational, thought-provoking sermons rooted in Torah and Jewish values with a strong bimah presence	Worship Delivers inspirational, thought-provoking sermons rooted in Torah and Jewish values with a strong bimah presence Very Important	Worship Delivers inspirational, thought-provoking sermons rooted in Torah and Jewish values with a strong bimah presence Important	Worship Delivers inspirational, thought-provoking sermons rooted in Torah and Jewish values with a strong bimah presence Somewhat Important	Worship Delivers inspirational, thought-provoking sermons rooted in Torah and Jewish values with a strong bimah presence Not Important
Creates innovative, diverse worship opportunities	Creates innovative, diverse worship opportunities Very Important	Creates innovative, diverse worship opportunities Important	Creates innovative, diverse worship opportunities Somewhat Important	Creates innovative, diverse worship opportunities Not Important
Addresses contemporary social and cultural issues and connects these to our Jewish faith	Addresses contemporary social and cultural issues and connects these to our Jewish faith Very Important	Addresses contemporary social and cultural issues and connects these to our Jewish faith Important	Addresses contemporary social and cultural issues and connects these to our Jewish faith Somewhat Important	Addresses contemporary social and cultural issues and connects these to our Jewish faith Not Important
Encourages music of varied genres	Encourages music of varied genres Very Important	Encourages music of varied genres Important	Encourages music of varied genres Somewhat Important	Encourages music of varied genres Not Important
Study Relates across all ages, adjusting presentation and material to the age and background of the audience	Study Relates across all ages, adjusting presentation and material to the age and background of the audience Very Important	Study Relates across all ages, adjusting presentation and material to the age and background of the audience Important	Study Relates across all ages, adjusting presentation and material to the age and background of the audience Somewhat Important	Study Relates across all ages, adjusting presentation and material to the age and background of the audience Not Important
Invites speakers on wide-ranging relevant topics	Invites speakers on wide-ranging relevant topics Very Important	Invites speakers on wide-ranging relevant topics Important	Invites speakers on wide-ranging relevant topics Somewhat Important	Invites speakers on wide-ranging relevant topics Not Important
Directs Religious School staff and partners with the Education Committee to create and implement a diverse, engaging curriculum focusing on Jewish values, customs, traditions, a love of learning, and ways to live and act as a Jew	Directs Religious School staff and partners with the Education Committee to create and implement a diverse, engaging curriculum focusing on Jewish values, customs, traditions, a love of learning, and ways to live and act as a Jew Very Important	Directs Religious School staff and partners with the Education Committee to create and implement a diverse, engaging curriculum focusing on Jewish values, customs, traditions, a love of learning, and ways to live and act as a Jew Important	Directs Religious School staff and partners with the Education Committee to create and implement a diverse, engaging curriculum focusing on Jewish values, customs, traditions, a love of learning, and ways to live and act as a Jew Somewhat Important	Directs Religious School staff and partners with the Education Committee to create and implement a diverse, engaging curriculum focusing on Jewish values, customs, traditions, a love of learning, and ways to live and act as a Jew Not Important
Amalgamates varied approaches to meet the wide-ranging needs of the students and their families	Amalgamates varied approaches to meet the wide-ranging needs of the students and their families Very Important	Amalgamates varied approaches to meet the wide-ranging needs of the students and their families Important	Amalgamates varied approaches to meet the wide-ranging needs of the students and their families Somewhat Important	Amalgamates varied approaches to meet the wide-ranging needs of the students and their families Not Important
Creates opportunities for students to engage with each other, connecting in small group learning and large group projects	Creates opportunities for students to engage with each other, connecting in small group learning and large group projects Very Important	Creates opportunities for students to engage with each other, connecting in small group learning and large group projects Important	Creates opportunities for students to engage with each other, connecting in small group learning and large group projects Somewhat Important	Creates opportunities for students to engage with each other, connecting in small group learning and large group projects Not Important
Exhibits deep, scholarly knowledge of Torah, Jewish life, Israel, etc.	Exhibits deep, scholarly knowledge of Torah, Jewish life, Israel, etc. Very Important	Exhibits deep, scholarly knowledge of Torah, Jewish life, Israel, etc. Important	Exhibits deep, scholarly knowledge of Torah, Jewish life, Israel, etc. Somewhat Important	Exhibits deep, scholarly knowledge of Torah, Jewish life, Israel, etc. Not Important
Sets an example of a life lived according to the ethical and moral teachings of Torah	Sets an example of a life lived according to the ethical and moral teachings of Torah Very Important	Sets an example of a life lived according to the ethical and moral teachings of Torah Important	Sets an example of a life lived according to the ethical and moral teachings of Torah Somewhat Important	Sets an example of a life lived according to the ethical and moral teachings of Torah Not Important
Leads discussions on complex realities facing Israel based on historical and current perspectives	Leads discussions on complex realities facing Israel based on historical and current perspectives Very Important	Leads discussions on complex realities facing Israel based on historical and current perspectives Important	Leads discussions on complex realities facing Israel based on historical and current perspectives Somewhat Important	Leads discussions on complex realities facing Israel based on historical and current perspectives Not Important
Open to discussion with those who have divergent views about Israel	Open to discussion with those who have divergent views about Israel Very Important	Open to discussion with those who have divergent views about Israel Important	Open to discussion with those who have divergent views about Israel Somewhat Important	Open to discussion with those who have divergent views about Israel Not Important
Creates and leads congregational travel opportunities related to Judaism for learning and connecting with each other	Creates and leads congregational travel opportunities related to Judaism for learning and connecting with each other Very Important	Creates and leads congregational travel opportunities related to Judaism for learning and connecting with each other Important	Creates and leads congregational travel opportunities related to Judaism for learning and connecting with each other Somewhat Important	Creates and leads congregational travel opportunities related to Judaism for learning and connecting with each other Not Important
Community Welcomes people of all ages, races, gender, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status	Community Welcomes people of all ages, races, gender, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status Very Important	Community Welcomes people of all ages, races, gender, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status Important	Community Welcomes people of all ages, races, gender, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status Somewhat Important	Community Welcomes people of all ages, races, gender, ethnic backgrounds, faiths, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status Not Important
Engages in TEC-wide and relevant local community events	Engages in TEC-wide and relevant local community events Very Important	Engages in TEC-wide and relevant local community events Important	Engages in TEC-wide and relevant local community events Somewhat Important	Engages in TEC-wide and relevant local community events Not Important
Has experience providing confidential counseling to families and individuals in crisis/need	Has experience providing confidential counseling to families and individuals in crisis/need Very Important	Has experience providing confidential counseling to families and individuals in crisis/need Important	Has experience providing confidential counseling to families and individuals in crisis/need Somewhat Important	Has experience providing confidential counseling to families and individuals in crisis/need Not Important
Connects to those in need through visits and phone calls	Connects to those in need through visits and phone calls Very Important	Connects to those in need through visits and phone calls Important	Connects to those in need through visits and phone calls Somewhat Important	Connects to those in need through visits and phone calls Not Important
Committed to engaging all ages in social justice advocacy efforts, speaking out and leading relevant discussions	Committed to engaging all ages in social justice advocacy efforts, speaking out and leading relevant discussions Very Important	Committed to engaging all ages in social justice advocacy efforts, speaking out and leading relevant discussions Important	Committed to engaging all ages in social justice advocacy efforts, speaking out and leading relevant discussions Somewhat Important	Committed to engaging all ages in social justice advocacy efforts, speaking out and leading relevant discussions Not Important
Creates partnerships with community groups in pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world)	Creates partnerships with community groups in pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world) Very Important	Creates partnerships with community groups in pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world) Important	Creates partnerships with community groups in pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world) Somewhat Important	Creates partnerships with community groups in pursuit of tikkun olam (repairing the world) Not Important
Networks with both Jewish and other faith-based organizational leaders in the greater Boston community and beyond	Networks with both Jewish and other faith-based organizational leaders in the greater Boston community and beyond Very Important	Networks with both Jewish and other faith-based organizational leaders in the greater Boston community and beyond Important	Networks with both Jewish and other faith-based organizational leaders in the greater Boston community and beyond Somewhat Important	Networks with both Jewish and other faith-based organizational leaders in the greater Boston community and beyond Not Important
Encourages congregants to explore the resources of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and other affiliated Reform synagogues as a pathway to discover creative ideas, innovative programming and new initiatives	Encourages congregants to explore the resources of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and other affiliated Reform synagogues as a pathway to discover creative ideas, innovative programming and new initiatives Very Important	Encourages congregants to explore the resources of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and other affiliated Reform synagogues as a pathway to discover creative ideas, innovative programming and new initiatives Important	Encourages congregants to explore the resources of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and other affiliated Reform synagogues as a pathway to discover creative ideas, innovative programming and new initiatives Somewhat Important	Encourages congregants to explore the resources of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and other affiliated Reform synagogues as a pathway to discover creative ideas, innovative programming and new initiatives Not Important
Leadership Willing to explore changes to ensure congregation’s future	Leadership Willing to explore changes to ensure congregation’s future Very Important	Leadership Willing to explore changes to ensure congregation’s future Important	Leadership Willing to explore changes to ensure congregation’s future Somewhat Important	Leadership Willing to explore changes to ensure congregation’s future Not Important
Identifies creative strategies to encourage people to consider temple affiliation	Identifies creative strategies to encourage people to consider temple affiliation Very Important	Identifies creative strategies to encourage people to consider temple affiliation Important	Identifies creative strategies to encourage people to consider temple affiliation Somewhat Important	Identifies creative strategies to encourage people to consider temple affiliation Not Important
Understands the challenges facing congregations in the post-COVID world and the diverse ways in which the temple engages its congregants	Understands the challenges facing congregations in the post-COVID world and the diverse ways in which the temple engages its congregants Very Important	Understands the challenges facing congregations in the post-COVID world and the diverse ways in which the temple engages its congregants Important	Understands the challenges facing congregations in the post-COVID world and the diverse ways in which the temple engages its congregants Somewhat Important	Understands the challenges facing congregations in the post-COVID world and the diverse ways in which the temple engages its congregants Not Important
Collaborates with lay and professional leadership	Collaborates with lay and professional leadership Very Important	Collaborates with lay and professional leadership Important	Collaborates with lay and professional leadership Somewhat Important	Collaborates with lay and professional leadership Not Important
Manages multiple responsibilities and tasks proactively	Manages multiple responsibilities and tasks proactively Very Important	Manages multiple responsibilities and tasks proactively Important	Manages multiple responsibilities and tasks proactively Somewhat Important	Manages multiple responsibilities and tasks proactively Not Important
Is approachable and has an easy rapport with congregants of all ages	Is approachable and has an easy rapport with congregants of all ages Very Important	Is approachable and has an easy rapport with congregants of all ages Important	Is approachable and has an easy rapport with congregants of all ages Somewhat Important	Is approachable and has an easy rapport with congregants of all ages Not Important
Understands the importance of fundraising at all giving levels and has demonstrated knowledge, skills, and a comfort level to approach those who can support the congregation and thus its future	Understands the importance of fundraising at all giving levels and has demonstrated knowledge, skills, and a comfort level to approach those who can support the congregation and thus its future Very Important	Understands the importance of fundraising at all giving levels and has demonstrated knowledge, skills, and a comfort level to approach those who can support the congregation and thus its future Important	Understands the importance of fundraising at all giving levels and has demonstrated knowledge, skills, and a comfort level to approach those who can support the congregation and thus its future Somewhat Important	Understands the importance of fundraising at all giving levels and has demonstrated knowledge, skills, and a comfort level to approach those who can support the congregation and thus its future Not Important

Temple Etz Chaim Rabbinic Transition Survey

Question Title

* 1. What do you think are the most important qualities of a rabbi? Under each category below, please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree.

Question Title

* 2. Please indicate which TWO Rabbinic roles are most important to you:

Question Title

* 3. To me, Temple Etz-Chaim is: (check all that apply)

Question Title

* 4. What are the most important strengths our next rabbi needs to know about our congregation? Temple Etz Chaim: _____________ (check all that apply)

Question Title

* 5. Referring to items in Question #4 (and repeated below), please indicate the TWO most important strengths our next rabbi needs to know about our congregation.

Question Title

* 6. What are the most important challenges confronting Temple Etz-Chaim in the next 5 years? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 7. Referring to the items in Question #6 (and repeated below), please indicate the TWO most important challenges confronting Temple Etz Chaim in the next five years.

Question Title

* 8. Please check all that apply. I am... (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 9. What is your age?

Question Title

* 10. Are you active on any Temple Etz-Chaim committees/activities? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 11. What is your name? (optional)

Question Title

* 12. What else would you like us to know as we begin our search?

* 3. To me, Temple Etz-Chaim is:
(check all that apply)

* 8. Please check all that apply. I am...
(Check all that apply)