Director, New York Education Initiative
The Jewish Education Project
New York, NY
Opportunity for Impact
The Jewish Education Project is devoted to ensuring that Jewish education is in tune with the forces that impact our world and our communities in a changing environment. We believe that in a rapidly changing world, Jewish education must continually evolve to meet the needs of the Jewish community. The power of harnessing knowledge and curating ideas to inspire the various stakeholders who influence Jewish education is a vital component of this work.
We are committed to bringing the most creative solutions to a field that must remain relevant and meaningful in the lives of Jewish youth and their families today and tomorrow. For more information about The Jewish Education Project, please visit www.jewishedproject.org
Position Overview
The Jewish Education Project welcomes a full-time Director, New York Education Initiative to serve as the lead connector and implementer of learning experiences in the New York City area public, private, and parochial schools with the goal of creating and facilitating opportunities for administrators, teachers, students, and parents to learn about Jews, Judaism, and Israel. The New York Education Initiative aims to utilize partnerships, pedagogy, and best practices in education and community building to respond to the uptick in antisemitism in schools and nationwide, thereby ensuring that schools are inclusive and safe environments for Jewish learners, where accurate, inclusive information about Jews, Judaism, and Israel, is taught.
Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, the Director will lead a coalition of partners in creating and implementing education-related strategies that both amplify the voice of the Jewish community and create a safe and inclusive environment for learners in K-12 schools in the New York area. The Director will advance this work with an eye towards growth and exponential impact as it grows to include touchpoints in more schools and districts.
The Director is a senior professional who brings leadership skills and experience with strategic planning, decision-making, and relationship building, along with a determined and hungry attitude to create change. The Director is a self-starter who possesses content knowledge of educational resources about teaching Jews, Israel and antisemitism, and familiarity with NYCPS is preferred.
Key Responsibilities
- Build and maintain relationships with educational content and advocacy organizations comprising the NYEI Coalition; identify shared advocacy concerns, share information, resources, and collaboratively strategize on issues of key concern within public and independent non-Jewish private schools.
- Lead strategic collaboration and action on issues of concern within public and independent non-Jewish private schools.
- Build and maintain relationships with school, district, city, and state education leaders to advance the goals of the New York Education Initiative.
- Develop the necessary infrastructure to mobilize groups of parents and other stakeholders to proactively engage the schools and to respond to education-related challenges.
- Work with organizational leadership to develop a multi-year vision and strategy for the New York Education Initiative.
- Respond to antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents in schools by offering and referring customized consultations and educational solutions.
- Work collaboratively with The Jewish Education Project team and Coalition partners to identify and develop resources and innovate strategies targeted at gaps in the field.
- Document NYEI work including Coalition professional development and curriculum in schools; collect data, and track consultations with field.
- Coordinate grant reporting efforts alongside the Director, Institutional Advancement.
- Serve as spokesperson and advocate for inclusive models of education that are representative of Jews, Judaism, Israel, and Jewish history.
- Support education systems in creating a welcoming, responsive, and inclusive culture and environment for Jewish students and staff members.
- Cultivate new learning and leadership opportunities under the auspices of the New York Education Initiative.
- Supervise the NY Education Initiative as the team grows.
- Lead and/or collaborate on other educational initiatives/programs as needed.
- Other activities related to this realm of work or agency wide events (such as staffing the annual Benefit) as required by The Jewish Education Project.
Experience, Qualifications, and Competencies
- Candidates with diverse cultural, educational, and experiential backgrounds are urged to apply.
- 10+ years of experience that demonstrate a track record of strategic leadership, relationship-building, and project management.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain robust relationships with a wide variety of people.
- Self-directed problem solver with ability to plan and prioritize.
- Knowledge of landscape of K-12 antisemitism education, Israel education, and Jewish identity education.
- Familiarity with New York City Public Schools, preferred.
- A persuasive and passionate communicator, both written and oral.
What We Offer
- Salary in the range of $125,000 - $135,000 depending upon experience.
- Three weeks paid time off in year 1; increasing incrementally on a set schedule.
- Paid Family Leave.
- Comprehensive health insurance.
- 401k plan.
- Commuter benefits.
- Early close on Fridays for Shabbat and closed for most Jewish holidays.
- Shortened summer hours.
How to Apply
- Please submit resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include the job title in the email subject line
- The Jewish Education Project is an equal opportunity employer.
Where You Will Work
Hybrid work environment with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 520 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018.
The Jewish Education Project aims to select, place and train the best qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all our employees in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected class. We encourage and support diversity and tolerance in our workplace.