Director of Jewish Life

The 14^th Street Y (14Y) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial Director of Jewish Life to develop, lead and promote new and innovative cultural, educational, and artistic programming that engages downtown New York City’s diverse and inclusive Jewish community.

Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers of all ages, races, and ethnicities come to 14Y as members, visitors, or partners to experience our high quality and varied programs centered around arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, and older adult services. 14Y is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment to downtown New York’s entire community. Our staff oversee Jewish programming that includes:

• LABA New York, a groundbreaking Jewish artist residence that originated at 14Y and has inspired a global network of residencies
• The Downtown Jewish Life Network, consisting of dozens of synagogues and cultural institutions, for which 14Y is the lead partner and primary convener
• Jewish preschool and afterschool serving over 200 families each academic year
• Jewish day camp on UJA’s Henry Kaufman campus serving 1,000 children each summer
• Project ORE, a renowned Jewish social services program for at risk older adults

Under new leadership and the auspices of the Educational Alliance’s network of Lower Manhattan community centers, 14Y is now poised for transformation as the premier downtown destination for Jewish arts and culture, wellness and spirituality, education, and community engagement. Reflective of this unique moment in our organizational history funders have provided 14Y with a 16-month initial grant to support a full time Director of Jewish Life; it is our expectation that this will become a permanent role at 14Y.

The successful candidate will have a deep commitment to Jewish values, heritage, and culture, recognizing that Jews and Jewish life are extremely diverse and include people of all races, observance, experience, ideology, and interest. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with our senior staff as well as partners at the local and national level, the Director of Jewish Life will create programs, events and initiatives that reflect 14Y at its best: dynamic, inclusive and creative.

A resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education
• 7+ years of leadership experience designing and executing creative, unique, and compelling programs and experiences of varying scale and audience, preferably in an urban setting reflective of diverse and inclusive Jewish values.
• Experience in bridge building, interfaith, social justice or community service work.
• Familiarity and knowledge of Israel and its diverse cultures.
• Experience in fundraising and grant writing preferred.
• Experience managing multiple and often simultaneous complex projects,
• Outstanding verbal and written communication; experience with branding and social media as a storytelling and outreach tool.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player with the willingness to adapt to, and support, organizational culture to achieve shared goals.
• Availability to work on certain nights and weekends outside of regular business hours relating to programming and events.