Director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford

Reports to: Vice President of Impact & Strategy

Full Time, Exempt

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford (JCRC) serves as the public affairs voice of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. JCRC builds alliances within and outside the Jewish community, educating and galvanizing the community on issues of social justice, enhancing the community’s understanding of Israel, combating antisemitism and hate, and advocating for public policy consistent with Jewish values.

Specifically, the JCRC:

• Spearheads the development of the Federation’s public policy agenda and educates on issues and current events to foster understanding and cooperation within the Jewish and broader community.
• Advocates at all levels of government for public resources to support the activities of the Federation and partnership agencies.
• Builds relationships and mutual understanding with diverse ethnic, racial, faith-based and civic groups.
• Promotes support for Israel and the Jewish people at home and throughout the world via education and advocacy.

Primary Responsibilities: The JCRC Director is responsible for leading the JCRC in implementing its mission and programmatic direction, under the direction of the Federation President & CEO, VP of Impact & Strategy, JCRC Chair, and other lay leadership. Specific responsibilities include:

Community Relations

• Working with JCRC’s volunteer leaders to cultivate relationships and represent the interests of the Jewish community in religious, non-profit, civic, corporate, political, ethnic, and academic arenas, as well as with the media.
• Engaging and working with local Jewish communal organizations, agencies, and community members to advance the objectives of the organized Jewish community
• Educating about and advocating for consensus causes and issues that impact the Jewish community and others
• Working with volunteer leadership to set policy
• Staffs the JCRC Board meetings and sets agenda items in collaboration with leadership
• Monitoring local, national, and international events; formulating and articulating responsive positions; and mobilizing leadership and volunteers for effective action
• Leading regional efforts to combat antisemitism and all forms of bigotry
• Developing programs and initiatives in support of the foregoing, including collaborations that advance social justice, intergroup understanding, and mutual respect

Legislative Affairs

• Establishing and maintaining strong ties with elected and appointed government officials at the local, state, and federal level
• Liaising and undertaking advocacy and public policy work with the Jewish Federation of North America’s (JFNA) Washington, D.C., office; the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA); and the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT), where aligned
• Monitoring local, national, and international events through the prism of Jewish communal priorities and working with leadership and community members to set policy, promote education, and galvanize community action
• Organizing education and advocacy opportunities for community members
• Submitting written testimony and/or testifying on legislation

Miscellaneous

• Working closely with Federation colleagues to ensure that Federation leadership and donors, and the broader Jewish and general communities, understand JCRC’s activities and impact
• Planning and executing community events
• Supporting new and existing grants in collaboration with Federation’s Vice President of Development, and participating in donor cultivation and fundraising activities
• Leading the day-to-day operations of the JCRC including administrative duties of management, budget planning and adherence, communications, committee work, and staff supervision
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in promoting mission-critical programs and initiatives
• Knowledge of and commitment to consensus issues within the Jewish community, including protection of rights and liberties, combating antisemitism, advocacy for Israel, and supporting social justice
• Knowledge and understanding of government affairs, legislative processes, and advocacy
• Experience working with diverse constituencies to develop consensus
• Experience working with professionals, lay people and lay committees.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking and writing letters, op-eds, and public statements on community issues
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Jewish practices, customs, history, and community infrastructure
• Ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks, strong organizational skills
• Personable, enthusiastic, self-motivated professional; comfortable in a fast-paced working environment, including nights and weekends
• Ability to work closely with others in a team environment, and effectively interact with all
• Ability to create and manage project/program budgets and timelines
• Salary Range $75,000 - $80,000

To Apply for This Position

Please submit your cover letter and resume to:  Heather Rubin Fiedler, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, [email protected]