Youth Educator

 
Youth Educator, Temple B’nai Jeshurun Religious Education Center 

Temple B’nai Jeshurun is a flourishing Reform congregation, located in Short Hills, New Jersey. As a member of the leadership team in the Religious Education Center (REC), the Youth Educator serves the community, in covenant with our clergy, administration, and lay leaders, as a sacred partner to our Director of Jewish Education and Learning Initiatives. 

As a forward-thinking Jewish professional, this individual is a strong team player, an enthusiastic, outgoing, and warm individual who strives for excellence. Our Educators are self-directed, take initiative, and think creatively while also having strong organizational skills and the ability to do the detail-oriented work involved in preparing for and actualizing creative programming. Drawing on their ability, talent, skills and previous experiences in a variety of educational settings, (ie: camp, youth groups, formal and informal education) the REC leadership team contributes to and supports our efforts to transform Jewish education, both within and beyond the synagogue community.   

At TBJ, we value the practice of positive psychology, and thereby uplift the strengths of each member of our community to ensure a professional environment with high expectations that provides the support and resources to actualize our goals and uphold our standards, while enabling every member of our community to thrive. Our REC leadership team members are highly driven individuals who love this sacred work, have a strong desire to learn and grow, and approach our work with a high degree of professionalism. We are a dynamic team of highly experienced Jewish professionals who support one another in achieving personal success and find meaning in fulfilling the synagogue's mission. 

Under the supervision of the Director of Jewish Education and Learning Initiatives, the Youth Educator serves as a creative partner and executor of the Temple’s vision for the education and engagement of youth and their families.  The Educator aids in strengthening the members’ Jewish identities through creative and meaningful opportunities for engagement, while working toward deep connection and interpersonal relationships within the community.  

TBJ Mission Statement  

Temple B’nai Jeshurun is an inclusive, multigenerational Reform Jewish community, rooted in our history and tradition while evolving with our times. Located in Short Hills, New Jersey, we are passionately committed to Spiritual Awareness (N’shamah), Lifelong Learning (Torah), Worship (Avodah), Social Justice (Tikkun Olam), the land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), the Jewish people (K’lal Yisrael), and our congregation as Home (Bayit). Through the covenantal relationship among our clergy, staff, and congregants, we are dedicated to creating and sustaining a warm and caring experience for all who come through our doors.  

As a member of the Leadership Team in the Religious Education Center of Temple B’nai Jeshurun (TBJ) the Educator will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:  

1. Take an active role among the REC staff in creating a culture of care while prioritizing relationship building within the community  
2. Serve on the REC Leadership Team, providing program and administrative support, K-12th grade, in continually innovating our programs and building a connection between the formal and informal educational programs, as teacher/leader, staff or chaperone as needed  
3. Administrative and logistical support for informal/social youth programming K-12  
4. Participate as creative partner to the Assistant Director in coordinating the Judaics curriculum in 3rd – 6th grade 
5. Primary responsibility for the management and implementing the emerging vision for youth engagement and teen education, including:  
   1. Curriculum development, in collaboration with the Assistant Director 
   2. All administrative and logistical support for the 7th – 12th gr:  
      1. Outreach and enrollment 
      2. Communications 
      3. Calendar/set-up 
      4. Supplies and material prep and purchasing 
      5. Teacher/clergy liaison 
      6. Data management:  
         1. Attendance tracking and review/evaluation 
         2. Reporting enrollment and outreach by program/grade 
      7. Serve as a teacher and mentor to participants in the Madrichim program, including the creation and teaching of professional development seminars, and all administrative duties related to the program  
      8. Manage and Teach 7th – 12th grade classes and courses, as assigned 
      9. Serve as liaison between TBJ and NFTY, BBYO, or other Jewish Youth Movements, to broaden the experience of Jewish teen engagement, with and beyond TBJ 
      10. Design and manage weekly newsletters and communications to faculty and families, K-12 
      11. Collect and organize photo and video files to be used in communications and social media    
      12. Optional: Co-Lead Tefillah/Shirah and teach Learner’s Minyan 

Statement of Equal Employment Opportunity 

TBJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, sex, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, handicap and/or disability, affectional or sexual orientation, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, gender identify or expression, transgender status, pregnancy, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or to make available the results, veteran status, or military service or any other characteristic protected by law. TBJ is committed to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, general treatment during employment, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken against any employee violating this policy, up to and including immediate dismissal. 

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Abra P. Lee, at [email protected].