Nov 25, 2008 -- With Jewish communities emerging throughout the US and across the globe, the need for qualified rabbis and educators has grown. Oftentimes, the search for a suitable rabbi can be a somewhat daunting task. Serving as the community arm of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), Yeshiva University’s (YU) Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) assists congregations, schools, organizations and communities in their search for rabbis. For over a century, RIETS, the Western Hemisphere’s leading center for Torah learning, has trained over 2,700 of the world's most distinguished Orthodox rabbis, scholars, and teachers. “We’ve place hundreds of rabbis over the years,” said Rabbi Ronald Shcwarzberg, director of the Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement at CJF. “With our talented pool of RIETS and RCA (Rabbinical Council of America) rabbis we are able to match communities with candidates who are best prepared to meet their needs.” Rabbi Moshe Davis, a Yeshiva University and RIETS graduate began serving as an assistant rabbi of Houston’s United Orthodox Synagogues in August after working with CJF’s Rabbinic Placement Office. “They demonstrated keen, hands-on knowledge of many of the Jewish communities across America,” said Rabbi Davis of CJF’s involvement.” I really felt that I had people advocating on my behalf.” Rabbi Chaim Strauchler, rabbi of the 700-family member congregation, Shaarei Shomayim in Toronto, credits RIETS and CJF for where he is today. “My experience at RIETS gave me the basic skills that are crucial to my work as a teacher of Torah,” said the former Rhodes Scholar. “The exposure to the personalities of both chaverim [friends] and rabbanim have guided my work as a communal rabbi.” As for the process, “the CJF served as the shadchan [matchmaker] to connect me with Shaarei Shomayim,” said Rabbi Strauchler. “They were involved in every step of the process, providing advice from the interview stage through the contract and beyond. My family and I love our community and our shul.” Another former YU graduate, Rabbi Elchanan Jay Weinbach, approached CJF with a somewhat complex request: “Find me a position that will allow me to do something truly meaningful for the world of Jewish education.” In a short time, CJF approached Rabbi Weinbach about Los Angeles’ Shalhevet School—the only modern Orthodox K-12 school in the city. “Throughout the challenging process, Rabbi Schwarzberg and his staff were there to lend support and advice,” said Rabbi Weinbach, who currently serves as the head of school at Shalhevet. “Thanks to the support from YU and CJF, my wife Yocheved (Stern College ’89) and I are living the Jewish educator’s dream.” Rabbi Zvi Engel recently began serving as rabbi of Congregation Or Torah in Skokie, Illinois. “The Rabbinic Placement Office gave me a high level of confidence in their ability to shepherd me throughout the entire search process,” said Rabbi Engel. “They guided me towards congregations that were appropriate for me and my family.” CJF Rabbinic Programming follows rabbis into the field, encouraging continued professional growth, providing continued guidance and counsel, and supporting the personal development and well being of rabbis and their wives. An array of such programs are provided by the Legacy Heritage Fund Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative (LHREI), including skill building, seminars, conferences, web resources and tools for networking. LHREI is generously supported by Legacy Heritage Fund Limited. “The CJF has remained in constant contact,” said Rabbi Strauchler. “I have benefited from a close connection with Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter (YU’s Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and senior scholar at CJF) who has given so much to young rabbis through the LHREI (Legacy Heritage Fund Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative) Yarchei Kallahs program.” Mr. David Nadler, head of Shaarei Shomayaim’s rabbi search committee, was very pleased with CJF’s efforts throughout the process. “Rabbi Schwarzberg and his staff started by visiting Toronto for a day of meetings with rabbis, community leaders, and the search committee,” said Nadler. “They vetted all the candidates and allowed our shul to have finalists that represented the elite of RIETS. We are very pleased with the results of our search. ” To find out more information about CJF’s Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement please contact jcareerplacement@yu.edu or visit us online at www.yu.edu/cjf.