Associate, Jewish Communal Engagement

Position Title: Associate or Senior Associate, Jewish Communal Engagement (Level Dependent on Experience)
Reports to: National Director of Communal Relations
Start Date: July 2024
Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Location: New York, NY

Do you want to work in an exciting, fast-paced, mission-driven organization? Are you interested in joining an organization that is changing the way people think and talk about Israel and U.S. Middle East policy in the Jewish community? Our Communal Relations team is looking for someone to help bring our national work down to the local level. If you have strong organizing and relationship-building experience, the ability to motivate J Street’s volunteer leaders, and a strong knowledge of the American Jewish community, this role is perfect for you.

Apply today to help expand J Street’s national communal strategy to local communities in New York.

Responsibilities
The Associate, Jewish Communal Engagement will be the inaugural member of the Communal Relations team at the local level responsible for engaging J Street leadership and clergy in our relationships with synagogues and other local Jewish institutions and organizations. The Associate, Jewish Communal Engagement works with J Street leaders to build relationships with, educate and promote our priorities to Jewish communal leaders and organizations. 

Specific responsibilities include:

• Recruiting, cultivating and deepening a local network of J Street Synagogue Liaisons, working with them to implement programming in their communities
• Identifying J Street leaders with ties to key Jewish institutions and organizing into communal advocacy committees to encourage closer policy alignment with J Street and strengthen our communal footprint
• Identifying and regularly engaging leaders within the local Jewish community, keeping them apprised of J Street positioning and activity
• Recruiting local clergy and seminary students to the J Street Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet and partnering with existing Cabinet members to provide clergy engagement opportunities
• Processing and facilitating incoming event requests for the J Street Speakers Bureau
• Assisting and supporting the Communal Relations department with other projects as needed–such as data management, virtual and in-person events, and resource and material production

Required Qualifications

• A strong commitment to J Street’s mission, including: support for a secure, Jewish and democratic future for Israel, and advocating an active US leadership role to help end the Israeli occupation and achieve a two-state solution
• Strong familiarity with the Jewish institutional landscape and basic Jewish literacy
• At least 2 years of relevant experience with the Jewish community

Desired Skills and Characteristics

• Experience with issue advocacy, volunteer management, and/or political organizing
• Detail-oriented, able to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently, all in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work across departments within the organization and with a variety of supporters and leaders
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• A big picture strategist with an eye and affection for the details
• Highly motivated and ambitious
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and presence, discretion and mature judgment
• A great teammate who is committed to contributing to, building on and amplifying the successes of those around them
• Understanding of and fluency in the policy issues on which the organization works: foreign policy, the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

About J Street
J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans to promote US policies that align with Jewish and democratic values, that help secure the State of Israel as a just, democratic homeland for the Jewish people, and that advance freedom, safety and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

J Street focuses its work in three main areas: (1) Advocating and demonstrating support for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy policies in Congress, the media and the Jewish community; (2) Endorsing and raising money for federal candidates who share J Street’s agenda; and (3) Educating the public and raising awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the two-state solution.

Compensation
This is a full-time non-exempt position, with occasional work outside traditional work hours on an as-needed basis. The salary is $52,500-$60,000. Per J Street's Collective Bargaining Agreement, pay and title are commensurate with experience and according to pay bands outlined in our CBA.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes unlimited personal time off, sick leave, generous parental and family leave, paid time off on many federal and Jewish holidays, health and dental insurance, company-paid life insurance, a 401k program including an employer match, commuter benefits, and a flexible spending account.

J Street recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in J Street’s bargaining unit and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Physical Requirements
There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. J Street will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. There is potentially some travel associated with the role but this can be discussed if the physical demands of travel would prevent someone from applying.

To Apply
We are excited to receive applications from a broad range of applicants as we grow our organization to better reflect the diversity of the communities that care about our mission. Please submit the items listed below:

1. Resume
2. Provide a detailed response to the three questions below 
3. List of Three References and their contact information

Applications are being accepted now, and the position will be filled as quickly as possible.

At J Street we value an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse workplace. We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to understanding and valuing each other’s perspectives at all levels of the organization thereby creating a culture that allows us to better serve our employees, and the communities we work with. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. This policy applies with regard to all aspects of one’s employment and fellowship, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.