Middle and Upper School 2026-27
Director Of Judaic Studies
ABOUT US _______________________________________________________________
The Jewish Leadership Academy is a world-class Jewish Middle and Upper School dedicated to developing the skills, curiosity, and potential of Miami’s most ambitious students for a life of purpose, commitment, and service.
JLA is committed to:
-Challenging inquisitive minds to think critically and creatively in pursuit of the highest academic standards across all disciplines.
-Putting values into action by embedding leadership training and community service into the heart of the educational program.
-Engaging the mind and stirring the soul to connect with the Jewish past and the Jewish present, the Jewish People and the Jewish State, through the broad and embracing lens of Modern Orthodoxy.
We are carefully creating a faculty culture that is values-driven, committed to high standards and high support, rooted in respect for all, and in an unabiding love for what we do. Click here to view our Culture Deck.
JUDAIC STUDIES AT JLA ____________________________________________________
JLA is committed to accepting mission-appropriate students who seek to grow in their understanding of and appreciation for Judaism, irrespective of any prior experience with Jewish learning and irrespective of their or their family’s personal level of observance. On campus and at all school functions, Jewish life and learning will be conducted in accordance with Modern Orthodox standards and perspectives.
The focus of the Judaic Studies curriculum is the creation of a strong foundation in the fundamentals of Jewish ideas and practice, with less focus on the technical aspects of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. Courses are designed to expose students to the profundity of Jewish texts and the depth of Jewish tradition while fostering the creation of personal connections to their heritage that will last a lifetime.
Students at JLA take seven periods a week of Judaic Studies in addition to two periods a week of Hebrew Language. An optional daily period twice a week is also available to students in all grades. In order to bolster JLA students’ understanding of both the Jewish present and past, and in order to imbue them with a strong sense of connection to the State of Israel, all students in grades 9-12 spend 3.5 weeks of every school year in Israel— in an immersive Judaic experience that will focus on Tanach, Jewish History, Contemporary Israel, and Ulpan.
In addition, all JLA students spend two hours per week in our Service Entrepreneurship Program which is designed to bring the values of chesed and or la-goyim to life.
DIRECTOR OF JUDAIC STUDIES______________________________________________
The Director of Judaic Studies reports to the Associate Head of Upper School and is responsible for overseeing the continued development of JLA’s distinctive Judaics curriculum. The successful candidate will lead all aspects of Judaics academics, including (but not limited to) teaching and learning, department collaboration, the strengthening of departmental norms and culture, and the creation of opportunities for cross-curricular integration.
This role provides leadership for a strong department of talented and experienced educators. The Director of Judaic Studies must bring confidence in pedagogy, instructional leadership, and department management.
As a core member of the leadership team shaping the Jewish experience at JLA, the Director will work closely with the Director of Jewish Life, the Campus Rabbi, and the Associate Head of Upper School. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative team with a shared vision and a commitment to ensuring that the Judaics experience at JLA remains world-class.
RESPONSIBILITIES _________________________________________________________
Responsibilities will include:
-Teaching a modified load
-Advisory, media-literacy, research, service learning, ruach / inspiration or mentorship role as part of our unique Friday schedule
-Maintain a strong, ongoing understanding of the needs, concerns, and successes of the teachers within their department, and advocate for those needs.
-Supervise gradebooks and assessments
-Work in partnership with the Academic Dean to support instructional excellence, coherence across the department, pedagogical guidance, and alignment with Atlas.
-Provide informal mentorship and coaching in order to help cultivate a reflective and collaborative team culture.
-Facilitate regular discipline-specific team meetings (weekly or biweekly)
-Advise on supply needs and advocate for resources necessary to support teaching and learning within the discipline.
-Observe and provide constructive feedback to faculty in the middle and upper divisions 1x per semester to support instructional growth and effectiveness, reporting the outcomes and recommendations to the Associate Heads and Academic Dean
QUALIFICATIONS _________________________________________________________
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience at the Middle/Upper school level, as well as a strong foundation in classroom pedagogy. He/She must have an advanced degree in Judaic Studies or Education. Experience working with gifted and talented students is an asset. Previous experience in management and leadership roles is preferred
In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate:
-The ability to connect with and inspire students.
-Innovative and creative practices.
-Willingness to take risks
-He/she is guided by Torah values
-He/she is a lifelong learner
-The ability and desire to work collaboratively on a high-functioning team.
-Excellent people skills.
-Mastery of Google Workspace for Education and an overall comfort with technology.
-Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
-The desire to be a part of a learning community.
-A strong work ethic.
BENEFITS__________________________________________________________
A strong benefits package includes:
-Highly competitive salary
-Full health, dental, and vision for employee
-8% annual retirement match
-Daily breakfast and lunch
-Generous PTO
-Relocation stipend
-Opportunities for professional development and growth
-Short and long-term disability and life insurance
Jewish Leadership Academy
975 NW 95th Street Miami, FL 33150