Anshe Sholom Program Director - Full Time
Responsibilities and Position Overview
Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation (ASBI) is a vibrant Modern Orthodox synagogue in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Program Director to support and help animate our institution into its next chapter. This role offers the unique opportunity to have a transformative impact on educational, communal, and social programming across the age spectrum.
Who we are: We are a welcoming and diverse Jewish community, committed to Jewish law and practices, intellectual pursuit, religious engagement and personal growth. The nearly 300 members/families comprise undergraduate and graduate students, young singles and families, and long time residents of all ages.
Who You Are: You are a creative and ambitious professional who brings vision, organization, and dedication to the work that you do. You are a people person and able to connect with a wide variety of ages and demographics, whether its young families during tot-Shabbat, teen leaders in our Shabbat morning groups, young adults or long-time members. You have excellent interpersonal skills and strong organizational skills as you work with the Executive Director, Rabbi, key lay-leaders and other ASBI staff to offer a dynamic menu of programs to ASBI’s diverse membership.
Qualifications
Required:
- Excellent organizational and project management skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience planning and executing programs, events, or educational initiatives
- Ability to work with diverse age groups, including children, teens, families, and adults
- Availability to work evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays as needed
- Familiarity with Jewish communal life and synagogue culture
Preferred:
- Experience in youth engagement, Jewish education, camp programming, or synagogue programming
- Experience working in a Modern Orthodox community
- Hebrew/Jewish literacy a plus
- Experience managing budgets, vendors, and event logistics
- Experience with email marketing, newsletters, and social media communications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
Core Responsibilities
The core responsibilities of this role include leading ASBI’s Youth and Family Programming (55%), offering B’nai Mitzvah Support to ASBI families (5%) and supporting ASBI adult programming (40%). This would include both supporting existing programming and creating new programming across both key spheres. The Program Director reports to the Executive Director and works in close collaboration with the Rabbi.
Youth and Family Programming
High Holiday Programming / Camp Shana Tova (July-September only)
- Create schedule of youth programming for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
- Recruit and assign teen leaders, hire outside staff, and vendors as needed
- Coordinate parent volunteers
- Develop educational programming
- Oversee day-of programming and maintain contingency plans in place in case staff/volunteers do not show to ensure coverage
Ongoing Family Programming
- Oversee and direct family programming (tots through teens) ranging from special outings to Shabbat meals to hangouts, with a target of one event per age group per month. Programming can combine educational and social events, and should include relevant holiday programming (e.g. ASBI Chanukah party)
- Liaise with lay leaders as well as part-time youth staff
- Oversee publicity and recruitment to promote robust attendance at family programs.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Family Committee to assess programming and events.
- Create communications (including weekly email newsletter) regarding family and youth programming.
Shabbat Morning Groups
- Plan and develop curriculum for Shabbat (and holiday) tefillah groups for ASBI youth (tots through teens)
- Hire, supervise, coordinate and evaluate teen staff
- Coordinate day-of logistics for all groups and youth programs, including food, security and roster of staff
B’nai Mitzvah Coordination
- Connect with families in the pre-b’nai mitzvah stage (3rd/4th grade) to help introduce families to the process of scheduling and planning b’nai mitzvah
- Collaborate with local synagogues to minimize scheduling conflicts within the community.
- Help connect families with the appropriate community leader to ensure that religious and logistic aspects of b’nai mitzvah run smoothly (e.g., meeting to talk through logistics and honors).
- Create and maintain a list of b’nai mitzvah tutors for families
Adult ASBI Programming
The Program Director is charged with supporting ASBI’s existing programming and its corresponding lay leaders and will identify, develop, and launch new programmatic initiatives that respond to emerging community needs and opportunities.
Programming Support
- Work with existing ASBI committees to support existing programming, including:
- Educational Committee (Scholars-in-Residence, Community Scholars Series)
- 20s and 30s (Shabbat dinners, Torah on Tap, Thursday night Mishmar)
- Israel Committee (Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Shabbat)
- Program & Event Support: Provide logistical support for synagogue programs and events, ensuring proactive communication, smooth coordination, and a welcoming environment.
- Lay Leader Engagement: Maintain regular contact with lay leaders to ensure they feel supported and empowered in their roles.
- Operational Coordination: Ensure necessary supplies are ordered and coordinated with the synagogue office in a timely manner.
- Event Creation: Work with different lay leaders and Shul committees to develop and create new programming.
General Programming Execution
- Program Development: Conceptualize and design new programs aligned with ASBI’s mission and community interests.
- Pilot & Evaluation: Launch pilot initiatives, gather feedback, and refine programming for long-term sustainability.
- Collaboration: Partner with clergy, staff, and lay leaders to build participation and ensure successful implementation.
Identify and Plan New Programming
- Shabbat Experiences (e.g., Shabbat dinners and hospitality initiatives)
- Teen Programming (e.g. monthly teen minyan)
- Women’s Programming (e.g., Rosh Chodesh gatherings, women’s tefilah, mikvah-related learning and engagement)
- Israel Education
- Service Learning and Chesed
Compensation
The salary for this position is $50,000 or commensurate with experience.