KHSZ Children’s Service Leaders (High Holidays-Only or Year-Round)

Kehilat Hadar Shaare Zedek (KHSZ) seeks dynamic and dedicated educators to design and lead children’s services for multiple age groups on High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur), Saturday mornings, and additional holidays throughout the year. We welcome applicants seeking High Holiday-only roles or year-round roles.

This role can be held by a single leader or split among multiple educators depending on interest, experience, and availability.

About KHSZ

Kehilat Hadar Shaare Zedek is an independent, traditional, egalitarian synagogue on Manhattan's Upper West Side. We're a long-standing lay-led community meeting in a new space on W. 93rd Street. You can learn more about us at khsz.org.

Role & Flexible Options

KHSZ has an ever-growing number of families with young children. To support our younger community members, we are hiring educators to lead distinct half-hour services for two age groups: Ages 4–6 and Ages 7–11.

The primary goal is to increase children's comfort and familiarity with the structure and content of traditional tefillah through engaging prayer, singing, and age-appropriate learning.

Applicants may apply for any combination of schedule and age group:

• Schedule Options: High Holidays only | Shabbat & year-round holidays only | All service dates
• Age Options: Ages 4–6 only | Ages 7–11 only | Both age groups 
  
  

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead engaging half-hour services for the assigned age group(s), integrating parashah or holiday-relevant themes into a consistent tefillah structure.
• Support family engagement and foster a welcoming, inclusive environment for children and parents.
  
  

Schedule & Hours

• Service Times: 10:30–11:00 AM and/or 11:00–11:30 AM
• High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah (Days 1 & 2) and Yom Kippur morning
• Shabbat: Saturday mornings year-round (preference for candidates available for at least 40 Shabbatot per year)
• Additional Holidays: Occasional services to be arranged in advance
  
  

Qualifications 

• Experience leading youth tefilah, teaching in Jewish settings, and/or working in Jewish summer camps
• Knowledge of traditional Shabbat and holiday prayer and ability to teach tefillah and Torah content in an accessible way.
• Understanding of child development for the relevant age group(s)
• Classroom management skills for groups with diverse learning needs
• Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Availability matching your desired schedule (High Holidays and/or year-round Shabbat and holidays)
  
  

Compensation & Application

• Pay: $75–100 per half-hour service led (inclusive of prep time), commensurate with experience. Leading both age groups on a single morning pays $150–200.
• To Apply: Send your resume and a brief cover letter indicating your preferred schedule (High Holidays, Year-Round, or both) and age group preference (4–6, 7–11, or both) to [email protected].