Robert Tabak Email and Phone Number

I have edited the organization's newsletter, the RRA Connection, since 2002. This publication appears three times a year. Since I began editing, approximately 250 of the 380 members of the RRA have contributed to symposiums or other discussions in the newsletter on topics ranging from approaches to Jewish holidays or prayer to changing roles in the rabbinate or personal practices and Jewish communal life. I also write a column "Sources and Resources" in each issue briefly reviewing and noting new books, articles, and web sites of interest.Member of ethics committee, 1993-2003. Lead drafter of 1993 breach of trust RRA professional ethics code. Member of ethics code revision committee, RRA, 2007.

Volunteer chair of pluralistic non-profit organization sponsoring low-cost retirement plans for rabbis and cantors. Established 2012. Endorsed by Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Alumni Association of Hebrew College, OHALAH, Association of Rabbis and Cantors (ARC); International Rabbinic Fellowship; alumni of,Academy for Jewish Religion (CA); Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.

Web Curator (developing web content), www.najc.orgAlso member of professional ethics committee, 2002-2006, Lead drafter of professional ethics, breach of trust ethics code. Council on Collaboration (later known as Spiritual Care Collaborative) 2004-05: served as co-chair of ethics committee drafting common guidelines for six North American pastoral care and education organizations. Organized monthly peer support group for members beginning in February, 2014.

Served as staff chaplain at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). I was part of a multifaith pastoral care department at a major university teaching hospital in Philadelphia. I offered support to patients, families, and staff of all religious and ethnic backgrounds at times of illness, crisis, and difficult decisions. I also worked in the Pastoral Care department to develop continuing education programs for staff chaplains.

Taught Intro to Judaism and co-taught honors course "The Jewish-Christian Encounter" in Theology and Religious Studies Dept. Developed web materials, readings and multi-media resources, research topics and materials. Evaluated written and oral presentations. Created interactive learning for traditional college students and for working adult students on campus and in community settings.

Develop web content and learning materials on chaplaincy. Teach distance learning sessions for ongoing class learning about Jewish values related to illness, chaplaincy, death, dying, and comforting mourners.http://www.jewish-funerals.org/gamliel-institute

Taught Introduction to Judaism courses in Religion department. Developed web-based materials and discussion boards as well as video, film, and written sources for use in classroom. Assisted students in developing research papers and developing critical skills.

Directed staff and programs related to American ethnic and immigrant history. This position was part of the leadership team and included work on developing budgets, writing grants, seekin funding, and setting program priorities. Program responibilites included museum exhibitions, youth education, and adult and community programs. Recruited members and staffed academic advisory council. Supervised college student interns including work on individual research projects using museum and research library collections. The Balch Institute has closed and merged with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

The Board of Rabbis includes rabbis of all Jewish movements. This position included continuing education for rabbis, editing a newsletter, and collaborating with community groups on outreach programs. I worked extensively in interfaith relations, including staffing and participating a Protestant-Jewish dialogue group, largely composed of clergy, Programming included religious services and other programs for people with special needs, the Jewish Deaf community, and for new immigrants from the Former Soviet Union. I also was involved in recruiting, supervising, and organizing continuing education for part-time Jewish chaplains serving hospitals, geriatric centers, state prisons, and state facilities for people with mental health issues or developmental issues. I also served as part-time chaplain at several Philadelphia hospitals.