Assistant KESHER (Religious School) Director
About Us
Larchmont Temple is a warm, vibrant and inclusive Reform synagogue of approximately 880 families in Larchmont, NY (about a ½ hour from New York City) dedicated to covenantal and innovative Jewish learning, social action and spiritual engagement. Our KESHER (Religious School) Jewish Education program strives to be engaging, joyful, relevant, and inclusive and we have over 435 learners in our K – 12 programs. Rooted in Reform Jewish values, KESHER aims to deliver an experiential and relational educational approach that highlights social emotional learning as our young people grow up engaged in a thriving Jewish community. Our culture is one of innovation and collaboration and we will engage in an exciting and creative programmatic growth process over the next few years.
Position Overview
We are seeking our next enthusiastic, creative, dedicated educational partner and team member as KESHER enters our next chapter. Located in Southern Westchester, NY, this is a full-time opportunity to be a part of our collaborative Larchmont Temple team and offers the opportunity to engage in innovative curricular development, supervision, and an array of New York area professional learning and networking opportunities. This position has an anticipated opportunity for advancement.
The Assistant Director will engage in K – 7 program and curricular development and oversight, management of our part-time KESHER educator team, communications, administration, weekend retreats, family programs, and covenantal partnership with our families. The Assistant Director will also partner with the clergy and other education team members in special holiday, Shabbat and B’nai Mitzvah programs.
Who are you?
You are a self-starter and collaborative team player who has energy, creativity, and warmth coupled with strong organizational, relational, and communication skills. You are someone who takes initiative and thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple ongoing priorities and projects. Passionate about Jewish education, engagement, and youth, you are someone with experience in camp, travel and/or other experiential youth programs, religious school teaching and/or leadership and administration, or other relevant settings.
Background and Experience
- Master’s degree preferred in Jewish education or a related field
- Experience in education, youth programming, including teaching, staff supervision, program development, and administration, preferably in a Jewish setting
- Knowledge of Reform Judaism, Jewish traditions, and prayerbook Hebrew
Hours
This is a full-time exempt position.
- The workweek when KESHER is in session generally is Sunday – Thursdays, with periodic holiday and Shabbat responsibilities (Fridays and Saturdays)
- The workweek over the summer is generally Monday through Friday
- Attendance is also required at Educator Orientations, Faculty meetings and certain synagogue meetings and functions throughout the year
Key Responsibilities
Program
- Assist in the oversight, development/adaptation, management and implementation of certain educational programs and curricula, including our Hebrew decoding program
- Partner and assist in the creation and implementation of Family Education Programs, weekend retreats, and other special holiday and shabbat programs
- Partner and assist in the creation of Educator Professional Development and Learning sessions
- Partner with families and the Director of Education, Youth and Families (the “Director”) in the development of individual learning plans for individual learners as needed
Supervision, Management and Mentorship
- Supervise, manage and mentor the part-time educators in the specific programs overseen (i.e. K -3, 1-2 upper grades)
Partnership With Families in Creating a Covenantal Community
- Engage with families proactively to partner in addressing learner challenges. This will be done in partnership with the Director with the aim of this responsibility growing over time.
- Engage in meeting new Larchmont Temple families as we welcome them to the community
Administration & Communications
- Create and manage weekly and monthly KESHER newsletter updates as well as create marketing materials for special events
- Serve as the main liaison to LT Administrative staff for KESHER Registration
- Partner with the Director and the Temple’s Executive Director in the oversight of health and safety and security protocols
KESHER and LT Team
- Serve as a KESHER team member
- Report to the Director
- Collaborate with other members of the team
- Attend weekly KESHER meetings
- Attend Senior Staff meetings as requested in Director’s absence
Please send a resume and cover letter to Rabbi Eve Rudin, Director of Education, Youth and Families at [email protected].