Director of Youth Engagement

Temple Kol Ami | Scottsdale, AZ, United States

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Posted Date 1/29/2025
Description

The Basics

 Temple Kol Ami  Scottsdale, Arizona  - Director of Youth Engagement

Vision for Jewish Education

Vision – Temple Kol Ami’s vision is to provide learners with an engaging and innovative educational experience by incorporating interactive and experiential components in both the traditional classroom setting as well as our online eBrew program. 

 Mission – The TKA Religious School mission is to ensure that learners feel empowered by their Judaism in an effort to connect their values to their Jewish Identity and to promote and instill a passion for life-long Jewish learning.

Our Philosophy – For Temple Kol Ami, Judaism is more than just being Jewish; it’s “doing Jewish.” We believe that Jewish learning is a life-long process and that “doing Jewish” is a continuous exploration, assessment, and embodiment of Jewish values. We believe that the “Modern Mensch” is someone who incorporates the action of “doing Jewish” in all aspects of their life, which includes an ever-evolving relationship with Judaism and the values Judaism teaches.

Our out-going Director has built an incredible program – top to bottom. However, since COVID, we have not fully returned to the varied opportunities of reconnecting in-person, outside the classroom. Over the next 2-3 years in the future, we would like our Director of Youth Engagement help to (re)create those connections with our families.

About the Institution

  • A brief description of your organization including your affiliation with the Reform movement and the population you serve:

We are a reform Jewish congregation in Scottsdale, Arizona, with 400 families that honors its past and the achievements of the countless generations that have brought us together as a congregation in the 21st century and looks for ways and means to instill our children with an abiding sense of who they are as Jews and as citizens of the world.

We see our congregation as a force for good and decency in our own lives, and a force of change for the better in various communities beyond our walls.

We engage in acts of social justice repeatedly throughout the year. Our children support hundreds of Jewish elderly in retirement and nursing facilities with shelach manot (goodie bags) for Purim, New Years cards and Passover bags. Our Youth Groupers engage in food drives, serve as counselors at Camp SWIFT for children from economically challenged families as well as their school tutors throughout the year. Our families share in food drives, citrus gleaning for the food banks, clothing drives and provide volunteers for a broad variety of social service providers. And that is just the beginning!

We see our congregation as a place for our intellectual growth, our spiritual growth and our social wellbeing.

All with the focus of increasing our commitment to our Jewish faith and its demands on us to help perfect the world as a partner with God.

  • The workplace environment/culture:

We are 400 family congregation with Rabbi, Cantor, Executive Director, Preschool Director & Asst. Director, MarCom Specialist, Finance Director and Executive Assistant (in addition to the Director of Youth Engagement). We meet weekly as a staff, supporting each other, visioning, collaborating and problem solving together. The Director of Youth Engagement is a key member of the Senior Staff of the synagogue.

Our Director of Youth Engagement is given a convention an allowance and professional dues are paid by the synagogue.

Job OVERVIEW

Temple Kol Ami, a vibrant 400 family Reform Jewish congregation in Scottsdale, AZ, is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Youth Engagement to oversee all Kindergarten through 12th-grade youth and family programs. This full-time role is responsible for directing the Religious School, teen programs, and youth groups, fostering an inclusive, engaging, and meaningful Jewish educational experience for nearly 300 children and teens. This position will manage a predominately all-volunteer teaching staff. Our education programs include Jewish identity and knowledge, prayer and B’nai Mitzvah training, social justice programming, Hebrew literacy, Israel programming and more.

 The Director of Youth Engagement will work closely with clergy, lay leaders, educators, and families to create a positive Jewish environment that supports the spiritual, social, and emotional growth of young congregants. The ideal candidate is a creative and dynamic leader who excels in program development, community building, and nurturing relationships across all age groups. The Director is a key member of our senior staff.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Religious School Leadership (K-12):
    • Oversee and manage all aspects of the Religious School, including curriculum development, teacher recruitment and training, classroom management, and parent communication. 
    • Ensure that the Religious School curriculum aligns with Reform Jewish values and promotes Hebrew literacy, Jewish history, culture, and traditions.
    • Develop a welcoming and nurturing environment for students of all abilities and backgrounds.
  • Youth and Family Programming:
    • Design and implement innovative, age-appropriate programming for K-12 students that engages them in Jewish life, including Shabbat, holiday celebrations, social action projects, and family events.
    • Foster connections between families, providing opportunities for multigenerational involvement in synagogue life.
  • Teen Programming:
    • Direct and grow teen engagement through youth group activities, leadership development, social programs, retreats, and travel experiences.
    • Create opportunities for teens to build leadership skills, explore their Jewish identity, and develop strong connections with peers.
    • Work with local Jewish educational partners on communal programming.
  •  Community Building:
    • Cultivate meaningful relationships with youth, parents, and congregational members.
    • Engage new and existing families through outreach and personal connections.
    • Serve as a role model, mentor, and Jewish educator for the temple's youth.
  • Administration & Communication:
    • Design & coordinate registration, logistics, marketing, and communication for youth and family programs, including newsletters, email, and social media.
    • Collaborate with clergy and other temple staff to integrate youth and family programming into the larger congregational life.
    • Participate in weekly senior staff meeting.
    • Manage program budgets and apply for grants or other funding opportunities as needed.

Employment Benefits

Salary is $65-80k based on experience. This is a full-time, exempt employee position. Schedule Includes some Shabbat, holidays, weekends and some evening programming hours. Some travel. The Director and the Rabbi can create a schedule to include remote and in-person work time. Hours can be flexible based on office and/or program needs. The Director of Youth Engagement is expected to be on site when our school programs are in session on Sunday mornings and for retreats and other events that happen occasionally on Shabbat. There is great flexibility on other days when there are no programs, and we strongly value family life/work balance.

Healthcare Benefits Include:

  • Medical:_75% paid by employer (family coverage at employee’s expense)____________________
  • Mental Health:_covered in medical_________
  • Dental:____included in medical___________
  • Vision:____included in medical_____________

Care for Employees:

  • Vacation time/PTO:___4 weeks_________________________
  • Paid family leave and sick time:_Negotiable__________________________
  • Short and long term disability:__LTD after 90 days____________________________
  • Retirement benefits:_negotiable____
  • Life insurance:_Yes__________________________________________________
  • Free or discounted membership or tuition: Free membership, negotiable preschool tuition or religious school

Other benefits or information to share with candidates about how you support your employees:

Phone allowance, bereavement leave; jury duty leave, working with an awesome team and, oh, did we mention it is called the “Valley of the Sun” here for a reason!

Qualifications

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

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree required (Jewish, education, or related field preferred).
  • Experience in Jewish education, youth programming, or related roles.
  • Strong knowledge of Reform Jewish traditions, values, and education.
  • Creative, dynamic, and joyful approach to developing engaging programs, fostering community and managing volunteers.
  • Criminal Background clearance.
  • Proficiency in technology, including social media platforms, educational software, and communication tools.

PREFERRED:

  • A self-starter who can work both collaboratively and independently.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Jewish camp or youth group experience
  • Flexibility, accuracy, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines.
  • Musical or theatrical talents for enhancing programming (e.g., leading songs, Purim spiels).
  • Ability to read, decode or teach prayerbook hebrew.
  • Experience with grant writing and fundraising.

 

** Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to this field, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or to take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar

 Interested parties may email the following items to [email protected]:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Letter of recommendation (optional)
Salary65.00 - 80.00 Annual
Duration
Full Time
Categories
Director | Head of School | Religious School Administrator | Youth Groups Advisor
Organization Type
Synagogue
Benefits
Retirement Plans | Dental | Medical Insurance | Paid Vacation | Sick Days | Vision
Job Location
US
Views 58

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