Rabbi Search
Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbinical Search
After 37 years of dedicated service to Congregation Beth Shalom, Rabbi Zimmerman will be retiring as our full-time Rabbi in mid-2026. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and commitment to our community.
As we look to the future, we are excited to begin the sacred work of identifying our next spiritual leader. This page will serve as your central hub for updates, important dates, and opportunities to engage throughout the rabbinical search process.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at rabbisearch@bethshalom.net.
Search Timeline and Key Milestones
✔ April 2025 – Rabbinical Search Committee convened and begins planning.
✔ June 2025 – Congregational Focus Groups (Please attend one session):
- June 8 (Sunday) – In-Person (following Annual Meeting)
- June 11 (Wednesday) – Virtual at 7:30 PM
- June 17 (Tuesday) – Virtual at 7:30 PM
- June 22 (Sunday) – In-Person at 4:00 PM
✔ June – September 2025 – Develop and submit our official Rabbinic Application Packet to the USCJ.
✔ October 15 – December 2025 – Application Period
- Accept and review applications and résumés
- Conduct telephone screening interviews
- Hold Zoom interviews with selected applicants
- Select and invite Top 3 candidates for in-person weekend visits
- Congregants invited to submit questions for candidates
✔ January – March 2026 – Top 3 Candidate Audition Visits
- Lead Shabbat services
- Meet-and-greet events with congregants, Religious School, and Preschool families
- Guided tours of Jewish Atlanta with each candidate
- Collect and evaluate congregational feedback and candidate rankings
- Final recommendation of top candidate
✔ April 2026 – Extend offer(s) with the top candidate(s) and begin contract and compensation negotiations
✔ July – September 2026 – New Rabbi begins at Beth Shalom
