Orthodox Rabbi at Hillel at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illini Hillel)

Orthodox Campus Rabbi

Hillel at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illini Hillel)

Role Overview

Make your mark on Orthodox and observant Jewish students at the University of Illinois by join Illini Hillels staff as the Orthodox Campus Rabbi!

The Orthodox Rabbi serves as a leader of Orthodox life at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). You will be a community builder teacher and Halachic authority for Orthodox and observant Jewish students and community members in Champaign-Urbana. You will providing high-level Torah education and Rabbinic leadership for students from Orthodox backgrounds while simultaneously offering an accessible warm entry point for any observant or Jewishly-curious students at UIUC. As an integral member of the Illini Hillel team you will ensure that the infrastructure of Orthodox lifeincluding our Kosher dining daily prayer services the Eruv and the Mikvah is maintained and utilized to enhance the student experience.

What Youll Do

• Build substantial relationships with at least 120 undergraduate and graduate students (both Orthodox and non-Orthodox) through Rabbinical care chevruta learning teaching and mentorship.
• Recruit for trips and Shabbatons available to Orthodox and non-Orthodox students.
• Lead and promote daily and weekend prayer services at Hillel for the Orthodox minyan.
• Lead and facilitate Jewish holiday services including but limited to the High Holidays Purim Passover Shavuot and Tisha Bav. Host and facilitate holiday meals at the Hillel building JET house (Jewish Education Team) or at a home location.
• Proactively reach out to incoming freshmen and transfer students from Orthodox communities and youth movements (NCSY Bnei Akiva etc.) to recruit and integrate them into the Illini Hillel community.

On a day to day basis you will

• Serve as the cRc representative for Hillels Kosher kitchens train students to be Mashgichim for Hillels kitchens and other Kosher opportunities in town.
• Provide sophisticated high-level learning opportunities tailored specifically for graduates of Orthodox day schools and those returning from a gap year in Israel ensuring their religious growth continues during their university years.
• Serve as the on-campus authority for Halachic questions ranging from daily ritual practice to complex modern dilemmas faced by college students.
• Host students for Shabbat and Holiday meals in a warm welcoming home environment.
• Offer pastoral counseling and religious guidance to students navigating the intersection of secular campus life and Orthodox commitment.
• Monitor maintain and communicate the status of the Champaign-Urbana Eruv with help from students and community members facilitate an annual visit from Rabbi Jachter from the OU to inspect the Eruv.
• Be involved with the Champaign Urbana Mikvah Association in a leadership role whether as a board member or part of the Rabbinical team of the Mikvah.
• Empower students to take leadership roles in Jewish life on campus including internships and board positions at Hillel and beyond.
• Work with staff on Shabbat dinners holidays and other large programs.
• Participate as a full member of The Hillels of Illinois Staff in local regional and national Hillel programs and programs of the Jewish Federation as may be appropriate.

What Youve Accomplished

• A rabbinical ordination (smicha) from an orthodox institution
• Proven ability to connect with Gen-Z students and understand the unique pressures of a high-achieving academic environment like UIUC
• 1-2 years of post-college experience preferred

What Youll Bring to the Job

• Passion for Jews Judaism and Israel and proud to be a Jewish role model
• Strong public speaking organizational communication and interpersonal skills
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Must be willing to work nights Shabbats and weekends

What Youll Receive

• Salary Range of $.
• Time off: 22 days of paid time off 11 sick days 8 paid federal holidays up to 13 paid Jewish holidays and 6 weeks paid parental leave.
• Medical dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with match and a 403(b) plan.
• Additional health and wellness benefits financial benefits professional training tuition reimbursement and much more.
• Great professional development mentoring and skill-building opportunities as part of the global Hillel movement.

About Jewish Life at UIUC

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is home to one of the largest and most active Jewish student populations in the country. Illini Hillel and JET (Jewish Education Team) are the heart of this community providing a state-of-the-art facility for prayer study and socializing. With a dedicated Kosher kitchen a reliable Eruv a Mikvah and a close-knit Orthodox community UIUC is a premier destination for observant students in the Midwest.

Outside of campus life our Jewish professionals enjoy thevibrant social life of the cities of Champaign and Urbanaand the surrounding towns. University staff and Champaigns High Tech hub create a young vibrant community that meets and celebrates life in many ways. The Champaign Urbana Jewish Federation and Sinai Temple are our close partners in building a strong and welcoming Jewish community that serve over 2000 Jewish community members beyond campus life. Additionally Champaign-Urbana mark the perfect halfway point between some of the major cities in the Midwest - Chicago Indianapolis and St. Louis.

About Hillel at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illini Hillel)

Illini Hillel isthe first Hillel in the world. Established in 1923 by Rabbi Benjamin Frankel Illini Hillel strengthens the Jewish identity of 3500 Jewish students at the University of Illinois. With one of the largest fraternity and sorority populations and over 1000 student organizations on campus the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is one of the most soical campuses in the country. That alongside the tier 1 research work on our campus makes our University attractive to Jewish students of all background. At Illini Hillel we embrace the work-hard-play-hard culture of our campus by creating the perfect mix of fun social and deep meaningful Jewish programming and engagement.

Hillel at the University of Illinois is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life learning and Israel.

About Hillel International

In 1923 Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life learning and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.

Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.