The Rabbis and Cantors Retirement Plan (RCRP) offers ordained Jewish clergy the opportunity to receive tax-free retirement distributions as housing allowances (parsonage), in keeping with IRS regulations. Rabbis and cantors may participate regardless of Jewish denomination.

Since its establishment in 2012, nearly 100 participants have opened retirement accounts with RCRP, representing over $12 million in retirement assets. Our first participants have begun to receive retirement benefits through RCRP.

Our Plan participants include graduates of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, ALEPH, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Theological Seminary, Academy for Jewish Religion-California, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Yeshiva University, and Academy for Jewish Religion (NY), as well as holders of private ordination.

Our current supporting organizations are the Alumni Association of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, OHALAH, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and Academy for Jewish Religion-California.

In accordance with IRS regulations for a “church plan,” the Plan is maintained by the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts (SCM), a pluralistic association of more than 100 New England congregations and communities. Participation in the Plan remains available to rabbis and cantors throughout the United States, and is NOT limited to residents of the SCM region.

In the words of SCM, “The relationship with RCRP is consistent with our mission of promoting Jewish unity and pluralism, and building community within an increasingly post-denominational eco-system.”

The RCRP is administered by the Rabbis and Cantors Retirement Board (RCRB), the majority of whose Directors are appointed by SCM. As of May 2017, the RCRB Directors are: