B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator

Congregation Emanu El

B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator

The B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator is an organized, detail-oriented customer service professional responsible for connecting with Congregation Emanu El’s B’nei Mitzvah students and their families and delivering a concierge experience as they approach this lifecycle event. As a member of our education team, this position offers an opportunity to partner with our Rabbis, Cantor and Director of Congregational Learning, along with administrative staff and lay leaders, to develop and operate a B’nei Mitzvah preparation program that reflects our congregation’s core values.  

Core Responsibilities:

Creativity and Vision

• Collaborate with the clergy team and the Director of Congregational Learning (DCL) to refine and execute the congregation’s vision for its B’nei Mitzvah program.

Congregational Team Member

• Oversee and administer the B'nei Mitzvah program working in collaboration with DCL, clergy, administrative staff, teachers, events/facilities team, and lay leadership.
• Review and establish B'nei Mitzvah procedures in partnership with DCL, clergy and administrative staff
• Participate in departmental and other staff meetings
• Collaborate with the education team to integrate B'nei Mitzvah preparation into the religious school curriculum, including Hebrew learning and retreat(s)

Parent Communication

• Serve as congregational “concierge” for B’nei Mitzvah families, coordinating with clergy, education, and other departments to ensure a seamless experience with a single point of contact
• Send meeting requests and email reminders for all classes, meetings and rehearsals
• Present at parent meetings (3-5 per year)

Preparation Program Coordination

• Serve as the receptionist/operator for Tuesday in-person and Thursday Zoom classes (5:00-6:30 p.m., year-round) 
• Train and coordinate additional Zoom operators, as required
• Generate schedule for each Tuesday/Thursday class, ensuring that each student receives all required specialist and clergy meetings
• Communicate with parents about student attendance, including summer camp and travel plans that may necessitate an adjusted start date, and make any required schedule changes
• Coordinate with DCL, Cantor and teachers regarding student progress and arrange for any needed remediation
• Coordinate speech and clergy rehearsals for each student
• Track teacher attendance and schedule any necessary substitutes
• Attend and present at teacher meetings (2-3 per year)

Administration

• Assist with date assignment process for 5th grade and new students
• Maintain database records of B’nei Mitzvah students, dates and key information and communicate with accounting, clergy assistants and other departments
• Maintain inventory of student prayer manuals and Torah commentary workbooks
• Provide materials in advance of each student’s initial Torah portion meeting with Senior Rabbi
• Prepare individual Torah and Haftarah sheets, per Cantor’s instructions, for each student
• Maintain resources for suggested Mitzvah/Tzedakah projects
• Prepare certificates and gifts for each student
• Coordinate 6th grade yad project 

Qualifications: 

• Exceptional organizational and computer skills (Microsoft Office and Google Drive a must; ShulCloud or other database experience a plus)
• High emotional intelligence and ability to relate to adults and students
• Solution-focused customer service orientation
• Ability to work in collaborative teams
• Highly organized self-starter, able to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Hebrew literacy, including familiarity with Torah, Haftarah and Reform liturgy
• Minimum 2-5 years experience in a customer-oriented position
• Capacity for reflection and aspiration for professional growth
• Ability to work a varied schedule including evenings and occasional weekends
• Flexibility and sense of humor a must!

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary
• Flexible schedule
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Medical and disability insurance
• Retirement plan

To Apply: Send your resume and cover letter via email to [email protected]

Congregation Emanu El is a Reform synagogue of approximately 1,600 members families in Houston, Texas, near the Museum District and Rice University. Our Helfman Religious School has a student body of approximately 450 students in grades PK-12. We average 40-50 B’nei Mitzvah per year.

Our educational mission is to offer an innovative, experiential, and compelling religious educational program for children to learn about Judaism and develop their own sense of Jewish identity.