Position: Tikkun Olam Educator and Community Organizer
Temple Beth Elohim is a vibrant, thriving congregation in Wellesley, MA, and stands as an innovator in many areas of synagogue life. Our 1300 member families travel to TBE from 37 different Boston-area communities to seek its caring and spiritual search and to commit themselves to exploring new ways of Jewish learning and living by finding their own paths towards shalom. More than 600 children in our community engage regularly in learning programs and community building. Hundreds of adult community members participate in Tikkun Olam initiatives, creating the spiritual, intellectual, social, activist and caring aspects of communal life at TBE. Truly amazing things are happening here and we can’t wait to welcome a new Tikkun Olam Educator and Community Organizer to advance TBE members’ meaningful social justice work, and to build and sustain partnerships between congregants, communities, clergy and TBE administrative and temple leadership.
Congregational Organizing and Engagement:
- Collaborate with clergy, staff, and lay leadership to develop long-term strategies and vision for adult and teen Tikkun Olam efforts, including budget planning, resource development, and communications
- Assist with strategy and organization of initiatives’ goals and tasks, particularly at the convening of a new program
- Support Tikkun Olam initiative meetings
- Serve as staff on-site at Tikkun Olam initiative events, providing assistance where needed, and connecting with clergy when clergy support is requested
- Join with the board liaison, the VP of Tikkun Olam, in engaging congregants through strategic outreach efforts
- Support and coordinate the implementation of synagogue-wide collection drives
- Inspire communal engagement with Tikkun Olam through annual giving drives, advocacy, learning and direct service
Youth Organizing and Engagement
- Design and implement community service learning for TBE Youth in collaboration with Learning Team and TBE’s Tikkun Olam leadership team
- Inspire, engage and build relationships with our 6th-12th grade students through social justice work and learning, especially through the flagship program for B’Mitzvah students: Ma’asim Tovim
- Support Tikkun Olam efforts in youth community through partnership with Learning Team and lay leaders
- Lead 1-2 Tikkun Olam Chavurot (interest-based groups) for teens
Community Organizing and Relationship Building
- Cultivate and facilitate an organizing model that supports repairing the world at all ages and stages
- Steward relationships with external organizations such as the Religious Action Center, Jewish Community Relations Council, JALSA, and GBIO
- Support advocacy for legislative initiatives
Administrative
- Partner with Communications Team to develop content and disseminate Tikkun Olam communications, including Mitzvah Moments and the Mah Chadash K-7 newsletter.
- Serve as the administrative coordinator for Tikkun Olam-related events, including the advanced preparation for and participation in events as needed
- Weekly meeting with Executive Director of Jewish Living and Learning and VP of Tikkun Olam to review and strategize around previous events, ongoing campaigns, and future actions; identify issues related to Tikkun Olam programs and facilitate discussion
- Attend and support Tikkun Olam leadership meetings
- Manage the Tikkun Olam budget and distribution of funds
Our new staff partner will possess
- A deep understanding and embodiment of the Jewish call for social justice
- Relationship-building skills and event organizing/program planning experience
- An energetic, engaging, creative, passionate and flexible approach
- Experience with social media and Google Suite Apps; familiarity with databases and online marketing software
- Strong written and oral communications skills;
- An ability to successfully handle multiple responsibilities and work collaboratively with a team in a fast-paced environment;
- An ability to interact with confidentiality, integrity, and tact when working with our diverse community
- An ability to work independently, autonomously, and exhibit strong follow-through.
Qualifications and Expectations
- Bachelor’s degree required;
- Passion for and experience with working in social justice community organizing
- Prior experience working with youth preferred
- This is a full-time, year-round, position with varied hours including some weekends and holidays.
Don’t meet all the qualifications above? We still encourage you to apply if you are excited about this opportunity.
Physical Demands
Performing the duties of this job requires the employee to regularly move from standing to crouching, sitting on the floor, and back to standing. The employee will use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and see, talk and hear. This job’s specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Compensation and Benefits
This position is being offered with a salary range of $45,000 - $50,000 based on education and experience. Additionally, the position offers benefits including but not limited to health insurance, voluntary dental insurance, flexible benefits plan (FSA), long term disability insurance, workers compensation, retirement savings plan, temple membership, paid time off, family leave, and professional development.
Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to Aiden O’Neal ([email protected]).