Lower School Jewish Life Coordinator (PT)

About CESJDS
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS) is a pluralistic, independent Jewish day school located in Rockville, Maryland, serving students from Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade. CESJDS is dedicated to nurturing a love of learning, a commitment to Jewish values and tradition, and a deep sense of community. The Lower School (JK–5) offers a warm, inclusive, and dynamic environment that celebrates the diversity of the Jewish people and the joy of Jewish living.

Position Overview
The Lower School is seeking a Part-Time Jewish Life Coordinator to enhance and support the Jewish life and culture of the division. This individual will play a key role in shaping joyful, engaging, and meaningful Jewish experiences for our students, faculty, and families. The Jewish Life Coordinator serves as a visible Jewish role model and partner in creating a vibrant Jewish environment grounded in CESJDS’s commitment to pluralism.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership in Community Gatherings
   
  • Collaborate with other faculty and take a leadership role in Whole School Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations.
  • Take a leadership role in school-wide Jewish holiday assemblies and commemorations (e.g., Chanukah, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom HaShoah, etc.).
     
• Teaching and Curriculum Support
   
  • Deliver brief, engaging lessons in classrooms on Jewish holidays, Parshat HaShavua, and other areas of Jewish life.
  • Collaborate with teachers and administrators to integrate Jewish learning into daily school life.
     
• Student and Community Engagement
   
  • Be a warm and accessible Jewish presence for students, faculty, and families.
  • Support students' participation in Jewish milestone events (e.g., siddur and chumash ceremonies) and, where appropriate, offer words of Torah or blessing along with the Lower School Principal.
  • Support Jewish identity development across grade levels in age-appropriate, inclusive ways.
     
• Faculty and Family Engagement
   
  • Serve as a resource and mentor for teachers on Jewish content and practices.
  • Occasionally lead Jewish learning experiences for faculty and/or parents. 

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Deep knowledge of and love for Jewish tradition, holidays, and Torah.
• Passion for working with elementary-aged children in a pluralistic Jewish setting.
• Comfort leading joyful, meaningful, and inclusive Jewish rituals and gatherings.
• Ability to collaborate with educators and administrators across disciplines.
• Warm, engaging personality and strong communication skills.
• Prior experience in Jewish education, youth work, or clergy roles preferred.
   

Key Goals for the Position:

• Serve as a visible Jewish presence and role model for all Lower School stakeholders.
• Support the joyful, inclusive, and integrated Jewish life of the Lower School.
• Embody and convey the values of pluralistic Jewish education for students, faculty, and families.
   

Position Details

• Part-Time: Approximately 15 - 18 hours per week, with flexibility based on the school calendar and event schedule.
• Reports to: Lower School Principal
• Start Date: Fall 2025
   

To apply or learn more about this opportunity, please visit CESJDS’s Career Page at: www.cesjds.org/about/work-at-cesjds

Work Environment

In accordance with the School's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, the School has adopted a mandatory Vaccination Policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families and the community at large from infectious diseases such as the flu, which may be reduced by an annual vaccination. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities, as applicable.

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.