Job Title: Administrative Assistant
Department: Clergy & Interfaith Dialogue Center
Status: Non-Exempt Salary
Schedule: Monday-Friday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Reports To: Members of Clergy (2) and Director of the Center for Interfaith Dialogue
ABOUT US
Congregation Emanu-El offers a warm and majestic environment to congregants while also acting as a bold leader in the greater New York Jewish community. Founded in 1845 by German Jews who invited "all who come in peace" to partake, Emanu-El is the largest Jewish prayer space in the world with one of the most remarkable memberships in the country. Led by Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson, it provides spiritual, religious, educational, and cultural programming to community members of all ages. The synagogue features a top-rated nursery school, an award-winning religious school, the Stettenheim Library, the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Judaica Museum, the Streicker Outreach Center, Emanu-El Downtown, and the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Cultural Center with Judaic, cultural, and socio-political adult educational programming.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Administrative Assistant for the Clergy and Interfaith Dialogue Center plays a crucial role in supporting the day-to-day operations at the temple. This position is responsible for a variety of administrative tasks, including answering and directing telephone calls, welcoming and assisting visitors, managing office tasks such as word processing, maintaining records, filing, faxing, and operating the mainline phone system. The Administrative Assistant provides essential clerical support to the Rabbi, Assistant Rabbi, and the Director of the Interfaith Dialogue Center, ensuring the smooth functioning of the office and its activities.
This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in various software applications. The successful candidate will also assist in supporting the broader goals of the Center, which seeks to combat religious intolerance through engaging interfaith dialogue and action on social issues.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CLERGY
Administrative and Clerical Support:
- Perform a wide range of clerical tasks, including drafting correspondence, photocopying, scanning, recording lifecycle information, expense management, and managing office supplies
Calendar and Scheduling Management:
- Maintain an accurate and current service and program calendar for clergy
- Ensure appointments and commitments are clearly scheduled, communicated, and confirmed
Membership and Public Interface:
- Act as a key point of contact for congregants and members, responding promptly and supportively to inquiries via email and phone, including in complex or sensitive situations
- Provide exceptional phone coverage, including covering the mainline when scheduled
- May be assigned Membership department and High Holy Day assignments
Cross Departmental Coordination:
- Communicate regularly with Downtown and Religious School (RS) teams to ensure clarity on responsibilities and key dates
- Maintain awareness of uptown and downtown RS calendars, relay essential information (e.g., Downtown dates, major events) across teams, and promptly reflect changes in all relevant calendars
- Occasionally work evenings and weekends at Clergy related and Interfaith Center events
- Additional administrative and programmatic responsibility as needed
CENTER FOR INTERFAITH DIALOGUE (CID) FUNCTIONS
Specialized Administrative Support:
- Manage departmental correspondence, including email communication and event reminders
- Track event registrations and maintain subscriber lists for newsletters
Program Support:
- Assist with event preparation, including printing and distributing materials
- Support event setup and logistics
Design and Web Support:
- Assist with basic graphic design and website content updates
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required
- Experience in program development and administration
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Proficiency in Salesforce (willing to train), Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Suite, C communications platforms (e.g., Mailchimp), and data management software; willingness to learn new programs
- Familiarity with Canva and WordPress preferred; training may be provided
- Strong ability to set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and maintain attention to detail
- Excellent sense of professionalism and discretion, with sensitivity to privacy
- Team-oriented, with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and congregants
- Comfortable working in a Reform synagogue and representing the synagogue in public settings
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, flexible, reliable, courteous, and kind
CONGREGATION EMANU-EL’S EEO STATEMENT
Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The Congregation does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Apply
For more information about the position, or to apply, please send a cover letter and resume by email with the subject line “Administrative Assistant” to: [email protected]