Principal of Religious School - Beth Tikvah Congregation

Principal of Religious School – Beth Tikvah Congregation

Beth Tikvah Congregation is looking for a warm, dynamic, and organized professional to serve as our part-time Religious School Principal. We anticipate this position to be 25–30 hours per week. We are looking for someone who loves working with children and values strong connections with families.

In this role, the Religious School Principal will oversee our PK–12th grade educational programs and bring energy and new ideas to enhance our welcoming environment where children, teens, and families can strengthen their Jewish identity.

The Religious School Principal will handle the day-to-day operations of our Religious School and work closely with our Rabbi, Vice President of Education, and Religious School Parent Committee. The Religious School Principal will be a key part of our team, collaborating with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to shape a vibrant program that helps our students thrive.

At Beth Tikvah, we believe in lifelong Jewish learning. Our community is built around the values of Torah, and we’re committed to helping people of all ages live meaningful Jewish lives—at home, in our congregation, and beyond.

If you are passionate about Jewish education and want to make a real difference, we encourage you to apply for this position—we would love to meet you.

Beth Tikvah Congregation envisions this position growing in scope over time. While the primary focus is leading our Religious School, there is potential for the role to evolve into a Director of Congregational Learning, with responsibilities including adult education and family engagement, to create a more cohesive educational program for all ages.

We value passionate, ambitious, and forward-thinking professionals and are committed to supporting your professional growth within our congregation.

Who We Are

Beth Tikvah Congregation (BTC) is a lively, warm, and friendly Reform Jewish congregation located in the northwest Chicago suburbs. We are composed of approximately 250 member families, including over 100 religious school students.

At Beth Tikvah Congregation, relationships matter most. We are well-known for our inclusive, involved, caring, and compassionate community; our excellent clergy, staff, and lay leadership; and our strong commitment to life-long Jewish learning. We take pride in the positive difference BTC makes in our members’ lives.

At BTC, we are dedicated to Jewish values and the pursuit of holiness through engaging worship and education, the celebration of holidays and lifecycle events, caring for one another, and working together to improve the world.

We welcome interfaith families and advocate for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. We foster strong affiliation with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and the URJ summer camp Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI).

Core Responsibilities

Staffing and Supervision

• Hire, supervise, and schedule staff and teen aides.
• Provide ongoing support and feedback to staff.

Curriculum and Program Management

• Develop and update curriculum and programming for Religious School and Family Education, along with the Rabbi, Vice President of Education, and Religious School Parent Committee.
• Use Google Classroom (strongly preferred) or another digital platform for the Religious School’s Learning Management System.

Operations and Logistics

• Manage the school calendar, class lists, and classroom/building space usage.
• Coordinate materials, equipment, and technology needs.
• Monitor attendance and address discipline issues.

Communication and Community Engagement

• Build relationships with students, families, staff, and lay leaders.
• Write weekly staff announcements, a monthly Temple newsletter article, and schedule/programming email updates.
• Handle Religious School-related emergency communications.
• Collaborate on parent engagement initiatives.

Financial Oversight

• Manage the budget, payroll, and purchasing of materials.
• Ensure adequate staffing, including substitutes, as needed.
• Oversee the collection of tzedakah and other fundraising opportunities.

Current Religious School Schedule

• Sunday: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Preferred Qualifications

• Passionate about working with children and teens and fostering Jewish education.
• Minimum 2–5 years of experience in an educational leadership setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Judaic Studies, Education, or a related field.
• Some experience managing people.
• Has classroom experience.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Proficiency with technology platforms, especially Google Workspace.
• A love for Judaism, youth, and a sense of humor are essential.