Bet Am Shalom Synagogue, a Reconstructionist, pluralistic synagogue in White Plains, NY, is looking for a part-time Interim Director of Jewish Education to join our professional team.
The ideal candidate could fulfill all of the elements of this position description, but we welcome qualified applicants interested in a more limited role.
The Interim Director of Jewish Education is broadly responsible for Torah La’am and family programs, working closely with our Rabbi, Youth Coordinator, and Executive Director. Torah La’am is our religious school, providing programs for students in grades K - 6. Kindergarten and 1st grade instruction takes place on Sunday mornings, and 2nd through 6th grade classes take place on both Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons, with periodic supplemental programs during the year on Shabbat and holidays.
We are seeking a thoughtful, knowledgeable, relational, and well-organized educational leader, with a rich background in Jewish and general education to fill this important role.
Responsibilities include the following: Administrative and Educational: • Oversee curriculum for Torah La’am • Supervise our team of Torah La’am teachers with regular classroom observation and feedback • Meet with teachers to provide support with implementing lesson plans, classroom management and acquire materials • Plan and facilitate meetings for the teaching team • Hire teachers as necessary • Communicate effectively with children, parents, teachers, synagogue staff, and community leaders, in person and in writing • Write periodic e-newsletters to families • Organize yearly parent–teacher conferences in collaboration with School Administrator • Interface with the synagogue’s Executive Director and office staff on a timely basis to ensure programs have necessary resources • Arrange for substitute teachers as needed • Attend and present updates at School Board meetings (approximately six evenings/year) • Field and respond to parent phone calls, emails, and texts • Provide student support as needed during school hours (behavioral and medical) • Coordinate additional Hebrew support for 2nd-6th grades • Maintain and oversee Torah La’am budget in coordination with the executive director
Programmatic: • Work closely with our Rabbi to plan and implement our Shabbat and holiday “Kulanu” programs (communal prayer and holiday services and dinner) • Plan Shabbat No’ar, our twice a year Torah La’am integration with the main Shabbat service • Organize and lead our Sunday and Wednesday assemblies including prayer and song. • Plan and oversee other holiday programming for Torah La’am
Qualifications: • Experienced educator • Knowledgeable Judaic background • Comfort with basic Hebrew reading and speaking • Fluency with Shabbat and holiday tefillot • Facility with leading musical programs preferred
Start Date: Immediate