Who We Are:
NCSY, a program of the Orthodox Union, connects with Jewish teens through innovative, cutting-edge social and recreational programs to develop a positive Jewish identity. NCSY inspires Jewish teens through informal Jewish education, retreats and summer programs. NCSY empowers teens through leadership development and guidance to become passionately committed leaders of the Jewish community and instruments for positive change and renewal.
The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled U symbol, ?, is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products.
Position Summary:
A successful and expanding youth organization is seeking a full-time professional for programming in the MetroWest, NJ area. Areas of responsibility include teen recruitment, programming, and facilitating program growth. Qualified candidates will have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, experience in teen engagement, and the ability to develop and successfully implement creative programming within the broader Jewish community. The selected candidate must live in the MetroWest area.
The MW JSU Director is responsible for launching, growing, and deepening Jewish Student Union (JSU) programming across public and secular high schools. Through vibrant Jewish experiences, authentic mentorship, and strategic outreach, the Director empowers Jewish teens to explore their identity, grow as leaders, and strengthen their connection to Jewish life.
This is a unique role that blends educational leadership and relational strategy. The ideal candidate is a dynamic Jewish educator, deeply passionate about teens, and energized by the challenge of building something lasting. JSU clubs serve as an entryway to Jewish identity, and the MW JSU Director helps students engage with their heritage with confidence and curiosity. In this role, the Director is expected to serve as a Jewish role model and lifelong learner, inspiring students through both personal example and meaningful content. They are also responsible for ensuring a safe, welcoming, and mission-aligned program environment, in accordance with OU/NCSY policies and values.
Key Responsibilities:
Clubs & School Engagement
- Launch and/or lead JSU clubs across multiple public and secular high schools
- Deliver relevant, thought-provoking Jewish content that sparks curiosity and conversation
- Build and maintain strong relationships with school staff to ensure long-term access and impact
- Partner with the regional and national teams to identify and pursue strategic expansion opportunities
- Create and run JSU clubs and out-of-school JSU programming for teens in 6-10 Public Schools.
- Further levels of teen involvement among JSUers and prospects through regular correspondence and in-person, phone, or social media contacts, alone and in conjunction with regional and advisory staff.
Teen Engagement & Relationship-Building
- Build safe, healthy, trusting, ongoing relationships with Jewish teens from diverse backgrounds
- Serve as a role model through authentic, Torah-driven mentorship
- Facilitate Jewish learning that sparks identity exploration and personal growth
- Facilitate and engage teens through existing JSU programs including: FNLs, Latte and Learning, Ice cream chills, Israel Advocacy/ Social Action Programming, Shabbat meals and Onegs, Teen Shiurim, and other community-wide social events.
- Coordinate “Shabbat and Yom Tov” home in MetroWest for teens to have a space to engage in over the weekends
- Work with the JSU team and local community to create a programming plan annually for unaffiliated teens in the MetroWest area.
- Actively participate in planning and programming aspects of Regional Shabbatonim and events.
- Manage all aspects of teen relationships, including cultivation, social engagement, mentoring, and stewarding growth.
- Cultivate relationships with parents of teens who participate in JSU programming.
- Cultivate partnerships and coordinate programs with the local shuls, schools, Jewish Federation, and other YSOs and Jewish organizations.
- Work closely with the local staff and regional staff to implement programming and contribute to a positive working environment.
- Engage and oversee the involvement of volunteer staff from local and regional universities as teen mentors (a.k.a. Advisors)
Leadership Development & Recruitment
- Coach student leaders and empower them to run impactful JSU clubs
- Recruit and participate in immersive experiences such as Shabbatons, NCSY and JSU Summer programs (especially TJJ), JSU trips and gap year opportunities in Israel
- Be a part of the NJ JSU team
- Attend weekly meetings
- Involved with planning and coordinating regional programming and event
- Actively participate in staff training and development sessions
- Manage program budgets and engagement data