Director of Congregational Learning & Engagement

Temple Aliyah in Needham, MA seeks a leader and educator who is devoting his/her career to formal and informal Jewish learning across the lifespan; who is enthusiastic, accessible and skilled at helping connect a diverse community; and who can communicate with and be responsive to adults and children alike. S/he should be comfortable with change, willing to experiment with different kinds of educational programs and experiences, and strongly

self-evaluative. We are seeking a community builder and team player who fosters a collaborative environment among staff, committees, and the congregation.

Overview of the Position

The Director of Congregational Learning & Engagement is a key leadership position and strategic member of Temple Aliyah’s senior staff. The Director will implement a cohesive vision for congregational learning and engagement, including innovative programming for children, teens, families, and adults. The Director has sole responsibility for Mercaz Aliyah, which offers Jewish education in grades K-7. The Director works closely with clergy, other senior and administrative staff, and lay committees to help ensure that a unified vision of learning permeates programming and services for all ages and stages of congregants' lives. This position reports to the Rabbi for program, curriculum, and halachic matters and to the Executive Director administratively, with oversight by the Adult Education Committee and the School Committee, and the Vice Presidents of Education.

Scope of Responsibilities/Expectations:

 Congregational Learning

• Envisions, develops and articulates the strategic direction, goals, and structure of TA’s educational programs, responsible for both day-to-day operation and supervision as well as long range planning.

• Works with the clergy and lay leadership/committees to develop adult education and intergenerational programming and oversees their implementation.

• Collaborates with the Youth Committee, the School Committee, and the Young Families groups (Temple Tots for ages 0-5 and Mishpacha Aliyah for grades K-5) in implementation of educational programming.

• Plans, implements and attends relevant, quality educational programs (consistent with the congregational learning vision), including High Holiday programming, with thoughtful, effective communication and logistics.

• Maintains strategic and ongoing communications to TA and extended communities regarding educational programming.

• Remains current with research, trends, and innovations in synagogue education and brings best practices to our faculty and learning community.

 Mercaz Aliyah (Religious School)

• Develops, implements, evaluates, and updates curriculum and programs as needed, with input from clergy and lay leadership/committees, so they are thoughtful, innovative, and relevant, and helps develop/strengthen the students’ individual and collective Jewish identity; finds ways to integrate technology strategically into the learning environment.

• Ensures Mercaz Aliyah curriculum is delivered with a child-centered philosophy that recognizes and celebrates the variety of learning styles students have.

• Recruits, interviews, hires, directs, observes, evaluates, develops, and helps retain highly qualified faculty, specialists, and special needs support. Provides professional development opportunities through staff meetings, internal and external programs, and coaching/mentoring.

• Oversees the development and implementation of all Mercaz Aliyah processes including curriculum development, registration, class placement, material procurement, schedule/calendar management, and family handbooks.

• Develops and implements family education as a component of religious school education.
• Teaches, as needed.
• Develops and implements holiday educational programming.

• Attends School Committee meetings, which are held in the evening once a month during the school year.

 Engagement

• Acts as a TA ambassador, fostering and actively engaging students and their parents, congregants, and prospects, helping create a welcoming environment; and maintaining a visible presence in all areas of congregational learning.

• Engages congregants of all ages by facilitating connections within and between education and programming opportunities

• Develops educational programs and marketing materials to recruit new students and their families, and to retain current students and families, encouraging their connection beyond educational programs in which they are presently

 Administrative

• Develops and manages the congregational learning budget, working with the Treasurer, Executive Director, and others, including regular reports to the Board.

• Plans and coordinates (with the professional team & lay leadership/committees) the calendars for Mercaz Aliyah, Family Education, Holiday Programming, and Adult Education.

• Attends Senior Staff meetings and presents updates on a regular basis.

This position directly supervises the Mercaz Aliyah faculty, specialists, special education support, and congregational learning administrative support.

Qualifications/Requirements/Skills:

The Director will have demonstrated experience in a religious school or other educational setting; ability to effectively communicate with parents, colleagues, children, youth, and visitors in a respectful and professional manner; excellent verbal, and written communication skills; requisite Judaic and Hebrew knowledge; and computer literacy and experience using social media for marketing and engagement. A Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Jewish Education, Education, or equivalent is preferred.

Competitive compensation package with generous benefits, including health insurance, flexible spending account, retirement plan, sick time, and paid vacation time. Option of hybrid work from home (in Greater Boston area) and at Temple Aliyah, 1664 Central Avenue, Needham, MA.

How to apply:

Send a resume with a cover letter that advocates your candidacy for this position to Melissa Rudman, [email protected]. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.