Job Summary
Temple Israel is seeking a creative, entrepreneurial, organized, and dynamic full-time Assistant Director of Temple Israel Religious School & Family Engagement to help shape and deliver meaningful, innovative Jewish educational experiences for children in grades 3–12. With a strong emphasis on relationship-building and community engagement, the Assistant Director will play a central role in connecting youth and families through TIRS (Temple Israel Religious School), holiday celebrations, afterschool clubs, youth groups, and USY events at both local and regional levels.
This is an ideal opportunity for a passionate Jewish educator who is both a visionary and a detail-oriented implementer—someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, loves working with children and teens, and is committed to creating joyful, inclusive, and values-based Jewish learning experiences.
Please note:
· This position requires teaching on Sunday mornings and Tuesday & Wednesday evenings during the academic year; Monday will be your regular day off during that time.
· When school is not in session (i.e., during summer and breaks), the regular schedule will shift to Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and Friday, 9:00AM-3:00PM.
· The Assistant Director is expected to attend all TIRS and youth programming, including Machar, Kadima, USY, holiday events, and family/social programs throughout the year.
· The Assistant Director will act as Director in the Director’s absence.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
Educational Leadership & Administration
- Ensure smooth Sunday morning Religious School operations in collaboration with the Director.
- Teach classes as assigned in the Sunday morning or Tuesday/Wednesday evening program.
- Support faculty with classroom setup and supply needs.
- Model and communicate TIRS standards, guidelines, and policies to staff and families.
- Maintain up-to-date contact records for parents, staff, madrichim, and students.
- Organize supplies and oversee logistics for school-wide events and programs.
- Support adherence to the annual budget, including supply orders and payroll tracking.
- Co-plan and implement youth holiday programming for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu B’Shvat, Purim, Passover, Yom Ha’atzmaut, and Shavuot.
Youth Outreach & Programming
- Partner with the Director of TIRS & Family Engagement to foster a dynamic youth group culture with engaging, age-appropriate programming for:
- Machar (Grades 3–5)
- Kadima (Grades 6–7)
- USY (Grades 8–12)
- Manage youth group communications, calendar, and promotional efforts across platforms.
- Coordinate logistics for events, trips, and programs while ensuring inclusive outreach to Temple Israel youth and families.
Teen Engagement & Teaching
- Mentor and support the USY Teen Board by facilitating meetings, developing leadership skills, and coaching interpersonal dynamics.
- Serve as Temple Israel’s liaison to local and regional USY, encouraging active participation.
- Teach two trimesters in Hebrew High, the elective-based community high school program.
Skills / Qualities / Knowledge Requirements
- Warm & Welcoming Demeanor: Friendly, approachable, and inclusive; creates a positive, supportive atmosphere for students, families, and staff.
- Child and Adolescent Development Expertise: Deep understanding of developmental stages and the emotional, social, and cognitive needs of children and teens. Able to form meaningful connections, model empathy, and cultivate joy in Jewish learning.
- Organizational Skills: Highly organized with keen attention to detail; capable of managing multiple projects, deadlines, and logistics with efficiency and follow-through.
- Technical Proficiency: Skilled in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Adobe, ShulCloud, and/or similar CRM/database platforms.
- Judgment & Discretion: Exercises sound judgment and handles sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality.
- Teamwork & Independence: Works effectively both independently and as part of a team. Demonstrates initiative, creativity, and self-motivation.
- Family-Centered Mindset: Committed to building strong relationships with families; demonstrates empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills.
- Jewish Educational Passion: Brings enthusiasm for Jewish life, learning, and community; committed to creating accessible and engaging Jewish experiences for youth.
Education & Experience (Preferred)
- Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in Jewish educational settings such as religious schools, camps, youth groups, or day schools.
- Demonstrated success engaging children and/or teens in both formal and informal settings.
- Experience with program planning, curriculum development, and community-building among youth and families.
- Background in Judaism or familiarity with synagogue life.
- Hebrew proficiency preferred – ability to read Hebrew, support Hebrew learning, and collaborate with Hebrew teachers.
