Are you passionate about Jewish student engagement and community? Hillel at the University of Rochester seeks an enthusiastic and innovative Assistant Director to lead student engagement and foster an inclusive, vibrant Jewish campus community. Be part of a small but mighty Hillel with a lot of room for independent ownership and vision. In this role you'll empower students to explore their Jewish identity, create meaningful experiences, and develop a lifelong connection to Jewish life.
*Please note: This job post is meant to be inclusive of the skills and expertise we hope a candidate has, but we recognize that each candidate’s background and strengths will vary. If you are interested, please reach out.
The University of Rochester is an elite medium-sized university with approximately 6500 undergraduates – of which we estimate approximately 500 identify as Jewish – as well as several thousand graduate students. The school merges the best resources and opportunities of a top-tier research university with the close-knit self-contained campus feel of a small college. Undergraduate students study on the main campus within the School of Arts, Science, and Engineering, as well as at the Eastman School of Music, while graduate students additionally study in graduate schools for business, medicine and dentistry, nursing, and education.
With a small but mighty staff of three, Hillel at the University of Rochester is a major force in Jewish life on campus. We offer a weekly home-cooked Shabbat dinner and Friday night services, holiday celebrations, and Jewish learning. We also offer opportunities for social impact and civic engagement, social gatherings that bring the community together, and programming and travel that connects students with Israel. We are currently located in an interfaith chapel, and value our relationships with friends of other faiths. We also have a friendly relationship with our local Chabad chapter and partner with them on occasion. We are to be in the process of raising funds for a capital campaign that will lead to designated UR Hillel space in a new building, estimated ground breaking during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Rochester, NY has a mid-sized community of approximately 17,000. The area has a friendly vibe, and is consistently rated as one of the most livable communities with affordable housing, easy accessibility, and with lots to do. In addition to the great kosher offerings at Wegmans, the renowned grocery chain, Rochester has an independent kosher bakery and butcher shop that is going through a renaissance with a new owner. Rochester is known for its festivals, including a week-long jazz festival each summer. There is an annual Jewish film festival and Jewish book festival hosted by the local JCC, as well as over a dozen synagogue communities. There is a growing commitment to supporting Jewish young adult life (approx aged 22-35), with programming and activities sponsored by the local Jewish Federation and area synagogues, as well as local grassroots peer-led efforts.
About Hillel International
In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.
Hillel is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all.