CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Director, Jewish Learning Adventure (JLA)
Congregation Emanuel of the Hudson Valley (CEHV) seeks to fill an immediate opening for a Director of our religious school.
The Jewish Learning Adventure (JLA) is a vibrant and growing program for children and teens that helps them nurture their Jewish identity, embrace Jewish values, and develop the skills needed to embody a lifelong love for Jewish learning. The JLA offers hands-on learning experiences that instill a strong Jewish identity and deliver foundational Hebrew language instruction to develop reading fluency and comprehension skills necessary for prayer and ritual observance. It also nurtures a sense of community through a lens of social justice.
The Director of the JLA will oversee all aspects of the religious school, working closely with faculty, administrative staff, and clergy to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering experience for children and their families.
The Director will be empowered and encouraged to explore ways to reach and teach every child in ways that foster:
- An appreciation of Jewish traditions as they live and grow in a modern world
- A deep sense of pride in their Jewish heritage
- Joy in Torah study, along with the ability and desire to engage in Hebrew prayer
- A connection to the State of Israel and an appreciation of Jewish culture and community around the world
- A commitment to acts of chesed (kindness) and tzedakah (charity)
- Opportunities to form friendships and develop a strong sense of belonging and responsibility within the local community
The ideal candidate will be a highly skilled, enthusiastic, and experienced administrator with a proven record of leadership as an educator, communicator, and community builder. They will be familiar with the tenets of the Reform Movement and adept at designing and leading programming that supports progression from early childhood through post-B’nai/B’not Mitzvah education in Judaic and Hebrew studies.
Successful candidates will also:
- Be skilled at supporting and mentoring teachers and volunteers
- Be open-minded, flexible, and creative in the development and expansion of learning experiences and curriculum
- Be familiar with (or open to) digital and hybrid learning platforms and approaches
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Effectively manage ongoing school operations, including new student/staff recruitment and registration, budget, maintenance of student records, procurement of educational materials, school calendar, class scheduling, security guidelines and planning, and programming.
- Communicate and collaborate with CEHV leadership regarding the use and stewardship of educational facilities.
- Think strategically and creatively about the future of the school, collaborating with stakeholders to review and update existing curriculum to ensure a progressive curriculum that reflects CEHV’s mission and vision statements and core values.
- Communicate and work cooperatively with multiple constituencies, including CEHV leadership, Rabbi, Cantor, school staff, families, and community stakeholders.
- Create a warm and inviting learning environment, emphasizing high expectations related to academic, personal, and Jewish values, while bringing positivity and consistency as the “face” of the school.
- Hire, train, supervise, and mentor teachers, classroom aides, and other staff and volunteers.
- Be an active and administrative presence during school hours, for JLA activities, and during Shabbat and Jewish holiday programming.
- Attend relevant Religious School Committee and Board of Trustees meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS
- B.A./B.S. or higher in education and/or Judaic Studies or related fields (preferred but not required)
- Experience in educational administration, budgeting, and human resource management. This could be at the departmental level (e.g., Director/Coordinator of Hebrew Education) or at the institutional level (e.g., Principal/Administrator).
- Experience in Jewish education, teaching, and curriculum development.
- Hebrew and prayer literacy/proficiency (strongly preferred).
- Understanding of the tenets of Reform Judaism.
POSITION START DATE: Immediately
SALARY: $30,000 annually
APPLICANTS: Please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] by Friday, September 20, 2024, or fill out the Google form here.
WORK REMOTE/HYBRID: This position offers the opportunity to work remotely 15 hours during the week plus an additional 5 hours a week are required to be in-person on Sundays, when school is in session.
ABOUT THE CEHV COMMUNITY
Congregation Emanuel (CEHV), a Reform Congregation in Kingston, New York, is the oldest synagogue in the Hudson Valley with perhaps the youngest membership.
We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and Tikkun Olam, and are a vibrant, egalitarian, socially active, and community-focused synagogue with committed leadership and a rich spiritual tradition.
We welcome all individuals who are:
- Interested in exploring Judaism
- Interfaith families
- Jews by choice
- Jews of Color
- LGBTQIA+ Jews
- Jews who embrace Sephardic, Mizrahi, Ashkenazi, and other Jewish identities
- Jews of all ages and life circumstances
- Individuals and families regardless of financial status
Please visit our website at www.CEHV.org