Director, Jewish Communal Affairs

Director, Jewish Communal Affairs (Full-Time)

About JCRC-NY

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), a proud UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body to: (1) Be a common table to cultivate understanding and joint action amongst diverse groups within the Jewish community; (2) Cultivate deeper relationships with the broader New York community to address critical issues and engender a shared society; (3) Ensure the security of the Jewish community in the face of rising antisemitism; and (4) Foster increased understanding and appreciation for the Jewish community’s relationship with Israel among diverse groups of New Yorkers.

Jewish Communal Affairs

The Jewish Communal Affairs department is responsible for creating a more connected Jewish community in New York by (1) facilitating ongoing meaningful relationships among Jewish leaders of local neighborhoods, (2) identifying opportunities for diverse groups of Jews to come together on a common agenda, and (3) creating opportunities for New York Jews to celebrate our shared culture and history (Jewish Heritage New York programming). This position also serves as Director of the annual Celebrate Israel Parade, which brings 40,000 marchers, tens of thousands of spectators, musical acts and entertainers to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer, and is based in the New York metropolitan area (though temporarily remote due to COVID-19).

Responsibilities include:

• Identify and track priority communities, including the Ultra-Orthodox, “Just Jewish,” and Russian-speaking Jewish communities, and their existing and emerging local leaders. Develop and execute outreach plans to engage these communities as well as the broad diversity of Jewish communities and organizations in NYC
• Proactively connect existing and emerging leaders 1-on-1 and in small groups for purpose of building connections in advance of needing to mobilize leaders to action
• Organize and facilitate coalitions and other collaborations of leaders at the neighborhood level
• Identify topical and timely particular and universal issues that affect a diverse array of Jews (Ex: security, antisemitism, affordable housing, senior issues, healthcare, and COVID-19 relief and response) around which trusting relationships and/or coalitions can be built
• Convene and expand the Jewish Leadership Forum to hold discussions and facilitate action on mutually determined issues of concern
• Assist in building agency-wide capacity to be hyper-responsive to issues as they arise in real-time, including crisis response
• Manage and execute Jewish Heritage New York programming to celebrate our shared culture within the Jewish community and share it with non-Jewish leaders and partners
• Direct the Celebrate Israel Parade, working closely with the Parade’s Executive Producer, Creative Director, development professionals, and lay committee, and Israeli dignitaries
• Take on leadership role within the agency working closely on interdepartmental issues (ex: Israel, security, intergroup relations, community building and shared society initiatives)
• Develop and implement effective engagement plan to increase the number of active JCRC-NY member organizations
• Work with in-house development professionals to raise funds to support Jewish Communal Affairs programming
• Engage JCRC-NY Jewish Communal Affairs lay co-chairs and other board members
• Serve as a resource to elected officials, Jewish organizations, and non-Jewish community leaders on how to effectively engage with various Jewish communities in New York City
• Submit grant applications and reporting on a timely basis
• Other projects as assigned by Chief Operating Officer, including possible development and implementation of outreach strategies related to specific neighborhoods and geographic areas

Requirements
• Deep familiarity with the various diverse Jewish communities of New York City, their leadership structures, and the challenges they face
• Minimum 7 years of experience working within the Jewish organizational world
• Excellent facilitation skills, with experience working in coalitions and a respectful approach to divergent religious and political points of view
• Proven outreach and organizing capabilities and ability to work with diverse audiences
• Demonstrated experience with increasing levels of responsibility organizing both small private and large scale public events
• Understanding of Israel and commitment to engaging diverse communities with love for Israel to the Celebrate Israel Parade
• Ability to work and thrive in fast paced environments and coalitions balancing time across a wide range of activities and prioritizing the most impactful work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Self-starter with creativity and a knack for problem solving
• Ability to manage and supervise staff and interns
• Fluency in Microsoft office, Google suite, and general computer skills
• Ability to work in person and remotely

Compensation
• Competitive salary and benefits package, paid vacation, personal/sick days