Religious School Director

Religious School Director

Vassar Temple, a Reform congregation of approximately 180 households in Poughkeepsie, NY seeks a Religious School Director to oversee our intimate, vibrant school as of the 2022-23 academic year.   We seek someone whose love of Judaism and children will mirror Vassar Temple’s warm and welcoming culture.  The position is 8-10 hours per week.  Flexible weekday hours, Sunday mornings required and occasional Shabbat services.

Responsibilities / Tasks

The Religious School Director will oversee all aspects of the Seth A. Erlebacher Religious School: Sunday morning Religious School and mid-week Hebrew (the Hebrew program is currently taught online).  Both programs use the Shalomlearning curriculum.

Major responsibilities include:

• Curriculum: ongoing review of curriculum, suggesting changes and additions as needed to support the mission of our religious school and the needs of teachers and students

• Training and Supervision of Teachers: hiring teachers as needed, providing ongoing feedback and coaching through individual and faculty meetings.

• Communication with Parents: maintaining regular communication with parents as a whole and with individual parents as the needs arise.

• Madrichim (Teen Teaching Assistants): Hiring and supervising madrichim, making class assignments, giving feedback.

• Family Education and Enrichment Programs: Work with the teachers and Religious School Committee to create and coordinate family education programs to enrich the learning of students.

• Overall Administration of the School: planning the annual calendar, budgeting, ordering supplies, working with temple staff, staffing Religious School Committee, writing monthly bulletin column, posting activities on social media, creating/updating handbooks; tracking student attendance and progress.

Required Skills:

• Bachelors required; Masters preferred
• Basic Judaic knowledge, through formal or informal education
• 3-5 years teaching or in the field of education
• Strong communication, management, and executive function skills.
• Ability to relate well to children and adults
• Adept with technology and the knowledge to incorporate technology in the learning environment.
• A desire to innovate and the ability to implement change in an effective manner to achieve the goals of the congregation.
• Knowledge of Hebrew preferred
• Understanding of Reform Judaism preferred

This ad is not all-encompassing of the job description or responsibilities. 

If interested, email your resume to [email protected]