Director of 14Y Selah

Educational Alliance's 14th Street Y (14Y) is a vibrant Jewish Community Center located in downtown New York City. 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, Jewish life, and older adult services. We are committed to building an inclusive and engaged community where we proudly celebrate Jewish life. We provide a variety of opportunities for people to discover, explore, and connect with Jewish culture and we curate a wide array of programing that honors the multi-faceted perspective of the Jewish community. 

14Y is hiring a Director of Selah to join our team. Selah is a newly incorporated program into 14Y, having begun as a grassroots Jewish spiritual community that integrates Jewish tradition with recovery practices to support individuals in recovery from substance use and other forms of addiction. Over the next year, Selah will continue its transition from a small, independent nonprofit with limited resources to becoming a fully integrated program of 14Y with expanded offerings and reaching new audiences. Selah’s new leader will report directly to 14Y’s Executive Director on vision and strategy, work closely with the Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff on business operations, and lead and collaborate with the 14Y Selah team of Associate Directors (and co-founders) on program development and implementation. This role blends both strategic oversight and direct engagement, depending on the evolving needs of 14Y Selah. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES 

General Oversight and Leadership 

• Report to the Executive Director and collaborate on vision, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising. 
• Work with the Deputy Executive Director and the Chief of Staff on budget creation, strategic planning, and implementation of program operations. 
• Supervise and collaborate with a team of two Associate Directors  The Associate Directors are two of the original co-founders of Selah and oversee Operations and Programming. 
• Oversee coordination and collaboration with other 14Y departments. 
• Regularly assess consistent quality of program, operations, communications, and systems; recommend resources and investments needed to achieve annual goals and continuous improvement 
• Develop, track and maintain department budgets; effectively communicate regular updates on revenue goals and expenses   

Spiritual Leadership and Ritual 

• Lead meaningful Jewish services, rituals, and ceremonies that resonate with the unique needs and spiritual journeys of the 14Y Selah community and the themes and needs of those in recovery and their loved ones. 
• Foster spaces where Jewish tradition serves as a source of sustenance, healing, and growth for individuals in recovery and their loved ones. 
• Provide one-on-one spiritual counseling and guidance to individuals and families navigating recovery. 
• Offer compassionate support tailored to the needs of community members from diverse backgrounds and experiences. 
• Support individuals in integrating Jewish wisdom and recovery practices into their healing journeys. 

Program Development and Facilitation 

• Design and implement innovative programming across 14Y that integrates Jewish tradition with modern recovery frameworks and best practices, offering participants tools for connection, growth, and meaning.  
• Collect and organize data and key performance indicators for evaluation of 14Y Selah’s programming and impact 
• Facilitate workshops, classes, and discussion groups on topics related to spirituality, recovery, Jewish learning, and personal transformation. 
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of 14Y Selah, Programs to align spiritual offerings with broader programming and community needs. 
• Cultivate an inclusive, welcoming environment that values diversity and fosters belonging for people of all backgrounds, including Jewish+/interfaith families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people at different points in their recovery journeys. 
• Lead community gatherings and outreach efforts to strengthen relationships within the Selah community and beyond. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy 

• Represent Selah and 14Y in public forums, at events, and in partnerships with other organizations to expand visibility, outreach, and impact. 
• Conduct grant research; assist in preparing grant proposals 
• Advocate for the integration of Jewish spiritual tradition and recovery practices as powerful tools for healing and growth. 
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to build strategic partnerships that strengthen Selah’s reach and offerings. 
• Serve as a thoughtful ambassador for Selah’s values and mission in all interactions. 

Other 

• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required 
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

• Minimum of 6-10 years of professional experience in the fields of addiction recovery, Jewish spiritual leadership, and/or Social Work.  
• Ordination is not required; candidates from chaplaincy, education, or lived experience backgrounds are welcome. 
• Prior supervisory experience and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively required 
• Prior experience and comfort with planning Jewish programming. 
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to approach tasks that are complex and urgent in a systematic, deliberate, and efficient manner. 
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities and projects effectively. 
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills with strength in communicating with broad spectrum of stakeholders 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.  
• Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite, expertise in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.