Family Jewish Educator

Position: Part-Time Family Jewish Educator The Chatham Synagogue, Chatham Center, NY

BACKGROUND

The Chatham Synagogue/ Netivot Torah (TCS) is a non-denominational, member-led Jewish congregation that serves a diverse population in Columbia County. We play an active role in the larger community, both in terms of providing a Jewish presence and by promoting social justice.

We have a full calendar of cultural and educational programs that explore Jewish identity, ideas, and our relationship to the modern world. We believe in the importance of practicing the tenets of Judaism through our weekly Shabbat services, social action, community service, education, and interfaith engagement.

Several times a year and on High Holidays, Rabbi Or Rose joins us to conduct services and workshops. Rabbi Rose is the director of The Miller Center for Inter-religious Learning & Leadership of Hebrew College in Boston.

TCS began as a small congregation in 1999 and we have experienced steady growth. In 2017, we completed an expansion of our historic turn-of-the-century building that more than doubled our space.

We are now a congregation of nearly 140 families and are poised at an inflection point in our growth. We are seeking a part-time Family Jewish Educator to enable us to reach and engage the many families with children who now have a more dedicated presence in the Hudson Valley and who seek to be part of an inclusive, warm and caring Jewish community. The launching of this pilot program reflects our desire to broaden our member demographic and enhance TCS participation opportunities for the local community.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, plan and oversee high quality, creative programming for families. Our goal is to hold 10 Jewish-themed programs/events over the course of 12 months. These programs will be designed to actively engage preschool to elementary school aged children and their families. Programming will coincide with the Jewish calendar and encompass Shabbat, Holiday and High Holy Day services and celebrations when possible. While most Programs will be held at TCS, they can also take place at other relevant locations (farms, nature destinations, community service destinations) as is appropriate when collaborating with other committees (e.g., social action).

• Interface and coordinate with various TCS Board Committees: Youth and Family Services; Membership; Ritual; Social Action; Communications etc. to leverage existing resources and to plan meaningful programming.

• Contract with professionals in various specialties (e.g. performing artists or environmental educators etc.), as required to mount programs of interest to the community members

• Work with the Communications Committee to conduct targeted outreach to the community and create materials/publicity to engage children and families in the community.

• Create goals and outcomes for the first year of programming and conduct periodic evaluations.

• Create feedback mechanisms for families to provide input on their experiences and ideas for future programming.

• Periodic reporting to the Board of Trustees on programmatic progress

  *NOTE*

• The Family Educator will not be responsible for fundraising

• TCS has a part-time Synagogue Administrator that can assist with administrative

  functions related to the position (e.g., updating the website and social media to market events and programs).

  REPORTING

• This position reports to the TCS Board and will provide scheduled periodic updates on programming progress to the board. However, for day to day communications and details about planning and execution of events, communication will be directly with the Chairs of Membership and the Youth and Family Services Committee.

• Ideally, the Educator will reside in the Greater Capital Region/Upper Hudson Valley or in the Berkshires region of Western Massachusetts, so as to be part of the TCS community.

  QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree

• A proven track record in Jewish education for children and families

• Music background a plus

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships

  with children and families

• Experience working and educating preschool to elementary school age children

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Good judgment, management and problem-solving skills

• Strong project management and organization skills including ability to work

  independently, assess priorities, take initiative, handle multiple assignments, and meet

  deadlines

• Standard Background check required

• Annual Salary: Commensurate with experience

Please forward resumes (with two references) and Cover Letter to: [email protected]

Subject line: Family Jewish Educator

Submission of support materials is always welcome (e.g., relevant publications or portfolio of relevant work).