Youth Engagement Coordinator/ CLASP Fellow

Youth Engagement Coordinator/CLASP Fellow

The Community Synagogue, a vibrant 850 household Reform congregation in Port Washington, NY is searching for an outgoing, dynamic, energetic individual to serve as the Youth Engagement Coordinator /CLASP Fellow.  This full-time position can be broken into two main components. During the 9.5 months of the school year, applicant is responsible for implementing social, cultural, religious and experiential educational programming for students in our elementary grades with a focus on our teens in grades 6 – 12. During the 2.5 summer months, applicant serve on the leadership team at either URJ Eisner or Crane Lake Camp. We also have the option to apply for just the YEC position and not the CLASP Fellowship which would be a 10 month position with the summer off*.

Objective of Youth Coordinator:

• To grow our informal youth program to entice the Jewish youth and teenagers in our community to feel connected to the synagogue and to engage in activities that will enhance their Jewish life.  

• To provide our youth with the opportunity to engage in meaningful, social activities with their peers in an environment that is grounded in Jewish life.

• To participate in our education programs, Religious School & Teen Education, to foster a greater sense of connection not only amongst the students themselves, but a greater connection between the students and the Youth Engagement Coordinator.

• To help develop leadership qualities in youth by encouraging active student leaders to play an integral part in the planning and implementation of events. 

• To increase in number and scope the pathways to engagement for our teens.

• To help foster joyful early connections to Jewish camp, community, and synagogue life through meaningful engagement with younger students and families and support the continued growth of “camp culture” at our congregation.

Responsibilities include:

Youth Engagement Program Creation & Calendar

• Create, oversee and administer all aspects of youth programming including creation of annual calendar of dynamic programs and activities in collaboration with Assistant Director of Education. Programs would include community service projects, social events, targeted trips and more.
• Seek out new avenues to engage our teens and create opportunities based on needs that arise.
• Help plan and attend our youth engagement immersive overnights and trips.

Administration of Youth Engagement Programs

• Oversee logistics and administration for youth programming including staffing, registration, transportation, promotion, and event coordination.
• Supervise and facilitate all such programs.

Teach

• Teach in our Teen Tuesday Program.
• Teach 1-2 classes in our Religious School Grades 1-6.
• Participate actively in Religious School life through teaching, special programs, and relationship-building with students and families.

Camp & Early Engagement

• Help bring elements of camp culture into the synagogue and Religious School life in authentic and relationship-based ways.
• Create informal engagement opportunities with students in Grades K–5 to build relationships and foster excitement around Jewish community and camp experiences.
• Partner with clergy, educators, and camp staff to support age-appropriate camp engagement initiatives throughout the year.
• Serve as representative of URJ camp life within the congregation and school community.

Youth Liaison to The Community Synagogue

• Help to lead and coordinate family oriented congregational events and programs such as Purim Carnival, special Family Shabbat Services, youth elements of Mitzvah Day, etc.

Outreach

• Build meaningful relationships with youth and families through ongoing outreach, informal connection points, and engagement both within and beyond the synagogue walls.

Publicity & Social Media

• Ensure all events are published and publicized to students and parents via temple calendar, Instagram, E-mail, Texting, Elite, flyers, etc.
• Maintain and update, in partnership with our Communications staff, youth content of TCS website.

CLASP Fellow @ Camp:

• Serve on leadership team of either URJ Eisner or Crane Lake Camp.
• Take part in monthly CLASP Fellow cohort and camp leadership meetings.
• Attend and staff 4 engagements weekends at camp.

Qualifications & Education

What you’ll bring:

• Passion for building meaningful relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Leadership skills and capacity to serve as a positive role model
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage collaborative programs and initiatives
• Strong planning and organizational skills, attention to detail, flexibility and adaptability.
• Excitement to spend your summer at one of the URJ Northeast Summer Camps.
• Proficiency in utilizing social media and technology for engagement and collaboration.
• Bachelor’s Degree, degrees in Education or Jewish Studies a plus
• Ability to have a flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends.

What you'll get:

• Great professional development, mentoring, and skill building.
• A passionate, creative and dynamic team working together to support you.
• The opportunity to have a significant impact on the youth at The Community Synagogue and URJ Northeast Camps.
• A fun summer at camp!

*Note - Our Youth Engagement Coordinator job is being offered as both a full-time 12 month position which includes the summer at a URJ Camp or as a full-time 10 month position which does not include work in July & August. The listed salary is for the 12 month position and will be adjusted for a 10 month option.

To apply, please send resume to Shari Isserles, Director of Congregational Education - [email protected].