Rabbinic Services

The Council of Young Israel Rabbis in Israel provides courses in several Rabbinic Training programs throughout Israel, Y'mei Iyun to heighten awareness of issues such as family violence, abuse and teenage values identification.

Project Goals

This project has a dually focused impact on Israeli society. Firstly, it trains Rabbis to effectively intervene when there is a crisis within the community. The Rabbi as an apolitical helping professional carries enormous influence in encouraging people to develop improved coping skills in very complex, intricate and intimate circumstances. The project defines for the Rabbis those areas that fall under his purview and those which need to be referred to other helping professionals (psychologists, social workers etc). New Olim, couples in distress, individuals experiencing psychological stress and adolescents are greatly helped through this program.

Rabbinic Placement

The Rabbinic Placement Program places rabbis in communities that have never experienced a community rabbi. Rabbis looking for Positions are matched with communities searching for rabbis.

The commitment is for a two-year tenure. After the two years, the community decides if they are interested in continuing to employ the rabbi at their expense. Before beginning their assignment, rabbis are especially trained in counseling and community affairs.

These communities are interested in spiritual guidance but could not afford to maintain a Rabbi as a formal functionary in their communities. The benefits of the presence of a Rabbinic figure in the community enhances the spirit of harmonious relations and helps to centralize the resolution potential of dilemmas and conflicts.

Joint Sponsors

• Machon Puah Fertility Center
• Machon Ariel Rabbinic Training Institute
• Machon Netivot Family Counseling Center
• Machon Bnei David Rabbinic Training Center

Focal Issues

Family Violence, Abuse, Terrorism Victims, Adolescent Deviations, Parenting Skills, Family Distress (Divorce, etc.) and Coping with the Handicapped

Activities:

• Rabbinic Conferences.
• Participation in Joint Forums to promote welfare of discriminated victims.
• Guidance and Supervision to Rabbinic Pastoral Counselors.
• Rabbinic Placement in communities lacking Rabbinic guidance and inspiration,
• On site and phone consultations.
• Dissemination of information and knowledge essential to community Rabbis.
• Seminar and course for Rabbis on psychological issues and communication skills.

Coordinator:

Rabbi Michael K. Strick