Fill and Sign the Rabbi Agreement Form

Rabbi Engagement Agreement This Rabbi Engagement Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this       day of       , 20       , corresponding to the Hebrew date of       , (Date) by and between       , a religious corporation with its (Name of Synagogue) offices at       , hereinafter called the Synagogue and (Street Address, City, County, State, Zip Code) Rabbi       , residing at       , (Name of Rabbi) (Street Address, City, County, State, Zip Code) hereinafter called the Rabbi. Whereas, the Synagogue is a religious corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of       , and is a       religious Synagogue affiliated (Name of State) (e.g., Conservative) with       ; and (e.g., the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) Whereas, the Rabbi is a duly ordained Rabbi and is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly; and Whereas, Rabbi is about to be appointed as the Rabbi of the Synagogue; and Whereas, the Synagogue and the Rabbi desire to set forth the terms and provisions of the engagement of the Rabbi by the Synagogue during the term of this Agreement and their respective rights and obligations following the expiration or termination thereof. Now, therefore, the parties hereto agree as follows: I. Appointment . The Synagogue hereby appoints and engages the Rabbi, and the Rabbi hereby accepts appointment and engagement by the Synagogue as its Rabbi and spiritual leader for the term and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. This appointment and engagement and the terms of this Agreement have been authorized and are in accordance with the Bylaws of the Synagogue as well as all other relevant regulations appertaining thereto. II. Power, Duties, and Conditions. A. Duties of the Rabbi . The Rabbi shall act as the spiritual leader of the Synagogue and its Congregants. In the rendering of halachic 1 decisions, the Rabbi shall be guided by the positions of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly, shall be subject to all Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly and shall serve 1 The word "halakhah" is usually translated as "Jewish Law," although a more literal (and more appropriate) translation might be "the path that one walks." Halakhah comes from three sources: from the Torah, from laws instituted by the rabbis and from long-standing customs. Rabbi Engagement Agreement Page 1 of 7 the religious, educational, spiritual and pastoral needs of the membership of the Synagogue. In addition, the Rabbi shall perform those specific duties more particularly described in Exhibit A, attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein. B. Freedom of the Pulpit . The Rabbi shall, at all times, enjoy the freedom of the pulpit, including the freedom to preach on whatever topic and in whatever manner the Rabbi shall deem appropriate, however, the Rabbi shall at all times be subject to the "Standards" of the Rabbinical Assembly and shall be guided by the positions of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards. C. Outside Activities . 1. The Rabbi's position requires that full time be devoted to the needs of the Synagogue and its members. Nevertheless, the Synagogue shall afford the Rabbi reasonable opportunity to serve the interest of the larger community, both Jewish and civic; provided, however, that such service shall not unduly interfere with the performance of the duties of the Rabbi and the Synagogue and its members. The Synagogue shall also afford the Rabbi reasonable opportunity for study, scholarship and research. 2. Rabbinical Organizations . The Rabbi and the Synagogue acknowledge the importance of the Rabbi’s participation in Rabbinical organizations. Therefore, nothing herein shall prevent the Rabbi from engaging in activities related to       , provided that such (Names of Organizations) activities do not interfere with the rabbinical functions as set forth herein. 3. Honoraria . The Rabbi shall perform all life cycle events and ceremonies for members of the Synagogue without any charge or cost whatsoever, however, any Honoraria for those events received by the Rabbi shall be retained by the Rabbi for personal use. Honoraria for such events received from non-members of the Synagogue who are not immediately related to members of the Synagogue shall be retained by the Rabbi for personal use. 4. Synagogue Action . Subject to the Laws and Statutes of this State, whenever provision is made in this Agreement for any action, decision, determination, notice or approval by the Synagogue, it is understood that such action, decision, determination, notice or approval shall be taken, made or given by action of the Board of Directors or by such officer or officers of the Synagogue as may be designated by the Board of Directors. D. Term. This Agreement shall be in force for a period of three years from the date of its execution. III. Compensation. The Synagogue shall pay Rabbi, and Rabbi shall accept from Synagogue , in full payment for the services of Rabbi under this Agreement, compensation at the rate of $       per year, payable twice a month on the       and       days of Rabbi Engagement Agreement Page 2 of 7 (Number) (Number) each month while this Agreement shall be in force. The Synagogue shall reimburse Rabbi for all necessary expenses incurred by Rabbi while traveling on behalf of the Synagogue. IV. Vacation, Holidays and Personal Days. A. Rabbi shall be entitled to       days of paid vacation each year during the term (Number) of this Agreement, the time for such vacation to be determined by mutual agreement between Synagogue and Rabbi. B. Rabbi will be entitled to       paid holidays each year plus       personal (Number) (Number) days. The Synagogue will notify the Rabbi as much in advance as practical with respect to the holiday schedule. Additional holidays may be allowed in connection with holidays which fall on weekends. C. The personal days are to be scheduled in advance to the mutual convenience of the Rabbi and the Synagogue . Such personal days must be taken during the calendar year and cannot be carried forward into the next year. D. Sickness. The Rabbi is allowed       sick days per year. Sick days are not (Number) cumulative and may not be carried from year to year. E. Jury Duty. Rabbis will be given time off, with pay, for jury duty up to three weeks in any given year. F. Emergency Leave. If a member of the Rabbi's immediate family dies or becomes critically ill, the Rabbi will be allowed up to       days of leave with pay. Additional (Number) time may be granted, without pay, upon approval of the Synagogue. V. Benefits of Rabbi. Rabbi and the family of Rabbi shall be eligible to participate in benefit plans generally available to other employees of Synagogue, including, but not limited to, savings plans, retirement plans, welfare benefit plans (including, but not limited to, medical, dental, disability and life, but excluding severance plans) and similar plans, practices, policies and programs. VI. Residence . The Rabbi shall be entitled to the use of the residence owned by the Synagogue at       , hereinafter called the R esidence ) (Street Address, City, County, State, Zip Code) for the Rabbi, spouse and children and members of the Rabbi’s immediate family during the term of this Agreement, and for any additional period specified below. The Synagogue shall pay on a timely basis all costs of necessary maintenance and repairs, except those caused by the Rabbi, family or guests -- normal wear and tear excluded; those caused by guests of or sponsored by the Rabbi Engagement Agreement Page 3 of 7 Synagogue, and those caused during Synagogue sponsored events; all costs of necessary painting of the interior and exterior of the premises; and all fire, extended coverage and liability insurance premiums regarding the residence. The Rabbi shall pay on a timely basis all other expenses arising from or related to occupancy of the residence, excluding normal repairs caused by ordinary wear and tear. The residence shall be furnished with a refrigerator, stove and oven and other appliances as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties herein. VII. Termination. A. This Agreement may be terminated by the Rabbi in the event of any material breach or violation by the Synagogue of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement which breach and/or violation continues after the expiration of ten (10) days from receipt of written notice thereof from the Rabbi to the Synagogue. B. This Agreement may be terminated by the Synagogue in the event of any material breach or violation by the Rabbi of any of the terms and provisions of this Agreement which breach and/or violation continues after the expiration of ten (10) days from receipt of written notice thereof from the Synagogue to the Rabbi. The Synagogue agrees to act reasonably in deciding whether any action taken by the Rabbi constitutes a material breach or violation of this Agreement. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Synagogue in the event of any act or omission by the Rabbi, which materially violates accepted standards of moral conduct, fraud or other material willful misconduct. VIII. Responsibilities of Rabbi on Termination. A. Vacating Residence . Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Rabbi agrees that the Residence occupied by the Rabbi and family shall be immediately vacated by the Rabbi and family, or at such later time at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Synagogue. B. Use of Pulpit Following Termination Notice . Following the giving of notice of termination or non-renewal of this Agreement by the Rabbi or the Synagogue, the Rabbi will permit the pulpit to be occupied by such Rabbis as may from time to time be designated by the       . (Name of Committee or Board) IX. Termination for Disability. A. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Synagogue has the option to terminate this Agreement if Rabbi shall, during the term of this Agreement, become permanently disabled as the term permanently disabled is fixed and defined in this Section. Such option shall be exercised by Synagogue giving notice to Rabbi by registered mail, addressed to him in care of Synagogue at       , (Street Address)       , or at such other address as Rabbi shall designate in (City, County, State, Zip Code) writing of Synagogue's intention to terminate this Agreement on the last day of the month during which such notice is mailed. On the giving of such notice, this Agreement shall Rabbi Engagement Agreement Page 4 of 7 cease on the last day of the month in which the notice is so mailed, with the same force and effect as if such last day of the month were the date originally set forth in this Agreement as the termination date of this Agreement. B. For the purposes of this Agreement, Rabbi shall be deemed to have become permanently disabled, if, during any year of the term of this Agreement, because of ill health, physical or mental disability or for other causes beyond Rabbi's control he shall have been continuously unable or unwilling or shall have failed to perform his duties under this Agreement for       consecutive days, or if, during any year of the term of (Number) this Agreement, Rabbi shall have been unable or unwilling or shall have failed to perform his duties for a total period of       days, irrespective of whether or not such (Number) days are consecutive. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term any year of the term of this Agreement is defined to mean any 12-calendar-months period commencing on       , and terminating on       , during the term of (Date) (Date) this Agreement. X. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision. XI. No Waiver. The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred. XII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of       . (Name of State) XIII. Notices. Unless provided herein to the contrary, any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement. XIV. Mandatory Arbitration . Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect. Rabbi Engagement Agreement Page 5 of 7 XV. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement. XVI. Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party. XVII. Assignment of Rights. The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party. XVIII. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. XIX. Compliance with Laws. In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties. IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. SYNAGOGUE By: (Signature of President) (Signature of Rabbi)             (Printed Name of President) (Printed Name of Rabbi) Rabbi Engagement Agreement Page 6 of 7 Exhibit A Duties of Rabbi  Giving a sermon on weekly basis;  Replying to queries of people relating to their religion;  Leading the Congregation in prayer;  Interpreting the Holy Book;  Help individuals who desire to convert to Judaism;  Conducts prayer services;  Oversee teaching youth about their religion;  Serve as a scholar for the Congregation;  (If married with family) provide for his wife and kids;  S erve the religious, spiritual, educational, and emotional needs of congregation;  Shape and model the congregation’s religious and spiritual values;  Provide general oversight of the b’nai mitzvah program.  Supervise and work with the cantorial soloist.  Travel to where there is a need of the members and support them if they are sick or in need;  Create sense of community within the Congregation and in the broader community;  Arbitrate and/or mediate congregational issues and disputes within the Congregation;  Write and publish articles for the Congregation and the community;  Encourage support and understanding for the needs of vulnerable Jews in other lands.  Be available, as is practical, during reasonable office hours, as necessary for congregants and staff.  Educate members and community on history, culture, custom, Torah, Israel, religion, spirituality, and other aspects of Jewish life;  Lead weekly Torah study groups.  Actively participate in the financial aspects of the Congregation;  Serve as an integral part of the management team, with administrative responsibilities;  Participate in committee, staff, executive committee, and Board of Trustee meetings;  Officiate at religious ceremonies associated with major life events such as weddings, funerals, bar and bat mitzvahs, and any other life events;  Officiate at celebrations and commemoration of religious holidays ; and  Perform such other tasks as may be reasonably requested by the Executive Committee and/or Board of Trustees. 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