Position Overview
The Affinity Group and Adult Programming Associate (AGAPA) will work with the Associate Executive Director, the Clergy Team, and all program staff to help develop and facilitate adult programming aimed at creating community, nurturing connection and providing interesting and educational programs for our westside campuses.
This position plays a central role in the development and management of our congregant Affinity Groups as the staff liaison. Affinity groups are smaller cohorts made up of community members with similar demographics aiming to foster meaninful Jewish connection and also serve as pathways for deeper involvement with the Temple community.
The AGAPA is often the "face" of the Temple at programs and events and is expected to model professionalism, warmth, inclusivity, and strong relationship-centered values.
The role requires creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, strong organizational skills, and the ability to balance autonomy with collaboration while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Key Programming Area
Programming includes, but is not limited to:
- Signature Temple events across all campuses
- Congregant interest groups (Affinity Groups) and lay-led engagement initiatives
Duties and Responsibilities
Programming Development & Execution
- Develop creative, meaningful programs that reflect Jewish values and foster connection, belonging, and ongoing engagement in collaboration with clergy, staff, and lay leaders.
- Coordinate clergy involvement and pair clergy appropriately with programs and events.
- Oversee communications and logistics related to programming, including registration, ticketing, calendars, and event materials.
- Track attendance, participation trends, and engagement data; evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
- Develop intentional post-event follow-up protocols to identify new participants and deepen engagement with recurring attendees.
- Manage program budgets in coordiantion with supervisors, including cost analysis and financial tracking.
Event Management, Communications & Operations
- Coordinate and execute all logistics for programs and events, including staffing, security, facilities, catering, and vendor oversight.
- Solicit, manage, and maintain relationships with vendors, venues, educators, entertainers, caterers, and other service providers.
- Work with the Communications Team to ensure accurate and timely event promotion via website, email, and social media when appropriate.
- Provide event information for Temple calendars and internal departments.
- Attend weekly Events Team meetings and participate in campus team meetings (Glazer and Resnick)
- Support non-family and non-engagement Temple events as needed.
- Assist in developing and implementing strategies that help congregants and non-congregants become more deeply connected to the Temple.
- Serve as primary staff liaison to lay leadership groups including, but not limited to:
- Empty Nesters
- Men's Groups (in conjunction with Membership)
- Wilshire Women West (WWW)
- Wilshire Women East (WWE)
- Eastside Emas
- Women of Wilshire (WOW)
- Sisterhood
- Other groups as needed
- Support lay leaders in planning, financing, publicizing, and evaluating their programming.
- Field inquiries from congregants and prospective members via phone, email, and text and connect them with appropriate clergy, programs, or lay leaders.
- Maintain clean and accurate engagement data in coordination with Temple IS.
- Connect participants to additional Temple offerings, clergy relationships, and community opportunities, including possible Temple travel experiences.
Customer Experience
- Deliver exceptional customer service to congregants, participants, vendors, and guests.
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and professional environment at all programs and events.
- Coordinate effectively with clergy, executives, staff, and volunteers to ensure a seamless participant experience.
- Supervises staff and volunteers on an as-needed basis depending on event size.
Qualifications & Experience
- Passionate about sharing Jewish life and learning: The ideal candidate would be a self-starter with a strong knowledge of Judaism, who can infuse Jewish values and teachings into events and the program calendar.
- Highly creative, entrepreneurial, and collaborative self-starter with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to engage people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of Jewish experience with warmth and respect.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills; comfort with public speaking and facilitating diverse groups.
- Proficiency with technology, database, event systems, and social medica platforms.
- Excellent people skills to relate to members of all different ages and backgrounds. Capability to inspire and teach all with a tone and spirit that is respectful, inclusive, warm, welcoming and non-judgmental.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Promotes and encourages open communication with staff, students, and parents. Skillfully participates in Challenging conversations. Comfort with public speaking and teaching to diverse audiences.
- Exercises good judgment and uses common sense. Remains clam in crisis situations. Reflective in practice and learns continuously.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and quality.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in academic scholarship.
- 3-5 years of experience in educational programming, membership engagement, or community outreach.
- 3-5 years of event planning and coordination experience with a proven track record.
Position Growth and Evaluation
As this is a new position for WBT, it is understood by all parties that the job description for this position will, can, and should evolve over time based on the interests and talents of the AGAPA and the needs of the Temple, all subject to the direction and approval of the supervisor.
This position is particulartly suited to someone with a high degree of entrepreneurialism and creativity who can be successful with an equal balance of autonomy and support. The ideal candidate would be self-starter with a strong knowledge of Judaism, who can infuse Jewish values and teachings into events and the program calendar.
Evaluation will be based on the quality of programs and events being delivered on the campus, the feedback from program leaders and participant, growth in active participation and relationships, and logistical excellence and budget management.
Hours
- This is an exempt position and will need to supervise others on an as-needed basis depending on event size. While the workdays will vary, it is a minimum of 40 hours/week over a 5-day work week on average.
- Friday nights and weekends are a must with additional evening and weekend hours as needed.
- Availability to work on all religious holidays including the High Holy Days
Candidates should apply by forwarding their resumes and cover letter to [email protected]