B Mitzvah and Teen Program Director

Position Overview

JKG's two-year B Mitzvah program provides a whole new way to become a Jewish adult. The innovative experience combines Jewish learning and community service and culminates in a group B Mitzvah celebration. Students learn as a group and build Jewish friendships as they prepare for this special milestone. 

B Mitzvah students develop a foundational understanding of Jewish culture, values, history, and Hebrew language through interactive learning with other middle schoolers, community service, and a personal exploration project. Rather than a traditional Bar/Bat Mitzvah synagogue service with Torah reading, students celebrate their transition into Jewish adulthood during a meaningful ceremony and a presentation of their learnings with family and friends.

In addition to providing a gender-neutral, inclusive way to approach this special milestone, the term B Mitzvah reflects the uniqueness of our program and the students who participate.

The Teen Leadership Academy is comprised of several elements:

• Teaching Experience and Mentorship
• Leadership Academy Training
• Leadership Development Workshops
• Book Club
• Learning Grants (Optional)
• Peer-Led Programming (Optional)

Position Responsibilities

The B Mitzvah Program Director position is multifaceted. It includes overall program vision; curriculum development and guidance; hiring, developing, and managing the teaching team; event planning, parent communications and engagement; enrollment; and student management. The categories of responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Program Development 

• Hone vision and approach of B Mitzvah and Teen Leadership Academy Programs
• Work with leadership team to refine policies, procedures, and program initiatives
• Manage the implementation of JKG's experiential Jewish and Hebrew curriculum
• Solicit and integrate audience feedback, always aiming to get better
• Elevate the community through the implementation of new programming
• Steward relationships with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s JTeen initiative and other community partners to ensure access to the latest networking tools

2. Team Management

• Recruit, hire, train and on-board teachers, assistant teachers, specialists, and volunteers as needed.
• Co-plan and run Teacher Orientation at the beginning of the school year.
• Plan and run regular staff meetings and professional development sessions for the teaching team. At JKG, we aim to “get better, faster.”
• Support teachers as needed with lesson planning, classroom management, and behavior management.
• Cultivate a positive, hard working, supportive culture among staff.
• At times, the Program Director will also serve as a teacher. The nitty-gritty of this will be determined by the Program Director and Director of Program Operations together.

3. Leadership Team Collaboration

• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with the leadership team, collectively and independently:
• Bi-weekly 1:1 connection with direct supervisor
• Bi-weekly leadership team meetings
• In-person workday with leadership team once per week
• Ongoing collaboration with the Director of Education, Development Coordinator, and other team members as appropriate.

4. Family Relationship Management

• Go above and beyond what parents expect (send “happy emails,”  regular check-ins, and create opportunities to show parents you care.) 
• Send weekly program updates to families.
• Communicate with parents during work hours by phone, email and in-person meetings about their child’s experience at JKG. 
• Ensure that families are well-supported throughout the process of the B Mitzvah experience.
• Serve as the point of contact for all questions and information about JKG B Mitzvah and Teen Leadership Academy programs.

4. Operations Management

• Communicate any on-site facility issues as they arise by notifying appropriate parties or taking action as needed.
• Coordinate shared supply and space needs with the Morningside Afterschool Program Director.
• Maintain the administrative side of the community in ChildPilot (student/teacher documents, medical records, student enrollment and attendance records, employee timesheets, etc.)
• Purchase program supplies and snacks as needed and manage inventory.
• Manage budget and spending for the program.
• Security: Open and close building, issue and monitor building access/keycards, and direct on-site security personnel during program hours.

5. Enrollment

• Recruit prospective families through emails, open houses, festivals, promotional events, and other creative marketing strategies throughout the year
• Steward families through the enrollment process
• Take families out to coffee, ice cream, etc. as part of the enrollment process to get to know them better and encourage them to enroll in JKG
• Lead tours for new families and interested parties

6. Curriculum and Programming 

• Oversee the implementation of JKG Judaics and Hebrew curriculum, and Year Two Personal Interest Projects (PIPs).
• Work with the Director of Education to update and integrate the current B Mitzvah curriculum into the larger JKG curricular plan and formatting.
• Refine and maintain the JKG B Mitzvah and TLA curriculum files.
• Communicate regularly with the teachers to ensure high quality of lessons, preparedness, and engagement.

6. Special Projects and Events

• Plan and execute five community service field trips for the First Year class, coordinating with community service organizations outside of JKG and communicating expectations with JKG families

• Manage Second Year Personal Interest Projects by connecting with the teacher and parents to keep track of where the Second Year class, helping to adjust and develop the plan for the Personal Interest Projects throughout the year as needed 

• Coordinating Event Logistics for the JKG B Mitzvah Ceremony: 
• Find and book a venue for the JKG B Mitzvah 
• Plan the logistics of that day, including how students will present their PIPs and ensure students are prepared for all aspects of the ceremony
• Communicate with parents and staff about their roles and responsibilities with the ceremonies.
• Manage all logistics related to B Mitzvah ceremonies.

• Attend and help plan special JKG events as needed, including Shabbat Potlucks, festivals, tabling events, etc.

7. Miscellaneous 

• Any other special projects, new initiatives, and responsibilities that may fall under the JKG B Mitzvah umbrella.

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate:

• A community builder, fostering strong connections and a sense of belonging
• Background in Jewish education and Jewish summer camp
• Experience with event planning
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Collaborative mindset: adept at working seamlessly with both internal teams and external partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Proficient in various technology platforms and customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Strong understanding of traditional Judaism, coupled with a wholehearted embrace of JKG’s progressive approach to the Jewish experience

More Information

• Position Type: Regular Full Time, Exempt Employee
• Work hours: Sunday-Thursday
• Start Date: Early to mid-April, 2025
• Base Salary: $51,500 annual salary
• Benefits:
  • Health Insurance
  • Enrollment bonuses (up to $5,000) 
  • Employer matching retirement fund contribution of up to 4%
  • $500 annual professional development stipend
  • Paid Time Off (20 days, your birthday, plus Jewish holidays and Federal holidays)