Director of Congregational Learning
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek (CDT) is a vibrant, growing Reconstructionist community in Newton, MA, with members who live throughout the greater Boston area. We are an egalitarian, inclusive, social-justice oriented, spiritual, intellectual, warm, and participatory congregation. Dorshei Tzedek means “seekers of justice,” and much of our congregational life reflects our commitment to building a more just and loving world now and for future generations.
Our 270+ households are composed of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Our community includes young families, empty-nesters, and people without children; Jews of Color and LGBTQ individuals; people of all class backgrounds and income levels; spiritual seekers as well as non-believers. Among our core values is “machloket l’shem shamayim,” which means “debate for the sake of heaven”; we honor our differences and continually work to make our community a place for sacred conversation across them. Honoring and celebrating the many ways in which we are diverse is integrated into our educational approach, staff training, and community programming, and is central to our school culture.
We are seeking a Director of Congregational Learning (DCL) who will be responsible for overseeing the continued development and implementation of our integrated learning that begins in early childhood and continues throughout the life of CDT members and their families. Success in the role will require envisioning excellent, innovative, and comprehensive formal educational programs as well as informal learning opportunities. In pursuit of these goals, the DCL will work closely with Rabbi Toba Spitzer, and will join a collaborative and supportive administrative team.
Head of Religious School
- Oversee the CDT preschool-7th grade religious school, which meets between September and May on Sundays, 9:30am-noon at Temple Reyim, and includes a Tuesday weekday tutoring program, with responsibility for:
- Curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation
- Teacher recruitment, hiring, training, development, evaluation, motivation, and supervision
- Hiring, training, supporting, and matching tefillah tutors with fourth-sixth grade students
- Supervision of inclusion coordinator, madrichimot supervisor, and part-time administrative staff
- Management of school’s weekly and special events schedule
- Broadcasting the program to the local community to increase enrollment
- Coordinating Sunday morning adult programming, including: adult education, children’s education and development, and parent and intergenerational affinity groups
- Occasional attendance at, and participation in relevant Erev Shabbat and Shabbat morning programming, including attendance at B’nei Mitzvah services if possible
- Establishing relationships with parents one-on-one as needed to ensure that CDT programs accommodate children’s needs and aspirations as well as parents’ hopes and dreams for deepening individual family Jewish learning
- Regular communication with teachers, parents and the CDT community
- Develop and actively manage an annual budget for education programs, within guidelines developed by the Executive Director of Operations and Board Treasurer.
- Serves as an ambassador for the CDT Religious School to the wider community, representing CDT at Jewish and interfaith education-oriented forums in the wider community, and maintaining collegial relationships with education leaders in the Boston area, Reconstructing Judaism educators group, and beyond
- Collaborate with the Children’s Education Committee on projects to support the life of the school
Congregational Programming and Learning Opportunities
- In partnership with Rabbi Toba, develop, oversee, and teach in congregation-wide learning initiatives, which include:
- Adult programming, classes and workshops (both teaching and bringing in others to teach)
- Multi-generational holiday event programming: Sukkot & Simchat Torah celebrations, Chanukah party, Tu Bishvat seder, Purim celebration
- Teen engagement with Judaism via CDT programs, learning and mentorship opportunities, and/or through other Boston-area resources
- Educational programming for biennial CDT retreat
- Innovative Jewish multi-generational education, such as learning trips, special programming and speakers
- High Holy Days:
- Staffing, program development, and refinement of youth and family services and special programming on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in collaboration with Rabbi Toba and professional event logistics coordinator
Congregational Responsibilities and Relationships
- Participate in CDT Members’ meetings and occasional Board and committee meetings as indicated by leadership (e.g., Tikkun Olam, Ritual, Membership, and Engagement)
- Participate as appropriate in strategic planning and other leadership initiatives
- If desired, participate in leading occasional Shabbat morning services
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Jewish education or related field strongly preferred (Rabbis are welcome to apply!)
- 3+ years management experience
- 3+ years relevant teaching experience
- Experience with curriculum development
Skills
At CDT we understand people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. We encourage candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications below. If you believe that you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply.
Required
- Proficiency in Hebrew
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Excellent managerial and administrative skills: scheduling, delegating, and supervising staff; and coordinating volunteers
- Commitment to stay abreast of trends and innovative approaches in the field of Jewish education
- Proficient and creative in the use of technology and media, including but not limited to: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Docs and Sheets, Zoom, social media sites, online learning tools; experience with ShulCloud a plus
- Ability to work and lead collaboratively, inclusively, efficiently, and respectfully
Preferred
- Experience managing a budget
- Familiarity with Reconstructionist ritual and approach to Judaism
Workload/Time Commitment: Daily schedule is determined in consultation with Rabbi Toba. In general, hours fluctuate seasonally, with more intense times in preparation for the school year and High Holydays. Sunday work is required during the religious school year, along with occasional Friday night and/or Saturday morning attendance (mostly in the spring).
In-person/Remote work expectations: Expectations include being in-person during religious school and weekly staff meetings and other programs, with a remote option at other times, in consultation with the Rabbi.
Position reports to: Rabbi Toba Spitzer
In addition to all of the above, our ideal candidate is warm, personable, compassionate, diplomatic, comfortable with a diverse membership (including gender, race and ethnicity, Jewish background, sexuality, class and economic status), and enjoys the challenge of handling a wide-ranging set of responsibilities.
Compensation
Salary: $85,00-$95,000 based on experience
Benefits:
- 15 vacation days for the first three years, plus three personal days
- 7 secular holidays and 3 floating holidays, plus Jewish holidays based on the Reconstructionist calendar (with comp time for holidays that require work time)
- 10 days sick time
- 401K w/ up to 4% matching after the first year of employment
- Medical and Dental insurance available
- Generous professional development stipend
- Paid family leave
Congregation Dorshei Tzedek is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of candidates. People of color, women, men, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants, please submit cover letter and resume to [email protected]. This position is not open to current CDT members.
Priority Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, however, CDT requests interested applicants submit materials by the priority deadline of Friday, March 7th.