Youth Director – Beth Jacob Congregation

Youth Director – Beth Jacob Congregation

Position Overview

Beth Jacob Congregation is seeking  dynamic, organized, and engaging Youth Director to lead and grow a vibrant youth program that fosters a lifelong connection to Shul, community, and Jewish life. The Youth Director will create a warm, welcoming “home away from home” where children of all ages feel comfortable, inspired, and excited to participate.

This role combines educational leadership, program development, staff management, and community engagement.

Job Type: Part-Time

Key Responsibilities

1. Shabbos Youth Programming

• Oversee and run weekly Shabbos morning groups (approx. 9:30 AM – 11:15 AM) and Shabbos afternoon groups (approx 1.5 hours before mincha)
• Develop and implement structured, engaging programming including:
• Parsha learning
• Age-appropriate tefillah education
• Games, stories, and activities
• Maintain a safe, fun, and organized environment for all age groups
• Account for environments, materials, and content
• The Youth Director ensures proper supervision and smooth transitions (childcare → groups → Shul participation)

2. Teen Leadership Development

• Recruit, schedule, and supervise high school helpers to support programming
• Provide ongoing coaching on:
• Helping Youth Director with leading parts of davening, not replace
• Teaching parsha content to support Youth Director, not replace
• Managing younger children
• Assign roles based on strengths and ensure accountability
• Run monthly planning and training sessions with teen leaders

3. Staffing & Operations

• Create weekly staffing plans (confirmed at least 2 weeks in advance)
• Ensure appropriate supervision ratios across all groups
• Manage childcare coverage (9:30-10:00 am on Shabbos morning)
• Oversee snack distribution, design and implement reward/incentive systems
• Be present on-site during programming hours, rotating between groups as needed

4. Year-Round Youth Programming

• Plan and execute:
• ~10 general youth events annually
• ~10 teen-focused programs annually (excl. monthly planning for teen helpers)
• Organize:
• Pre-holiday events and during Yom Tov programming
• Parent-child learning programs (seasonal)
• Childcare for pre-arranged events (scholar in residence, Shabbos Hagadol, etc.) as needed
• Develop engaging, age-appropriate educational and social experiences

5. Holiday Programming

• Coordinate youth programming holiday events
• Pre-holiday or on-holiday themed events (i.e Chanuka, Purim, Sukka-hop)
• Conduct and staff Shabbos morning youth programming on holidays
• High Holidays (childcare + structured content)
• Sukkot & Shavuot (extended duration aligned with davening)
• Pesach (based on community needs)
• Ensure proper staffing (in accordance with childcare requirements), materials, and schedules are prepared in advance

6. Communication & Marketing

• Submit draft event plans to Rabbi at least 2 months in advance, for a timely execution
• Create and distribute:
• Weekly flyers
• Event promotions (email/WhatsApp)
• Actively promote participation within the community
• Maintain clear communication with parents and leadership

7. Leadership & Collaboration

• Report directly to the Rabbi
• Attend weekly meetings with the Rabbi
• Participate in periodic reviews and planning with leadership
• Collaborate with volunteers and community members as needed

8. Program Oversight & Culture

• Foster a warm, inclusive, and respectful environment
• Handle behavioral issues appropriately, involving parents when necessary
• Ensure policies are followed as per Youth Department Handbook
• Model positive engagement and leadership for children and teens

Schedule & Availability

• Commitment: Shabbos mornings, Shabbos afternoons, key Jewish holidays
• Year round events
• Additional time required for:
• Event planning and execution
• Weekly meetings
• Communication and administrative tasks
• Up to 6 Shabbosos off annually (with advance planning; coverage & approval necessary)
• Job description is solely for youth director and any adult that operates as the youth director is considered a substitute and needs to be an approved in advance and in according with the absence contingency plan 

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Rabbi
• Works closely with: Youth committee, volunteers, and parent community

Qualifications

• Prior experience in Jewish youth programming
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and project management skills
• Passionate about working with children and teens

Compensation Package

• Competitive Salary
• Relocation or housing assistance benefits
• If also interested in a formal education role we are able to partner with a local school for a potential full time salary arrangement