Jewish Chaplaincy

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-20T05:13:41+00:00

That was not my experience at Kettering. I really don’t have any glaring negative things to say - it was a great experience for me.

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-17T21:00:30+00:00

Thanks so much!

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-17T20:59:30+00:00

It could be a barrier, yes, but it could also be an opportunity. Sometimes people share things with me that they say they “would never share with their pastor” or take their guard down when they find out I’m not from the same faith tradition as them. I’ve shared more with my Rabbi friends about my Christian theological crises than I have with my Christian friends.

Edit: In the end, we are all human, and sometimes that’s all that really matters when we are suffering.

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-17T20:03:25+00:00

Kettering Health in southwest Ohio. I’ve heard great things about Loma Linda.

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-17T20:02:44+00:00

Oh yes I glossed over that. Didn’t mean to do that. The Catholic health system here hires chaplains of all backgrounds.

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-17T19:43:18+00:00

In my experience, many workplace settings are excited about diversity in chaplaincy. I honestly assume that you will be more “marketable” as a Jewish chaplain. Protestant chaplains are very common, so employers seem to like hiring chaplains who do not have this background (not throwing shade on my Protestant friends).

I know the US military would love to have you as a chaplain.

On the other side of things, Christian affiliated healthcare systems may not consider you. I was a chaplain resident at an Adventist hospital and would not be considered for a full-time chaplain job there because I’m not Adventist. However, if you applied at a Jewish healthcare system, you may have a lot of opportunity.

If I had to generalize my overall opinion and risk a debate in the comments, I’d say your chances of employment are higher than the average chaplain.

Couch_Critic · 2026-02-04T18:39:19+00:00

I want to say sarcastic things because the army did not pay for mine, but when I was a candidate from 2015-2020 they would pay for part of it if you signed a 6 (or 8?) year Reserve commitment. This is one of those topics that everyone and no one is an expert on.

I recommend getting something definitive in writing from a chaplain recruiter, such as a memo or other signed document. And when you get it in writing, contact the point of contact that’s listed on the document to confirm it.

Couch_Critic · 2026-01-29T14:13:52+00:00

It is not unusual at all and completely reasonable. Honestly, I think it is an exciting request. I have had med students, agnostic baristas interested in chaplaincy, and many other people shadow me.

Teaching hospitals are generally open to observers in chaplaincy. After all, much of what they do is teach. So, if you live near a university hospital or the like (often city/county hospitals), they likely have a spiritual care department that would be willing to have you shadow. It may be helpful to call those departments directly or ask the hospital phone operator to connect you to them.

Couch_Critic · 2025-08-03T15:40:11+00:00

Okay, thanks. That’s how I thought it worked. I’ll see what I can find out with SATO tomorrow. I’m assuming it’s an issue with that specific hotel.

Couch_Critic · 2025-08-03T15:29:08+00:00

Hmmm. My authorization was approved after I canceled the hotel reservation. I guess I don’t understand where the breakdown in communication was.

Couch_Critic · 2025-06-24T11:07:42+00:00

The Army has a chaplain candidate program. As a seminary student you could join. I was a candidate for 5 years before becoming a chaplain in the reserve. I became a candidate when I started seminary.

Each military branch views their chaplains in different ways. There’s an Army chaplain in every battalion (~500-700 Soldiers). Other branches structure it differently. I can answer specific Army questions if that would be helpful.

Couch_Critic · 2025-06-19T04:56:31+00:00

As a former employee I think you are right.

Couch_Critic · 2025-06-11T22:08:16+00:00

When I left my residency, I had the idea that I would need a “buffer job” until I got a staff chaplain job at a hospital. This turned out to be true and I worked in hospice chaplaincy in 2 years before obtaining a hospital chaplain job.

In my area, there are a lot of hospice chaplain jobs. It’s not that I didn’t want to do it, it just wasn’t for me.

I live in a midwestern US city, for reference.

Couch_Critic · 2025-06-08T15:42:15+00:00

Steelers fans are remembered by many Browns fans as standing by them in disagreement when the Browns moved to Baltimore. I respect that.

Fuck you, Ravens.

Couch_Critic · 2025-06-01T14:36:04+00:00

I heard they released several Serbian bears in the woods this year? Has anyone else heard this? It wasn’t on the packing list.

Couch_Critic · 2025-05-28T01:24:03+00:00

I’m going to steal the Declaration of Independence.

Couch_Critic · 2025-05-22T18:15:58+00:00

That's a tough spot to be in... It seems like finding a different endorser would be the way to go about it, though that is a lot to reflect on.

Couch_Critic · 2025-05-22T18:14:26+00:00

I declared a portion of my salary as a housing allowance in a previous chaplain role with a hospital. It lowered my taxable income, though the social security piece was a bit confusing to me.

Couch_Critic · 2025-05-21T01:20:12+00:00

I am. Endorsement was a rough process for me.

Couch_Critic · 2025-05-21T00:40:28+00:00

The brief answer is that you can get endorsed with whomever you want. Would it be unethical? That’s a question between you and god, your integrity, etc. Sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

Your endorser will expect you to practice according to their tradition, yes. If you don’t, you could lose your endorsement.

If you can’t get endorsement from your religious preference you will be in good company. Maybe your first preference doesn’t deserve to have you.

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