Seeking enthusiastic, organized, collaborative, well-rounded candidate with a passion
for working with Jewish teens to strengthen our Teen program. This part-time (10-20
hours) position can begin as soon as this spring and continue through the 2023-24
school year. The candidate’s primary role would be to support our Assistant Rabbi
with the administrative foundation of the program, as well as taking a role in
developing, leading and teaching at teen programs/events. The candidate should be
able to help with the nuts and bolts of administering a teen program while also
engaging our teens, individually and as a group, in a variety of activities and settings.
This is a support position with the opportunity for growth and additional responsibility
depending on a candidate’s abilities and interests.
Who are we?
Westchester Jewish Center (WJC) is a Conservative, traditional and egalitarian
synagogue, located in Mamaroneck, NY. We encourage our members to gain an
appreciation for how to live life fully as modern Jews by exploring all aspects of our
traditions, history and religious practices. We invite members to experience, participate
in, and celebrate the richness of our heritage and rejoice in its relevance today.
What is our Teen Program? Who are our teens?:
WJC’s teen program includes teens in grades 8-12. Our program is engagement focused,
teen-directed, and collaborative - we are looking to meet teens where they are and to
create innovative, meaningful opportunities for learning, development, and growth. We
meet once a week on Tuesday evenings, and once a month on Sundays for local service
activities and day trips. In the past, our program has included an annual, multi-day
service trip. Our teens go to local public schools, private schools, and Jewish day
schools, and have beautiful, varied, and vibrant Jewish identities and family
backgrounds.
Position Responsibilities:
Communications:
- Manage our weekly teen email update and other email communications to teens
and parents. Communicate with teens on other platforms as needed (text,
Remind app, phone calls) under the direction of the Assistant Rabbi.
Administrative:
- Maintain a basic database of teens in our program, making sure that information is
correct and up-to-date.
- Assist with registration, attendance, sign-ups for programs, events, service
opportunities, and learnings.
- Order and pick up supplies for teen programming when needed.
- In concert with WJC main office staff, manage the Purim Shalach Manot fundraiser.
Educational/experiential (position could include):
- Support WJC staff and Assistant Rabbi with running of weekly teen program on
Tuesdays and monthly teen program on Sundays: some weeks the Tuesday
meeting could be text-based learning, some weeks it could be a game/lounge
night, some weeks it could be an interactive and project-based experience, some
weeks it could be a Teen Board/Council meeting to brainstorm, etc. The Sunday
program will primarily be service-focused (ie, a park cleanup, working at a food
pantry, etc.), but could also include an educational experience like going to Ellis
Island or a museum. This will require being present at WJC on Tuesday evenings
once a week and on Sunday afternoons once a month (length of time will vary on
Sundays). [If COVID prevents us from being in person, the requirement would be
to be present and engaged in Zoom meetings on Tuesday/Sunday]
- Foster relationships between teens of all ages and backgrounds; empower teens
to try new things and develop new friendships.
- Possibility of working with our Teen Council, a small group of teens who meet
regularly to help guide the teen program, under the direction of Assistant Rabbi.
- Possibility of accompanying teens and chaperones on weekend or multi-day trips
once a year.
Hours:
? 10 - 20 hours/week. Flexible, with ideal availability in the afternoons and
evenings, between 3-8pm, at least a few times a week.
? Depending on COVID restrictions and guidelines, in person once a week
(Tuesdays 1x/week and Sundays 1x/month)
? Potentially Four Teen Shabbats per year (1 per quarter) (housing provided if
needed)
? Some holidays and weekends, depending on program calendar.
? If applicant is interested, could include additional High Holiday work (with
additional pay).
Compensation:
$10-20k, dependent on experience and agreed-upon hours.
Who is the Successful Candidate?
Someone with strong organizational skills and communications experience.
Have you created e-blasts and newsletters? Do you enjoy planning programs? We are
looking for a self-starter, someone who pays attention to details, who is organized and
able to multitask, able to stay on schedule, and able to follow-through with
communications requests and directives from WJC staff. Experience with Microsoft
Excel, Constant Contact, and other platforms is a plus, but not required.
Someone who is open-minded and flexible.
Teens are exploring and pushing boundaries, asking questions and figuring out who
they are Jewishly and who they are in the world. Are you able to form relationships with,
support, and encourage teens who might do Judaism differently than you do?
Additionally, we are looking for someone who is able to maintain a positive attitude
when faced with unforeseen changes to programming, particularly given the impact of
COVID over the last year.
Someone with a robust Jewish background (cultural and/or religious), who is passionate
and enthusiastic about Judaism and Jewish life.
We welcome candidates with diverse Jewish backgrounds who are willing to adhere
to synagogue guidelines and policies while working with WJC teens, and who are
comfortable working in a Conservative Jewish community. WJC is a USCJ-affiliated
Conservative synagogue.
Someone who has experience with youth and teens aged 12-18.
Have you been a student teacher? Were you a youth group advisor? Did you work
for several summers at a camp? We are looking for someone who is friendly and
approachable, who maintains appropriate boundaries with teens, and who has
strong moral character and good judgment.
College graduate preferred, but not required.
If interested, please contact Rabbi Dalton ([email protected]) with CV/resume
and cover letter.