Temple Isaiah, a reform congregation with approximately 750 households, is seeking a full time Director of Youth and Family Education. Our Religious School has approximately 300 students (Pre-K – 7th grade) and is a vibrant place where formal, informal and family education blend to create community and a strong sense of Jewish identity. Our High School learning program (Grades 8-12) has approximately 50 students and is at the beginning of a renaissance. We are looking for a knowledgeable, experienced, and hard-working professional who is excited about collaborating with staff and laity, leading a dynamic staff of full-time youth, family and education colleagues, and visioning toward the future to continue to create positive Jewish experiences for our students and families. We seek a true senior leader—one who is creative, dynamic, motivating, visionary, empowering, and collaborative—to thoughtfully question what we have, re-imagine, and build a youth and family community that is filled with Jewish learning, joyous practice, and deep connection.
Primary Responsibilities • Oversee all education and community-building programs for Pre-K through 12th grade • Working collaboratively with our team and community, set strategy and vision for the future direction of the programs. Lead community and team to the realization of this future direction • Manage school operations during the hours when Religious School are in session • Write and/or direct the development and implementation of grade level curriculum for Pre-K – 8th grade in the Religious School • Create and oversee master calendar for Religious School, Family Education programs, and Makom (Teen Youth Community) • Communicate with all teachers about school policies, schedules, programs, and events including writing and sending a weekly teacher email • Work with Inclusion Specialist and School Administrative Assistant to run a robust childhood inclusion program for which the Temple is well recognized and appreciated • Communicate with parents about relevant programs and events • Manage the educational budget • Maintain overall school environment including maintenance requests and making new purchases • Plan and supervise faculty orientation and meetings • Oversee religious school trips and overnights • Provide meaningful teacher development opportunities to religious school faculty
Supervision • Hire and supervise teachers and oversee teacher contracts • Supervise the religious school admin assistant • Supervise a dynamic youth, family, and education team of part-time & full-time staff • Support all faculty in day-to-day issues like classroom management • Be supervised by the Senior Rabbi • Be provided with opportunities for professional growth and mentoring
Safety and Security • Regularly update school safety and security plans and protocols • Provide safety training for teachers and madrichim in coordination with the executive director and the Lexington Police Department • Conduct drills for teaching faculty and students in coordination with the police • Coordinate with on-site security professionals hired through the administrative office to ensure the safety of students and teachers in the building during Religious School hours • Train teachers and staff on procedures in case a child is exposed to an allergy
Collaboration • Work quite closely with the Vice President for Youth Education in all areas, which includes partnering on communications with the Executive Committee and the Board • Lead and work collaboratively with a cohesive, creative and vital team including the Director of Jewish Journeys (Family Engagement and Pre-B’Mitzvah Engagement), the Director of Inclusion, the Assistant Director of Makom (teen youth community), and the Families with Young Children Coordinator • Work collaboratively with the Senior Staff colleagues of the Senior Rabbi, the Executive Director, the Cantor, the Associate Rabbi, the Director of Engagement, and the Director of Philanthropy • Work closely with the Cantor on Religious School worship • Collaborate with Associate Rabbi on the Confirmation Class Experience • Work with lay leaders, clergy, and senior staff, to develop and implement an ongoing and evolving vision/mission for youth and family education at Temple Isaiah • Ensure that youth and family education and engagement is deeply connected to the wider Temple community, and aligned with the Temple’s strategy/vision • Plan and implement the children’s programs on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur mornings • Assist clergy with planning consecration on Simchat Torah
Personal Characteristics and Professional Skills • Demonstrated experience changing, improving, and innovating programs based on community-input • Commitment to mentoring, professional development and facilitating growth in teachers and madrichim • Possesses team-building skills, the capacity to instill trust, and the ability to understand and balance the many stakeholders in a congregational community • Exhibits warmth and passion • Experience leading Jewish youth education, experiential learning, or comparable programs serving hundreds of members • Ability to relate sensitively and appropriately to children, teens, teachers and families • Possesses excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and administrative skills • Desire to work collaboratively with a broader professional team • Knowledge of, and experience with, best practice and state-of-the-art Jewish education and community-building approaches • Experience with Reform Judaism • Some facility with Hebrew • Facility with technology • Ability to manage a large budget • Advanced degree in Jewish education, education and/or Judaic studies preferred