Pardes Jewish Day School is a premier Jewish independent school for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, founded in 1993. Pardes is the largest Jewish Day School in Arizona, located in Scottsdale. The School prepares students to become outstanding members of society through a rigorous secular and Judaic education, a nurturing community, and a foundation in Judaism that welcomes all Jewish traditions.
Pardes Mission: Pardes Jewish Day School prepares students to become outstanding members of society through a rigorous secular and Judaic education, a nurturing community, and a foundation in Reform Judaism that welcomes all Jewish traditions.
Position: School Counselor
Pardes is looking for an outstanding and talented individual to serve as its Director of Jewish Studies, to oversee the Jewish education and experience for the students. The Director of Jewish Studies serves as a member of the Leadership Team, oversees the Jewish Studies and Hebrew faculty, inspires students, parents and faculty with a love of Judaism.
Specific areas of responsibility include the following:
- Promote a positive Jewish learning experience that engages and inspires the school community
- Serve as the instructional leader for all Jewish Studies and Hebrew teaching, ensuring strong curriculum, teaching practices and outcomes
- Oversee Jewish Studies faculty, Middle School Hebrew Coordinator, and Hebrew faculty
- Determine best ways to assess student progress in the Jewish Studies and Hebrew departments and execute the plan
- Along with school Rabbi, Lead/Conduct Tefillah, Parashiot Studies, and Kabbalat Shabbat
- Teach classes as assigned and/or needed
- Play an important role in the Cognia re-accreditation
- Coordinate Tikkun Olam opportunities for students and families
- In conjunction with school rabbi, collaborate with all faculty and staff for school-wide Jewish holiday celebrations, as well as effective ways to integrate Jewish learning into secular studies as appropriate.
- Manage parent communication in a timely, positive, and effective manner
- Outreach to Greater Phoenix Jewish community organizations and leaders, establishing collaborations in ways that will enhance the school.
- Regularly attend school events and serve as an ambassador for the school
- Along with school Rabbi, serve as a resource and guide for Jewish knowledge for the school community
- Promote professional development and learning opportunities for Hebrew/Jewish Studies faculty
- Work with the Judaic Studies teachers and Hebrew Language Coordinator to review, update, refine, and continually develop, and document a multi-dimensional curriculum
- In conjunction with school Rabbi, coordinate and manage all school holiday services and programs
- Assist the Head of School and School Rabbi in creating family education opportunities
Necessary Qualities:
- Deep love and care for K-8 children; energized by being around them
- Engender and promote joy, inspiration, love of learning, and positive relationship-building among all constituents of the school
- Well versed in K-8 Judaic curriculum and proficient in Hebrew
- Adept at both the knowledge and implementation of a 21st century learning environment and project-based learning
- Collaborative in nature, stellar at building teams, and a strong communicator
- Creative and inventive, both spiritually and ritually
- Up-to-date knowledge with how to integrate technology as a learning tool; proficient user of technology for communication, collaboration, instruction, and professional learning.
Education and Experience
- B.A or B.S. degree; Master’s degree preferred if an educator
- Degree in Jewish Education, prior experience as a Jewish educator or rabbinic degree
- 5+ years of experience in an academic environment (preferably K-8 Jewish Day School), ideally teaching Judaics to multiple grade levels and/or leading others who teach Judaics
- Prior experience and knowledge working in a day school or within another religious organization
Interested applicants should complete and submit an Employment Application.
In addition, please submit:
- A brief personal statement of religious and educational philosophy
- The names, email address and telephone numbers of three references
- Two letters of recommendation
Pardes Jewish Day School, as an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate in its hiring of employees on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital or veteran status, age or disability. We actively seek diversity among faculty and administration as well as among students.