In the heart of Berlin, Germany, near monuments to the destruction of Jewish life in Berlin and Europe, and to traces of the vibrant Jewish life that preceded the destruction, lies the Lauder Beth-Zion School. The school was established by the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation to serve a growing population of Torah observant Jews in Berlin, many of them immigrants to Germany from the former Soviet Union.
The school is unique in Berlin and Germany in its aspiration and mission; to nurture and educate young Jews to feel fully at home in the world of Torah learning and living, and to become independent, self-confident, successful adults, contributing to community, society and Klal Yisrael.
Located on two campuses in an historic and centrally located district of Berlin, our school teaches 120 students from first grade to 12th grade in a dual curriculum of General- and Kodesh Studies. Students are taught in both gender-mixed and separate classes, with the Kodesh studies program covering approximately 1/4 - 1/3 of the daily classroom-hours. With a strong emphasis on Hebrew language education, the majority of Kodesh-lessons are conducted in Hebrew. Pupils generally graduate school with competence in Limudei Kodesh comparable to that provided by Jewish day schools in large communities in North America and Europe, and with Hebrew language competence greatly in excess of those schools.
About the Job
In this role, you will:
- Bring together all Kodesh-faculty to examine and enhance the curriculum to help ensure relevance and student preparedness for their future roles as active members and leaders of the Jewish community.
- Inspire an environment of learning that gives students Torah knowledge and values, text-based tools, and excitement to engage fully in Jewish life as active and observant Jews.
- Foster pride among faculty, students, parents, and the greater community by promoting the value, importance and differentiation of the Jewish experience in Berlin.
- Set clear goals, expectations, and accountability with team members to ensure achievement of goals as well as consistency and transparency in all types of communication.
- Provide management and oversight that ensures that school operations are organized, efficient, and cost-effective.
- Partner with the general studies departments, the community, and the community- and school-rabbi to help clarify and align the students’ educational journey.
- Build effective relationships by interacting positively with the many people who interact with the school.
- Be a highly visible presence in the school community, inspiring students and parents through direct communication, teaching, and speaking.
- Nurture a warm, embracing, and dynamic culture that inspires positivity and dedication to recruit and retain engaged, motivated students, faculty and staff.
About You
You have a record of success as a leader, specialize in initiating and managing change, and you build effective, well-functioning teams. You are perceptive and knowledgeable, a strong communicator, listener, and relationship-builder with internal and external partners. You can communicate the school’s mission adeptly and authentically. Additionally, you understand and appreciate the complexities and joys of leading a school community grounded in Orthodox values while welcoming students from varying backgrounds and family histories.
We believe you have:
- A master’s degree in education or related field (preferred).
- 5+ years of strong leadership and management experience in a school setting – both in and out of the classroom.
- A minimum of 5+ years of teaching experience.
- Excellent pedagogical skills including the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop education and teaching.
- Experience fostering a student-centered educational and social-emotional philosophy.
- Embody and set high ethical standards.
- Proven record of leading, motivating and developing excellent teams and processes.
- Demonstrated success in program development and implementation.
- The demonstrated ability to build trust through excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
- Exceptional oral, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Sufficient conversational English and solid conversational Hebrew.
Compensation and Application
Competitive compensation calculated based on experience, qualifications and current salary requirements is offered, together with full benefits.
Benefits include paid time off, medical and dental insurance, relocation, accommodation in Berlin’s city center in walking distance to the Jewish community, and tuition benefits for any eligible children. Spouses have multiple employment opportunities in the school, the Jewish community and outreach projects.
Please apply online by March 31, 2023 for immediate consideration or email Dr. Hannah Tzuberi ([email protected]) with any questions.