Religious School Director

Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) in Scotch Plains, NJ is a traditional and egalitarian Conservative synagogue, with a warm, welcoming, family environment.  Our Religious School Director will continue to bring energy and creativity to our Religious School, will implement creative, quality programming for our youth and families, and will ensure that all ages are engaged as learners and participants in meaningful Jewish living. CBI is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment for all its members, and we are proud to have been recognized as an ABLE Awarded Synagogue by the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. 

The Religious School Director will be supervised by the Executive Director and will join the Rabbi, Cantor, and Executive Director as members of CBI’s senior staff, working together to craft and implement a vision of lifelong congregational engagement. The Director will serve as a community builder, fostering a welcoming atmosphere and inviting all to participate meaningfully in congregational learning and living. We are committed to supporting the professional growth of the Religious School Director and we seek someone who wishes to grow and thrive along with CBI.

Areas of Responsibility:

Religious School Director for a 200+ student school:  Pre-K, K-7, and High School

• Develop, implement, and evaluate curriculum as needed with emphasis on synagogue and Hebrew language skills, in addition to holidays, lifecycles, and history, ensuring that the needs of all students and all types of learners are addressed.
• Oversee all Religious School procedures and records including calendar management, facility needs, class registration, and student files.
• Recruit, train, observe, support, and evaluate faculty, ensuring that school goals and expectations are met.
• Supervise and encourage the involvement of teenagers as classroom assistants in the Religious School.
• Create family programs and other opportunities outside the classroom including Shabbat celebrations for each grade level.
• Communicate regularly with parents regarding school programs and individual student progress.
  
  Shabbat and Holiday Programming
  
  
• Oversee Junior Congregation / Kids Kehilah and Tot Shabbat, with an eye to using these programs as an engagement tool for congregational families and community outreach.
• Develop, implement, and oversee High Holiday educational programs for all school-aged students.
• Collaborate with clergy to coordinate and expand congregational holiday celebrations and learning opportunities.

Congregational Engagement

• Build connections between “school” and “shul” -- integrating Religious School students and their families into the larger synagogue community with innovative classroom and experiential learning, creative family services, intergenerational community building activities, special holiday programs, parent education opportunities, congregational Shabbat dinners, and social action projects. 
• Hire, supervise, mentor, and guide staff to run programming with/for teenagers in Kadima and USY youth groups.  Continue to build youth programs in engagement and membership, ensuring that programming is safe, social, relevant, and appropriately educational.  Link to regional youth offerings as available. 
• Enhance opportunities for teenagers to engage with the synagogue by building upon the existing Hebrew high school program, and continuing to engage teens as leaders and participants in Shabbat, holiday, and religious school programming
• 
  Administration
  
  
• Develop and manage the CBI education budget under Finance Committee guidance.
• Partner with lay leadership on the Education Committee to shape school policy, elicit parental support, develop new ideas, and implement programs, ensuring that the goals of the school are consistent with the goals of the congregation.
• Plan calendars for all educational and related engagement events, in conjunction with office staff and lay leadership.
  
• Attend board and staff meetings on a regular basis.
  
• Work collaboratively with CBI office and professional staff. 
  
  
  
  Qualifications include:
  
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Jewish Studies, education or related field; Master’s Degree preferred
• Proven experience as a Jewish educator, either in the classroom or informal settings
• A track record of effective teaching and programming, demonstrating a student-centered and progressive approach to educating young people
• Supervisory experience in an educational setting, 2+ years preferred 
• Minimum 3 years teaching experience
• Proficient computer skills
  Excellent communication and organizational skills, including social media

Benefits:

1.   Positive work environment
2.   Days off determined by work schedules
3.   PTO
4.   Medical Insurance Stipend
5.   Professional Development