Help Shape the Next Chapter of Tikvat Israel

For more than 60 years, Tikvat Israel Congregation has been a home for prayer, music, learning and community in Rockville, Maryland.  We seek an Education and Family Engagement Associate who will partner with our clergy, staff, and lay leaders to bring these values to life, strengthening our multigenerational community through worship, learning, music, and engagement.

Position Overview

This new position integrates educational leadership and family engagement.  The Education and Family Engagement Associate oversees educational programs, and supports programs to encourage congregational engagement.

The ideal candidate brings a passion for experiential and inclusive education and organizational skills to coordinate programming for both current and potential new members.  If this role excites you and you believe your experience and talents align with our vision, we encourage you to apply. We are seeking a thoughtful, collaborative leader who will grow with our community.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Educational Leadership (Religious School, Family, and Adult Learning)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, dynamic curriculum that integrates Jewish texts, history, Hebrew, and values.  Align Religious School programming with Tikvat Israel’s mission and culture.
• Manage registration, scheduling, budget, communication, and data tracking for the Religious School and education programs.
• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate Religious School teachers.
• Provide mentorship, professional development, and instructional support to ensure excellence and consistency in teaching.
• Plan the annual Religious School calendar in coordination with congregational volunteers and lay leaders.
• Create a nurturing, inclusive environment that fosters curiosity, belonging, and a love for Judaism.  Integrate experiential and differentiated learning opportunities to support neurodiverse learners and those with disabilities.
• Communicate regularly with parents by providing updates on student progress and school activities/events. Foster meaningful parent partnerships that encourage family involvement in synagogue life and volunteer leadership.
• Stay current with best practices in Jewish and general education. Represent Tikvat Israel in professional learning networks and community education partnerships.

Teen and Youth Engagement

• In coordination with our Rabbi and tutors, support B’nai Mitzvah students and families with logistics and coordination of their event.
• Envision and design teen programming focused on the development of synagogue skills, community service, and social engagement.
• Collaborate with regional Jewish youth organizations to expand participation and connection.
• Integrate ritual participation and Jewish identity-building in all youth activities.

Engagement, Family Life, and Community Building

• Support lay leadership in their development and implementation of  intergenerational and family programming that connects households of all compositions.
• Coordinate and assist with implementation of cultural programming for major holidays.
• Provide oversight for the comprehensive program calendar, coordinating with lay leaders and affiliate groups, to ensure equitable access by all members of the congregation.
• Support lay leaders in managing budgets for events in conjunction with the Executive Director and congregational treasurer.
• Partner with TI Preschool (ECC) leadership to ensure a smooth transition for young families into Religious School and synagogue life.
• Represent Tikvat Israel in the wider Jewish and interfaith community through collaborative partnerships, outreach, and joint programming.

Leadership and Administration

• Serve as a member of the professional staff team.
• Under the supervision of our Rabbi and Executive Director, manage budgets for congregational events and programs as directed.
• Collaborate with lay leaders to align programming with synagogue vision, financial sustainability, and inclusivity goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education Leadership: Proven experience in Jewish education administration, curriculum design, and teacher supervision.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with clergy, staff, and volunteers; strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Technology: Comfort with office productivity tools.  Experience with Google Workspace, ShulCloud, and Basecamp are desirable.

• Commitment: Demonstrated dedication to inclusivity, accessibility, and community engagement.

• Ordination or Commissioning (optional): Rabbinic or Cantorial ordination from an accredited institution (Conservative preferred: pluralistic backgrounds welcome).

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Warm, accessible presence; naturally builds rapport and trust.
• Collaborative and organized, balancing creativity with follow-through.
• Spiritually grounded and Judaically knowledgeable.
• Energetic educator who delights in fostering discovery and connection.
• Empathetic listener and thoughtful communicator, guiding change with steadiness and optimism.

NOTE: A Candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge to serve as a Shaliach Tzibbur may apply simultaneously for both positions.

About Tikvat Israel

Tikvat Israel is a friendly, participatory, and egalitarian synagogue located in Rockville, MD, affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.  With a mission to engage, embrace, inspire, and empower the Jewish community, Tikvat Israel encourages spiritual exploration and personal growth, and is a thriving home to a diverse community that learns from the past, meets the needs of the present, and builds towards our future. We have a large number of active lay leaders, participating in worship, programming, and stewardship of our congregation.

Location: Tikvat Israel Congregation, Rockville, MD

Status: Full-time, exempt (includes evenings, weekends and Jewish holidays)

Benefits: Flexible schedule, PTO, Retirement plan, Medical plan

To Apply: Please include a resume, reference, and brief cover letter.