increased in recent years. And the
Conservative Jewish population has
remained relatively steady.
The Conservative rabbi shortage is
caused, instead, by an increased
demand for rabbinic services. "There's
been an increased interest across the
board in Jewish education and in
deepening Jewish life," said Meyers.
"Congregations have a variety of con-
stituencies and having just one rabbi
may not be enough to meet their
needs."
In addition, more non-pulpit jobs,
such as chaplaincies and day school
administration positions, are opening
for rabbis. According to Krakoff, only
half his classmates pursued pulpit jobs.
His class includes people going into
military chaplaincy, working at Jewish
community centers, teaching abroad
and someone pursuing a doctorate.
Salaries and benefits for
Conservative rabbis vary tremendous-
ly, depending on job descriptions and
region, said Meyers. He estimated that
starting pay for pulpit rabbis ranges
from $50,000 to $80,000.
The Conservative rabbi shortage
shows some sign of waning in the
coming years. The Jewish Theological
Seminary has increased recruitment,
and next year's graduating class of rab-
bis will number 40, considerably more
than this year's 26. In addition, the
new Ziegler School at the Los
Angeles-based University of Judaism
will graduate its first class of rabbis
next year.
Judaism's youngest stream, the
Reconstructionist movement, is the
only other movement facing a rabbi
shortage. According to Lani Moss,
interim executive director of the
Reconstructionist Rabbinical
Association, the number of congrega-
tions affiliating with her movement
has grown tremendously in recent
years and there are not enough rabbis
to go around. Currently, 21
Reconstructionist pulpit and adminis-
trative positions are open.
According to Rabbi Arnold Sher,
director of placement for the Reform
movement, 62 Reform rabbis were
ordained last year, and — except for
synagogues in isolated locations —
most jobs get filled.
Rabbi Steven Weil, of Young Israel
of Oak Park, says that all segments of
Orthodoxy are enjoying a "wonderful
abundance" of rabbis. "For every pul-
pit or teaching position out there,
there are hundreds of applicants," he
said. "Many people use their rabbini-
cal degree for oth( - professions." El

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