The Jewish Chaplain is a member of the chaplaincy staff and part of the Diversity and Inclusion team within the Division of Student Life. This position holds the primary responsibility for guiding Jewish life on campus, and building community around Jewish religious and cultural life for the Hamilton community. This position will also focus on creating social justice initiatives and achieving the general goals of the chaplaincy, which include encouragement of  interreligious dialogue, creating a culture of emotional wellness and mindfulness, and religious and educational programming with All Beliefs Council student organizations. Identity formation and individual counseling for all student members of the campus community is also a priority for this position.

This is a non-benefited, temporary 1-year position. The anticipated work schedule is 25 hours per week for 35 weeks of the academic year, beginning August 16, 2022 – June 11, 2023.

Core Responsibilities

Student Leadership Development

The Jewish Chaplain will work with student leadership for budgeting and implementation of programs of Hamilton Hillel — religious, spiritual, cultural, educational, community service oriented, and social. This position will provide guidance and support for the work and the direction of student programming, while identifying and encouraging new students who might move into leadership positions.

Administrative Leadership for Jewish Community

Within the Hamilton community, advocate for the Jewish community's point of view on matters such as honoring important Jewish observances, kosher food options (including managing a kosher kitchen), recruiting Jewish students and employees. Call Jewish community together to respond to internal or external events which affect the Jewish community. Recruit and encourage prospective Jewish students and parents. Maintain communication with the larger community through newsletters, email, and web pages. Also provide connection to other campus Jewish constituencies, Hillel & Chabad student organizations, and other Jewish communities beyond Hamilton College, including Temple Emanu-El in Utica, NY.

Interfaith Community Building

Work with other chaplains to broaden and create a vibrant interfaith community which combines spirituality with cultural identities, and enables structured dialogues and other events to further understanding and trust across deeply held lines of difference. Also engage students who do not identify with a religious tradition, but for whom exploring meaning and purpose in a humanist worldview is important.

Chaplaincy Duties

Meet weekly with other chaplains, and when appropriate, with the Diversity & Inclusion team and the Division of Student Affairs staff. Participate in the All Beliefs Council, Interreligious Roundtable, and other chaplaincy initiatives to bring a Jewish perspective to those who may be able to learn more about another tradition. Offer conversational opportunities to all students/ staff who may be seeking to develop a spiritual dimension in their lives. Be a presence on campus, especially at certain key events, both of interest to the Jewish community and also general college events including convocation, fall-coming, family weekend, student open houses, baccalaureate, and commencement.

Program Oversight

This position holds primary responsibility for leadership of campus Jewish community, including ensuring, along with student leadership, that regular observance of Shabbat dinners, and Jewish holidays and Passover are appropriately celebrated, providing ceremonial leadership where required.