Vibrant, warm, growing, and inclusive Conservative synagogue with approximately 220 families in Howard County, Maryland and 79 students in the religious school seeks an Education/Youth Director for our K-12th grades who will be committed to creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the students both in and outside of our school. We are looking for someone who can be both an amazing Educator Director and a dynamic Youth Director rolled into one. This position begins July 1, 2024.
The ideal candidate should be passionate about Jewish education and youth, a creative and enthusiastic educator and administrator, strong leader, has proven supervisory and classroom management skills, relates well to students and parents, creative in youth programming, and has the ability to create and manage a realistic budget. The ideal candidate should desire to become part of the Beth Shalom community and take part in synagogue and community events in order to form connections with students and parents and engage in recruitment.
The candidate should have a strong Jewish identity, be proficient in Hebrew and Tefillah, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The motto of the religious school is, “Learn our Values, Live our Values, Love our Values.” The ideal candidate should be able to support this credo and ensure that our religious school is both educational, value driven, and enjoyable. The ideal candidate should also be committed to our ensuring our youth program is exciting, functioning at a high level, and offers a variety of programming for all ages.
In addition to the below responsibilities, the Education/Youth Director will bring innovative family and youth Shabbat and holiday programming and will either organize educationally significant High Holiday Youth Services or hire someone on a contractual basis to ensure this is met.
The Education/Youth Director is one of the top staff members who works closely with the Senior Rabbi, Cantor, the Religious School Committee Chair, and the Youth Committee Chair. Experience should include an advanced degree in Jewish Education or a related field. We are looking for someone to bring us to the next level of excellence in our religious school.
Education Responsibilities
- Continuously review, evaluate, and evolve our solid curriculum for areas of Jewish education in addition to the existing Hebrew and Tefillah program.
- Expand on our educational program for all levels of learning as well as elevate our Hebrew enrichment program for advanced students.
- Set yearly curricular goals for student and staff development plus prioritize curriculum needs and establish a three-to-four-year curriculum writing schedule.
- Teacher hiring, development, and retention as well as teacher observation and evaluation.
- Work with teachers to ensure a high level of performance in the classroom and to make sure all teachers have unified, consistent responses to issues.
- Maintain a parent handbook, update student records, including religious school and Shabbat attendance, as well as develop an articulated approach to discipline and make sure all teachers, parents, and students are aware of it.
- Write a regular newsletter to parents and maintain the Religious School’s portion on the website and social media.
Youth Responsibilities
- Develop a plan to revitalize Youth Program including prepare, organize, and execute youth programming from pre-school through teens.
- Create opportunities for teens to come together for social, cultural and religious programming under the banner of Beth Shalom Congregation that may or may not be connected to other congregational events such as dinners, outings, community service, Shabbatons, etc.
- Create programming and publicity for appropriate community events (e.g. Purim Carnival).
- Advertise youth activities in coordination with the Marketing Committee and on social media platforms.
- Develop and maintain the youth section on the Beth Shalom website in coordination with the Technology committee.
- Keep track of participation, conduct surveys, and maintain financial records of Youth events.
- Serve as staff lead for congregational family programs with a large youth presence such as themed Shabbat dinners, young family dinners, and other special programs (e.g. Purim, Haunted Shabbat).
- Recruit parent volunteers to assist with youth programming.
- Bring innovative family and youth Shabbat and holiday programming and either organize educationally significant High Holiday Youth Services or hire someone on a contractual basis to ensure this is met.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Marketing skills as the Education/Youth Director will promote the school and youth activities through outreach and programs.
- Being a team player is essential as the Education/Youth Director will be working closely with other members of the professional staff as well as the lay leaders to assure the Jewish growth of all members.
- Excellent organizational and computer skills, social media, skills and Tech savvy.
- Ability to multitask and provide attention to detail.
Please submit resume along with salary history.