Director, Early Childhood Education
Congregation Beth El – South Orange, NJ
Congregation Beth El, a vibrant, progressive Conservative synagogue in the heart of South Orange, NJ, seeks a visionary, inspiring and collaborative Director of Early Childhood Education to lead our beloved play-based Thelma K. Reisman (TKR) Preschool and deepen engagement with young children and families throughout our growing community.
We are searching for an experienced educator who brings warmth, creativity, Jewish passion, and strategic leadership. The ideal candidate is committed to helping families find joyful entry points into Jewish life and strengthening community.
This role reports directly into our Clergy and works closely with our Executive Director.
About Our Preschool
The Thelma K. Reisman Preschool provides a warm, nurturing, inclusive Jewish environment where children ages 18 months to 5 years can thrive.
Highlights include:
- A comprehensive and flexible program with both part-day and full-day options
- A deeply connected and welcoming parent community
- Integration of Jewish values, holidays, Hebrew, and Torah learning into a robust, developmentally-appropriate curriculum
- Year-round operation serving ~70-80 throughout the school year and summer camp
- A dedicated professional staff, including an Assistant Director
Our school community reflects diverse backgrounds. Approximately 60% of families in our Jewish early childhood program are Beth El members, and the remaining families come from a range of faith traditions. In addition, in partnership with the local school district, our school hosts and manages three public pre-K classrooms, which significantly expands the number of non–Beth El families on campus.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Vision
- Partner with the Clergy, Assistant Director and Education Director (K-12) to continue elevating the preschool program and strengthening its Jewish identity.
- Build a culture of excellence in early childhood education and family engagement across the synagogue.
Curriculum Leadership
- Design, implement, and oversee a creative, developmentally appropriate curriculum rooted in best practices
- Ensure Jewish content is meaningfully woven into daily learning through values, rituals, holidays, stories, Hebrew, and experiences.
Educational Leadership and Mentorship
- Provide professional development, coaching, classroom observation, and mentorship for teachers.
- Support pedagogical excellence, Jewish learning, and reflective teaching practices.
- Lead the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of outstanding educators.
- Supervise the Assistant Director
Recruitment, Marketing and Community Building
- Bring a creative, expansive vision for how to attract and engage young families.
- Conduct proactive outreach to Beth El families and the broader local community.
- Build relationships with Beth El members, current and prospective parents of TKR students, through coffees, newsletters, and regular touchpoints.
- Provide transparent communication with caregivers, cultivating trust and partnership.
Family and Community Engagement
- Serve as the primary relationship-builder for young families at Beth El, building pathways that connect young families with each other and with synagogue life.
- Responsible for designing, supervising and/or facilitating Early Childhood and Young Family programs, connecting the Preschool to the broader synagogue community. Recruit and manage program staff as necessary. Programs include:
- Mini Minyan on Shabbat and holidays
- High Holiday young family services (0–Pre-K) and coordination of childcare
- Young Family Friday night services and Havdalah gatherings
- Baby/toddler parent groups that serve as gateways into the preschool community
Operational Oversight
- Oversee all aspects of daily school operations, including staffing, communication, scheduling, enrollment, budgeting, safety, licensing compliance for both public and private preschool programs, as well as summer camp.
- Lead licensing processes and ensure adherence to state standards.
- Oversee operational planning, staffing, logistics and communication for all Young Family programs, including Shabbat/holiday services, family events, childcare coordination, and community-building initiatives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 5+ years of early childhood experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role
- Deep knowledge of child development and early childhood best practices
- Proven success in team leadership, staff development, and family engagement
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of licensing and accreditation requirements
- Budget and operational management experience
- Strong connection to Jewish values and community, with an inclusive approach
- CPR/First Aid and Director Certification (or willingness to obtain)
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary range for this position is $95K - $115K; commensurate with experience
- Health Insurance
- Complimentary synagogue membership
- Generous tuition benefits including free preschool and/or religious school for children
- Paid time off and family-friendly work environment
- Professional development funding
- Relocation compensation
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above.
Equal Opportunity Employment: Congregation Beth El is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in recognition of its values, commitment to social justice, and responsibility to its spiritual leaders and staff, congregants, and the communities within which it lives and works. It strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, veterans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
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To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]
The cover letter should answer the following:
- Why are you interested in this role?
- What are your top three professional strengths? Please provide an example for each.