Moriah Congregation is a warm, vibrant, multigenerational community committed to traditional Jewish life and an unwavering love for Israel.  Our membership of 300 households and our educational staff engage children as full participants in the life of the congregation. Moriah Congregation is home to Moriah ECC (Early Childhood Center), which is a thriving preschool and daycare center for children ages 6 weeks through pre-kindergartners.

Located in Deerfield, IL, our congregation is situated in the midst of a family-friendly neighborhood where many of our congregants live. Moriah is part of the robust North Shore Jewish community, where there is a large presence of Jewish life and educational opportunities, in the context of the greater Chicagoland area with its flourishing, diverse Jewish and civic culture. 

Families choose to be a part of Moriah because of its balance of traditional Judaism with modernity, and because of its warm and engaged community.

 Moriah’s religious school is a reflection of the community’s core values and our greatest hopes for our children. The school is at an exciting, pivotal moment, as we are re-evaluating our existing assumptions of what is possible for a religious school structure, and introducing the most cutting-edge educational philosophies and practices.

We are looking for a Director who can design and bring to life a new iteration of our school. We endeavor to weave our religious school even more fully into the fabric of the larger Moriah community, creating aligned and interconnected family programming. It’s a unique opportunity to have a profound and lasting impact on a generation of Jewish children and families, and on how an entire community embraces them.

During this transitional time, we have engaged the Institute for Jewish Enrichment as our consultants in this reimagining process. IJE is widely known as the premier educational institution devoted to partnering with children in text-rich, creative, joyful Jewish learning. With the IJE, you’ll be working – and learning – at the forefront of Jewish children’s education today. 

      …for a Great Match

This is an exciting leadership opportunity. We are looking for someone who:

• Thinks deeply and listens with an open mind, developing strong relationships with people to build trust and gain insights about community needs

• Can engage children of all ages, believes children are capable of being active collaborators in their learning

• Enjoys trying new approaches, experimenting, and reflecting to constantly make improvements

• High expectations for self and their work while maintaining sustainable work practices

• Brings curiosity and openness to educational design, without being tied to long-standing models of Jewish education

• Thoughtful and organized planning and follow-through

• Willingness to ask for support and collaborate

• Alignment with Moriah's vision for a bold, welcoming, traditional Judaism in the modern world

      The Position

The Director of Education is a full-time senior educator at Moriah, reporting to the rabbi. This position requires presence on Shabbat and holidays, as well as evenings and weekends, as needed. The hours are flexible outside of prescribed programming times.

 Key Responsibilities:

Religious School: 

• Oversee all aspects of Moriah’s Religious School, including hiring and supervising teachers and Ozrim (teen assistants) 

• Design and implement the Religious School curriculum and special programs

• Develop and oversee the Religious School budget and the youth programming budget in partnership with the Operations Director

• Maintain enrollment records, attendance systems, and family communication for the Religious School

Community-Wide Youth and Family Programming:

• Collaborate with ECC (Early Childhood Center) staff, office staff, and lay leaders to coordinate family programming and engagement for the wider Moriah community, in coordination with the Religious School

• Manage weekly Shabbat youth offerings, supervise Shabbat teen leaders and volunteers

• Design and implement High Holiday youth programming and services

Other Staff Supervision and Partnerships:

• Hire and supervise a new Youth Director to assist with family and teen programming

• Serve as the primary interface with the USY staff representative

• Maintain strong relationships with the Religious School Parent Committee and other relevant lay leaders

• Work closely with the facilities team to ensure that classrooms and shared spaces are safe, organized, and well-maintained

     Resources Devoted to Your Success

This is a leadership role for someone excited to help shape and bring to life a new vision for Jewish learning at Moriah. The Director of Education will work closely with clergy, families, educators, and children to design and implement an approach that reflects Moriah’s values and responds to the lived experience of our community.

In order to set you up for success, you will be guided and mentored by your supervisor, Rabba Finegold, and supported by a committee of lay leaders who will be your partners in the work ahead. 

This is also an extraordinary opportunity to work directly with experienced IJE leaders from the moment of hire through the entire upcoming school year (5787), to design the practices of the reimagined school, hone your own educational practice, and set up professional learning with Moriah educators.

    Qualifications 

• Significant Jewish knowledge, including experience with our Jewish textual tradition; proficiency in Hebrew and Tefillah

• Strong foundation in traditional Jewish practice. Appreciation and knowledge of a diversity of Jewish religious experiences. 

• Demonstrated experience in Jewish educational settings, such as school, camp, or synagogue education; classroom experience is desirable

• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, Canva, and other technology and digital learning tools

• Master's or equivalent degree desirable

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

• A self-starter who has the ability to work independently and on a team.

 This is a role where you are both being mentored and also asked to lead change. We are seeking someone who possesses a balance of humility and courage.

 We encourage applications from all interested candidates, even if you are uncertain whether your qualifications align perfectly with the outlined criteria. We are not looking for the perfect person, but rather looking for the right match. Please submit your application materials; we welcome the opportunity to learn more about you.

   Compensation

Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

Salary: $80,000+ 

Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick days, holidays)

• Health insurance available

• Funds for professional development and conference attendance

Please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. 

Moriah Congregation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.