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Ritual Director

Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am 55 Yeomans Road, Toronto ON

 

RITUAL  DIRECTOR | Beth David Synagogue

Toronto, Ontario

Beth David Congregation is one of the most dynamic Egalitarian conservative congregations in Toronto. It contains the rich history of the B’nai Israel congregation and the Beth Am congregation. We provide a place of worship, study and gathering for all age groups, including seniors and young families. Today Beth David successfully accommodates the flourishing Montessori Jewish Day school on its property and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2025.

The Opportunity:

Our Synagogue is seeking a dedicated, energetic, and collaborative Ritual Director to lead our ritual life, support our spiritual community, and inspire engagement across all generations.

As a Ritual Director, you will serve as a spiritual Leader serving the religious, educational, spiritual, and pastoral needs of its membership. You will supervise and be responsible for all religious services and rites of the Synagogue. You will work in close partnership with our Clergy and staff, you will ensure our services run smoothly, our sacred traditions are upheld, and our congregants feel connected and supported

Responsibilities

Service Leadership & Torah Reading

  • Torah Reading: Serve as the primary Ba-al Koreh for Shabbat, Festivals, High Holidays, and weekday services; coordinate all Torah readings.
  • Service Leadership: Lead services as Chazan Sheini (P’Sukei D’Zimra on Shabbat/Festivals) and Ba-al Tefillah (Friday evenings/Shabbat afternoons), filling in for primary service leadership as needed.
  • High Holidays & Special Services: Plan and conduct the High Holiday Havurah Service (as directed by the Rabbi Cantor); read or coordinate readings for Megillat Esther (Purim) and Aicha (Tisha B’Av).
  • Daily Minyan: Oversee and attend daily Minyan services in the synagogue or designated alternative locations.
  • Honours Management: Assign and coordinate Aliyot, Haftorot, and other ritual honours for all services.

Education, Youth & B’nai Mitzvah

  • B’nai Mitzvah Tutoring: Teach B’nai Mitzvah lessons for children of both members and non-members celebrating at our synagogue.
  • Program Administration: Plan and manage B’nai Mitzvah and post-B’nai Mitzvah programming in collaboration with synagogue professionals.
  • Member Empowerment: Train members, including youth, to actively read Torah and lead services.
  • Teaching: Contribute as an educator to our broader educational programs.

Pastoral Care & Member Engagement

  • Pastoral Support: Provide pastoral guidance to members in coordination with the Clergy.
  • Visits: Conduct hospital and Shiva visits for congregational families.
  • Outreach: Actively initiate engagement with current and prospective members (and their children) through personal calls, emails, and social media.
  • Kaddish Recitation: Recite or arrange for Kaddish recitations as requested by congregants.

Ritual Administration & Sanctuary Logistics

  • Sanctuary Prep: Prepare the sanctuary, chapel, and ritual setups prior to all services, life-cycle events, and wedding ceremonies.
  • Ritual Objects & Text Management: Maintain, order (with Board approval), and properly dispose of ritual items, prayer books, and Chumashim.
  • Holiday & Commemorative Logistics: Coordinate the sale of Lulavim/Etrogim and Hametz; light Menorot and memorial plaques as required.
  • Yahrzeit & Memorial Records: Maintain memorial records, notify families of upcoming Yahrzeits, and manage the ordering/maintenance of memorial plaques.

Community & Administrative Engagement

  • Committee Support: Attend Ritual Committee meetings, Board meetings, and other committee meetings as requested.
  • Development & Sponsorships: Support synagogue fundraising by promoting donations, sponsorships (Kiddushim, Seudot Shlishit, breakfasts), and life-cycle commemorations.
  • Team Collaboration: Maintain a positive, collaborative, and productive working relationship with clergy, staff, and lay leadership.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Liturgical Expertise: Proficient Ba-al Koreh with strong knowledge of traditional service leading (Tefillah) across Shabbat, Festivals, and High Holidays.
  • Educator’s Mindset: Proven experience tutoring B’nai Mitzvah students and empowering congregants of all ages to participate in ritual life.
  • Pastoral Warmth: Compassionate interpersonal skills suitable for hospital visits, Shiva support, and pastoral guidance.
  • Organizational Skills: Strong attention to detail regarding sanctuary preparation, administrative scheduling, and record-keeping.
  • Computer Skills: Proficient using MS Word, Excel and Outlook and sending emails  to communicate with members, clergy and office staff and updating the formal internal communications media (the Window and Socials).
  • Communication: Excellent communication  and outreach skills via phone, email, and social media platforms.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, with a competitive benefits package.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about enriching Jewish communal life and leading ritual traditions with warmth and excellence, we would love to hear from you!

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience to [email protected] with the subject line "Ritual Director Application – (Your Name)