CNS Ethics Code

Congregation Ner Shalom Ethics Code

I. Introduction

    Congregation Ner Shalom is a Reform Jewish community. We have a vibrant, multi-generational congregation, guided by tradition, grounded in the modern world, and infused with the values of our faith.
    Congregation Ner Shalom is an inclusive congregation that demonstrates respect for the needs of all. Through worship, learning, and a concern for social justice, we strive to better ourselves, our community, and the world at large.
Our Jewish values embody the teaching that every human being is created in the image of God (b’tzelem Elohim). We therefore strive to hold ourselves to the highest standards of personal integrity, social responsibility, and human decency. When we behave ethically and hold ourselves accountable, Congregation Ner Shalom is a safe and welcoming environment.
This values-based code of ethics sets forth the principles and expectations for adherence to standards of conduct for our clergy, congregants, staff, visitors, and guests, whether participating in a Congregation Ner Shalom activity that is in the building, online, or offsite.

II. Code of Ethics

A.    Exemplify Holiness (K’dushah), or to follow the Commandments that we received from G-d. 
    Congregation Ner Shalom welcomes all who wish to engage with our community.
1.    We embrace everyone without regard to religious background, age, ability, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or socioeconomic status. 
2.    We strive to make all who participate in our community feel a sense of belonging with the expectation that they may openly state their ideas and concerns and that we will respond with respect.

B.    Honesty (Yosher), or to act and speak without deception or malice. 
    Congregation Ner Shalom expects all who engage in our community to conduct themselves in an honest manner.
1.    We promote open and honest communication that allows for addressing differences constructively.
2.    We protect the confidentiality of privileged information, either about an individual or the synagogue, and do not disclose it without permission.
3.    We respect the efforts of others and do not take credit for their work. 
4.    We make decisions regarding synagogue-related matters with transparency, openness, and accountability, unless confidentiality dictates otherwise.

C.    Honor (Kavod) or as in the Bible, the importance of our obligations to Ner Shalom and our community.
    Congregation Ner Shalom values acting with integrity.
1.    We act solely according to the synagogue’s best interest when acting on its behalf. 
2.    We refrain from using one’s synagogue position for personal advantage or benefit.
3.    We conduct financial matters related to synagogue involvement with complete honesty.
4.    We conduct employment practices and related decision-making in an ethical and legal manner.
5.    We establish and enforce the appropriate policies and procedures to protect the employees of the congregation, such as fair employment policies, grievance reporting, and conflict resolution procedures.

D.    Compassion (Rachamim), or as God nurtures us, we must nurture others.
Congregation Ner Shalom embraces the fundamental value of performing acts of loving kindness (g’milut chasadim).
1.    We treat others with respect, dignity, fairness, and kindness.
2.    We refrain from derogatory speech, negative talk, gossip, and slander whether in person or on social media. 
3.    We oppose bullying including any unwanted behavior that degrades, humiliates, or oppresses another. Verbal, physical, or cyberbullying is never acceptable.

E.    Justice (Tzedek) requires us to be fair in all our dealings; to be righteous.
Congregation Ner Shalom believes everyone entering our space has the right to feel safe and respected, and that we are morally and ethically responsible for one another (kol yisrael areivim zeh bazeh).
1.    We do not tolerate sexual harassment.
2.    We do not tolerate acts or behaviors that exploit the vulnerability of another, take advantage of a power imbalance, compromise one’s moral integrity, or create an intimidating, offensive, abusive, or hostile environment. 
3.    We strive to protect those who appear to be the victims of abuse or neglect.
4.    Procedures for addressing allegations of unethical behavior are available on request from Congregation Ner Shalom main office.  

III. Addressing Allegations or Unethical Behavior

Congregation Ner Shalom Ethics Code will be made available to all congregants, staff, and clergy. Visitors and guests will be able to see the Code, on request, from the Congregation Ner Shalom main office. The Code will also be published on the Congregation Ner Shalom website. The Code, and Addressing Allegations of Unethical Behavior document, will be updated as appropriate. Examples contained in the Code are not all-inclusive.
The following procedures delineate how Congregation Ner Shalom will address allegations of unethical behavior based on the Congregation Ner Shalom Ethics Code.

A.    The synagogue president will appoint a congregant to chair an ad hoc Ethics Committee for receiving and addressing allegations of unethical behavior. They will also select a minimum of three committee members based on the following qualities: integrity, leadership, independence, and ability to handle challenging situations. The synagogue president shall be an ex-officio member of the Ethics Committee. The synagogue president, if unable to serve, shall appoint a member of the board to serve in that capacity. Members of the Ethics Committee must recuse themselves if an allegation pertains to them in any way, including if they are related to or in direct relationship with the accused. 

B.    An allegation of unethical behavior, oral or in writing, should be directed to the synagogue president, rabbi, or Ethics Committee chair. To initiate an Ethics Committee process, the person who received the allegation will share the information with the other two. If the allegation pertains to any one of the Committee members, that person must recuse themselves. 

C.    If an allegation of unethical behavior pertains to a member of a professional organization with its own code of ethics such as the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), American Conference of Cantors (ACC), Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE), National Association for Temple Administration (NATA), or Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the Ethics Committee will consult with the ethics committee chair of that organization, to coordinate the congregation’s process with that of the professional organization, balancing the needs of the congregation and those of the professional body.

D.    When an allegation of unethical behavior is made to the Ethics Committee chair, the chair will decide with the synagogue president whether they should consult independent legal counsel representing the synagogue.
Note: The Congregation Ner Shalom board, rabbi, and Ethics Committee need to be knowledgeable of state laws addressing nonprofits, employment matters, administrative or law enforcement reporting duties, and other relevant legal requirements. When an allegation is first reported to the synagogue president, rabbi, or Ethics Committee chair, it may be prudent or necessary to consult or hire legal counsel when addressing allegations of unethical behavior, especially allegations involving more grievous allegations. Notice may also need to be made to the synagogue’s insurance company.

E.    Where an allegation raises the possibility of imminent and substantial harm to the person(s) of concern, legal obligations, including contacting law enforcement officers, will take precedence and supersede any procedures otherwise delineated by this Code. The synagogue president, in consultation with the Ethics Committee chair, may take such action as deemed appropriate. 

F.    The Ethics Committee will decide on a process that includes information gathering, deliberation, and resolution based on the particulars of each allegation. The default process includes a restorative justice process facilitated by someone with adequate training in that approach. If this is not practical, the fallback default process includes community mediation facilitated by someone with adequate training in that approach. If this is not practical, the Ethics Committee will decide on a process that at least incorporates the values of restorative justice and community mediation. All efforts will be made to resolve matters as promptly as possible without compromising restorative values.

G.    The Ethics Committee will decide on any outcome, remedy, or consequences. The only restriction on outcomes, remedies, or consequences is that they must be consistent with our values. Also, outcomes, remedies, or consequences can violate laws or policies of the State of Virginia only as an intentional act of civil disobedience and only with the approval of the board.

H.    The work of the Ethics Committee is a good faith effort to heal our community, so the expectation is that everyone involved in an Ethics Committee process will comply with all Ethics Committee requests to assist in information gathering. The Ethics Committee will document in writing all steps, from an initial allegation of unethical conduct to ultimate resolution. 

I.    Any Ethics Committee process will maintain confidentiality to the extent practical and consistent with thorough assessment and restoration of the matter.

J.    Any instance of retaliation against someone for making a good faith report of unethical conduct under the code or against someone for compliance with an Ethics Committee request is itself unethical conduct and violates this code. Good faith reporters and participants in any part of the complaint and investigation process should expect to endure no form of retaliation for their participation.

K.    Ethics Committee processes will:
1.    balance the Jewish principles of judgment (din) and compassion (rachamim). 
2.    respond to the allegation with sensitivity and compassion.
3.    withhold judgment pending completion of a full evaluation.
4.    bear in mind that healing and reconciliation are important goals to achieve.
5.    consider the goals of healing and reconciliation in determining how to proceed. This suggestion is not to minimize the importance or the consequence of violating this code. Rather, given the broad range of possible code violations, responses to such behavior should be proportional and sensitive to the context of congregants dealing with others within the Ner Shalom community.

L.    While there is no time limit to making an allegation of unethical behavior, the time that has elapsed since the alleged violation may be one of many factors in the totality of circumstances considered by the Ethics Committee.