Come build Jewish life among the oaks, redwoods, rivers, and vineyards of inland Mendocino County, about two and a half hours north of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kol HaEmek is a warm, heart-centered Jewish Renewal congregation in Redwood Valley, a few miles north of Ukiah. We are looking for a part-time rabbi to be our spiritual leader and help our community grow.

A place that feeds the soul
Our valley, ringed by oak-covered hills, lies on each side of the Russian River. Mornings bring mist over meadows and vineyards, and summer evenings are long and golden. In a place like this, Shabbat feels close to the land.

Within a short drive you can:

• walk among ancient redwoods at Montgomery Woods

• stroll among manzanitas and buckeyes at Low Gap Park

• swim, kayak, and camp at Lake Mendocino, Clearlake, and along the Russian and Eel Rivers

• soak in hot springs at Vichy Springs or Orr Hot Springs

• ride the historic Skunk Train through the forest from Willits

• explore Anderson Valley’s apple farms and wineries

• spend a day on the dramatic Mendocino coast, about an hour and a half west

The area also has lively farmers markets; local arts and music; organic farms; a community college; an accredited Buddhist university; and a long tradition of spiritual seekers and back-to-the-landers. The Bay Area is about two-and-a-half hours south.

You won’t be alone
Rabbis Margaret Holub and Paige Lincenberg serve the Mendocino Coast Jewish Community.  Our new rabbi would have respected colleagues nearby to share holidays, learning, and support across the county.

The opportunity: reaching Jews who haven’t found a home yet
We are a close-knit congregation with fewer than 100 members who actively participate in events at our synagogue. Our members include lifelong Jews, Jews by choice, interfaith families, and seekers. Several hundred Jews live in the inland valley, and most are not affiliated with any congregation. Many came here for the peaceful beauty of the land and assumed Jewish community was something they left behind. We would like to attract them back to Jewish life and community.

We are looking for a rabbi who sees this as a calling: someone who will meet people where they are and help us create an even more welcoming, spirited Jewish home for our corner of Northern California. This could happen in our sanctuary, at a farmers’ market, or around a sukkah or a lakeside Tashlich. As our community grows, the rabbi’s role and hours will grow with it.

The role (about 10–15 hours per week to start)

• Lead 2-4 services for Shabbat each month (in person, with some hybrid options possible)

• Lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, possibly other holiday services

• Guide and officiate B’nai mitzvah

• Officiate funerals and support mourners

• Provide pastoral counseling and care

• Lead outreach to unaffiliated and interfaith families in the valley

Who we’re looking for

• A rabbi ordained by ALEPH, or one deeply grounded in Jewish Renewal practice

• Someone who loves music, prayer, and spirit-filled community

• A good listener and caring presence who enjoys working with lay leaders

• A builder with energy for outreach and growth

• Semi-retired and recently ordained rabbis are warmly encouraged to apply

Compensation

• $34,000–40,000 per year, depending on experience

• Travel expenses reimbursed wholly or in part, depending on distance

• B’nai mitzvah and some lifecycle events may carry separate honoraria

• Part of the salary can be designated as a clergy housing allowance

• Hours and pay will increase as membership grows

We would love a rabbi who chooses to make this valley home. If you relocate, we will help you find housing and connect with local work such as chaplaincy, teaching, or spiritual direction. We are also open to a commuting or hybrid arrangement to start.

To apply
Send a letter of interest and résumé to Jeff Horn at kolhaemekrv@gmail.com or call 707-831-8118. Please tell us about your path in Jewish Renewal and what draws you to rural community life. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

www.kolhaemek.org   (707) 468-4536