B'nai Mitzvah Program Specialist (FT)

Larchmont Temple is a warm, vibrant, and inclusive Reform synagogue of approximately 850 families in Larchmont, NY (about a ½ hour from New York City in Westchester County) dedicated to covenantal and innovative Jewish learning, social action, and spiritual engagement. We seek a full-time, on-site B’nai Mitzvah Program Specialist to enhance the B’nai Mitzvah experience for our learners and families. Serving as a programmatic liaison, this key educational team member will shepherd learners and families throughout the process and help in delivering Jewish educational experiences to our middle school and older elementary school population and their families. 

Job Description

Work in partnership with our Cantor and administrative team to be a programmatic addition and a guide (moreh derech) for our learners and families. This position, which reports to our Cantor, includes but is not limited to:

1. Serving as a guide as learners choose a B’nai Mitzvah pathway and engage in the B’nai Mitzvah process
2. Helping with the content of the experience:
3. Developing the “mitzvah” aspect of B’nai Mitzvah to include service-learning opportunities and building relationships with organization
4. Assisting learners to write D’rashot (Torah Teaching/D’var Torah)
5. Serve as a 1:3 Hebrew tutor for Grade 7 learners on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays
6. Updating the clergy regarding learner progress and providing support as needed to enable the clergy to meaningfully engage and develop relationships with the learners throughout the B’nai Mitzvah process.
7. Coordinating the program for the fall family retreat to introduce the B’nai Mitzvah “Journey of Becoming”
8. Support families who require individualized outreach and engagement, i.e. those who cannot attend the Journey of Becoming class, Grade 6 Family Retreat, and other situations
9. Creating, in partnership with the KESHER (Larchmont Temple’s religious school) Team, new opportunities to better integrate B’nai Mitzvah preparation into KESHER Jewish, Tefillah and Hebrew prayer learning
10. Serving as a B’nai Mitzvah tutor to a group of learners
11. Teaching:
    1. Serve as a Grade 6 or 7 educator in our Tuesday KESHER program
    2. Serve as an educator in our Wednesday Grade 4 & 5 Program
    3. Serve on 4th & 5th Retreat Team
    4. Engage and support students who are unable to attend the regularly scheduled weekly group program
    5. Serve as a member of the Education Team
12. Assist the Cantor in B’nai Mitzvah program redevelopment and program implementation, and participate on the B’nai Mitzvah Task Force

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Experience with middle schoolers
• Strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability with Hebrew prayer book reading (e.g., Mishkan T’filah)
• Writing and coaching skills
• Demonstrated ability with Torah and Binder Trope
• Networking skills
• Use software tools to aid in the organizational and communications process

This is a full time, non-exempt, year-round position to begin on or around July 15, 2024.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Cantor Katie Oringel [email protected].