Hillel is looking for a new executive director. Their long-serving and beloved rabbi stepped down at spring (and became the rabbi of the local Reform congregation. So now they formed a search committee. The plan is to get somebody by next Fall. The last three Mondays three candidates for the job were invited… They had a full schedule with all sorts of meetings I am not aware of. But they also met with us, the students. Each of them had 15 minutes to talk about whatever they want and then faced our questions. Here is my little reflection on them. First, I need a bit of clarity in my thinking. I need to separate what I think would work for me and what my assumptions are about what would be good for the community, the students. Regarding the former I have to retrospectively think about what are my expectations. As I sat there three evenings I didn’t really think in terms of what I would want from an incoming leader. But I am realizing now that without having a clear picture on that I cannot form an opinion. It is somewhat challenging for me, because I am new here at UCSB, new to Hillel, new to the concept of belonging to a Jewish organization. (I was so heavily involved, with my Hungarian community that it felt the other way around: it belonged to me and not me to it.) At Hillel I am looking for three kind of connection: to information (study sessions, learning opportunities, discussions groups…), to people (making new friends, socializing) and to G-d (spiritually rich services, uplifting moments.) I expect an executive director help me in these in the corresponding ways. First, s/he should be knowledgeable enough o teach me and flexible enough to enable me to learn on my own and in conversation with fellow students. Second, s/he should ensure that a wide enough variety of programs are available to fit my needs to meet people. I have no complaints at the current level, with kosher cookouts, Friday services, shaharits, dancing… these are more than enough fro me, comparing how inactive I was in recent years. But more and new type of events might also be fun. These are mostly student initiated and led, but a good director should have ideas others might not. Finally my spiritual needs would be best serve by a rabbi, who is involved in services and creating an atmosphere conducive and safe to go deep. The “rabbi” title gives me the sense of authority of knowledge I can more easily relate to. It is easier for me to respect, look up to someone with the title. It maybe prejudice, because I am sure there are lots of learned Jewish leaders who could fill the above mentioned criteria, but still I need to be able to place someone above myself in this regard.I was very impressed by the first candidate. She was very collected, articulate, confident, clearly done her homework. I really liked that she plans to expand Hillel through building relationships with other (type of) organizations. Another huge plus in my eyes is that she is committed to pluralism and even multiculturalism. (Being brought up in a dominantly black neighborhood sure helped to influence her approach.) In my current phase of soul searching I am drawn to people with more conservative values and approaches than my own, this it appealed to me that she is a conservative. (Who, nevertheless, is comfortable with reform and orthodox constituency as well.) But I see it as a potential conflict down the line. If she is to participate in the predominantly reform services on a very regular basis, her own spiritual needs might not be fulfilled at the level she might want them to be. Another concern was coming from the disconnect I felt when she answered the question about her passions. They included dance and signing and she spoke a bit about her involvement in those, but such an impassionate way that it was hard to believe that she really is passionate about those. Finally I am fully aware that her family situation should not be considered when making a decision about hiring somebody, but was a bit disheartened that she didn’t say anything about her family, (beside her parents.) She is fully entitled to it, and I agree that she acted properly not to bring up this topic at all. Nevertheless (also compared with the other two candidates) Judaism being such a family focused religion I remained curious about it. I want to make clear that I respect her no matter what her family situation is.
The second candidate was the closest to my style. He is exploratory, inward looking, a philosophy and math major. I am sure I could have very exciting conversations with him. I could learn a lot and that is important for me. But throughout his presentation I was wondering whether he would serve the community well. My assumption is that I am more introvert and intellectually oriented than most of the other students here. So while I would be happy with his presence I had a very distinct feeling that others would not. Also, he is primarily an educator. I think that we, college students study already quite enough at school. Most of us may not want to come to Hillel to get exposed to more learning studying. I maybe more of an exception than the rule. But I still think that the new executive director of Hillel should not be a teacher first, but an organizer, and a spiritual leader. But I liked his style very much.
The third candidate was not a rabbi and being proud of it. He explained it well and I conceded to his view that one does not need to be a rabbi to be a legitimate rabbi. But as I explained above, there is “something” about the title, that still demands respect from me. It doesn’t come through logical thinking but more on the emotional level. On the other hand from the three candidates, he had the most experience with Hillel, including its programming. He seemed to be respectful all direction. He also gave the impression to be the most creative and fun to work with. His administrative qualities also seemed stronger than the other two persons’. There was nothing in him that I could object, except not being a rabbi, but he addressed that issue with honesty and great deal of integrity.
The way I see it, Hillel functions quite well as it is now. Whether there is a strong vision, pulling/pushing us to a more comprehensive future I do not know, because I am not on the board, not involved in the related conversations. But based on what my understanding, instead of hiring an executive director, I would recommend getting a part-time rabbi and make the interim director a permanent one. If vision and future-building is more important than I assumed, then we do need someone on a full-time basis. I would gladly accept the first candidate as my rabbi, the second as my teacher and the third as my director. Considering that the position calls for an “executive director” my vote would go for the third candidate.