Director of Youth Development and Engagement

We welcome applicants of every background, race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Mission Statement

Temple Adat Elohim is an inclusive Reform synagogue. We are all ages, abilities, races, and orientations. We offer support in times of need, joy in times of celebration, and at all times trust, friendship, and community. 

Job Summary

Join our dynamic team at Temple Adat Elohim (TAE) and make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. The Director of Youth Development and Engagement position offers the opportunity to design and lead engaging programs that guide youth through key developmental milestones, from their transition from the Early Childhood Center to kindergarten and beyond. This role is pivotal in delivering high-quality Jewish educational experiences, ensuring safety, and measuring program success, while building meaningful connections with staff, families, and the TAE community. It is a chance to make a lasting impact on young lives and contribute to a vibrant, supportive environment.

Description of Ideal Candidate

We seek a dynamic and innovative educator with experience and passion for Reform Jewish education and congregational life. We seek a leader who is creative and will partner with our team as we make changes to our education and engagement initiatives to meet the needs of our diverse congregation. The ideal candidate will share our aspirations for education and engagement efforts that reach across the generations to excite, challenge, and enrich our congregation. 

• Director of Youth Development and Engagement Responsibilities
• Develop a visionary approach to reimagining how Jewish Education can be organized and delivered within the synagogue context. 
• Design and implement innovative supplementary educational curriculum. 
• Support clergy with the development of an engaging confirmation curriculum. 
• Create and execute a variety of engagement opportunities offering diverse paths for teens (post bar/bat mitzvah). 
• Collaborate with clergy and other temple staff to ensure a unified vision of TAE. 
• Develop outreach strategies to increase enrollment in the Religious School and teen programs.  
• Reach out to unengaged teens through creative means to encourage participation, foster dialogue, and connect them to the TAE community and its offerings. 
• Recruit, schedule, and manage all kindergarten through 12th grade staff, volunteers, and interns.  
• Maintain ongoing communication with parents regarding student progress, program updates, and upcoming events. 
• Establish a Youth Advisory Committee to gain input from participants of all programs to assure ideas are heard and build a path to success. 
• Research best practices of youth engagement at comparable synagogues. 

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have experience with youth programs in a Jewish setting, along with strong organization and leadership skills 

REQUIRED (non-negotiable)

• Bachelor’s degree (Jewish education, education, or a related field preferred)
• Experience in Jewish education and youth programs in a Jewish setting
• Ability to read, decode, and teach prayerbook Hebrew 
• Criminal background clearance 

PREFERRED

• A minimum of two years of Jewish educational leadership experience
• Jewish camp or youth group experience
• Master’s degree (Jewish education, education, or a related field preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and ShulCloud or a similar software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience communication with parents, students, teacher, clergy, and lay leadership
• A self-starter who can work both collaboratively and independently.
• Flexibility, accuracy, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines. 
• Effective time management skills
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality. 

Hours and Location

• This position requires about 40-50 hours per week at Temple Adat Elohim.
• General schedule:  Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hours are flexible based on office and program needs.