USY Director - Israel Programs

Mission Critical:
USY empowers Jewish teens through creating exceptional Jewish experiences, and transforms Jewish lives by inspiring Jewish teenagers to care more about their Judaism. Encouraging teenagers to immerse their minds, bodies, and souls is one of the keystone pillars of USY’s work, and immersive in Israel represent the center of USY’s commitment to setting the standard for experiential Jewish education.

For over sixty years, USY inspired Jewish teenagers to travel to Israel and experience the power of inspired Israel education. USY Israel Pilgrimage (now EPIC Israel) has sent tens of thousands of Jewish teenagers to Israel, as well as exploring Jewish history through immersive experiences in countries including Poland, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, and the Former Soviet Union.

Position Purpose:
The Director of USY Israel Programs manages the Israel-based operations for USY’s Israel Programs, including setting program itineraries, transportation and lodging arrangements, hiring Israeli staff, program security and safety, and the health and well-being of participants and staff, while also serving as the as the lead interface between the program and the USY office in New York City, the staff of the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem, and the Jewish Agency.

The director is both the program director and senior educator, managing the program itself while serving as a Jewish role model for participants and staff. This requires a director who is knowledgeable about Conservative/Masorti Judaism and dedicated to educating Jewish teenagers.
Based in Jerusalem, the Director of USY Israel Programs reports to the Senior Director of USY to set the strategy and implement the goals of USY’s Israel programs, and serves as a member of USY’s Senior Staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
*Oversee the Israel-based of USY Israel Programs including programming, health and safety, disciplinary issues, staff supervision, fundraising, food service, hospitality, and recruitment
*Serve as the senior educator for USY Israel Programs in Israel during the summer, and in North America year-round, demonstrating a commitment to modeling a holistic vision of Israel education to USY
*Based on the direction of the Director of USY Summer Programs, own the development of new trips in Israel, Europe, and other attractive locations outside of North America
*In coordination with the Director of USY Summer Programs, develop an interview, training, and onboarding process with Israeli mishlakhat who work on USY Summer Programs
*Serve as main contact with USY’s key organizational partners in Israel, including The Israel Experience, USY’s land provider in Israel, the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism, the Jewish Agency, the NOAM *Youth Movement (Noar Masorti), Ramah Israel, and Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael.
*Supervise the Israeli shlichim hired to serve USY in North America through USY’s partnership with the Jewish Agency, identifying candidates and supervising their projects for the duration of their shlichut
*Managing the grant requirements for RootOne, the Israel education initiative of the Marcus Family Foundation that provides vouchers to bring more Jewish teenagers to Israel
*Work directly with the USY international teen leaders responsible for USY’s teen Israel leadership, helping teen leaders set yearly goals, manage key projects, and service regional and local leaders
*Develop and implement schedules in partnership with the staff of the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism, the location of USY’s Israel offices
*Prepare financial reports as needed and oversee the financial management and fundraising to allow for adequate annual funding to meet long term goals
*Ensure that program staff and participants know and follow health and safety procedures during programs
*Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in all program areas in partnership with staff at the program’s youth hostel in Jerusalem and second semester locations

Supervisory Responsibility:
*Twelve months a year, the Director of USY Israel Programs will supervise the USY Shlichim in North America and any additional full-time or part-time staff hired to plan for Israel programs from USY’s Israel office. *During the summer months, the Director of USY Israel Programs supervises several dozen Roshei Kvutzah (Group Leaders) and madrikhim (counselors) who staff the summer programs; the total amount of summer staff varies based on program registration.

Recommended Education and Experience:
*Advanced Degree strongly preferred, preferably in Jewish Communal Service or Jewish Education
*Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science required
*Hebrew Fluency (i.e. reading, writing, and speaking)
*Dual citizenship for Israel and the United States or Canada is preferred, but not required
*Work permission for Israel required
*8-10 years or more relevant experience
*Tour Guide license would be a bonus, but not required

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
*Commitment to ongoing professional development for oneself and the staff he/she/they supervises
*Project management skills, particularly involving multiple departments and overlapping constituencies
*Knowledge of CRM systems and customer service platforms
*Work Environment: Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center for Conservative Judaism, Jerusalem, Israel

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
*Full-time position
*A number of evenings and weekends are required in the summer, depending on the needs of the program

Travel:
Travel required, including several visits to North America each year to recruit participants and staff, as well as connect with alumni and participate in fundraising opportunities. The position also requires travel within Israel and parts of Europe and Asia, depending on the needs of the program.

Salary:
Salary based on experience plus pensia, keren hishtalmut, etc.

Work Authorization:
Although USY’s Israel Programs are run by USY and USCJ, both of which are based in the United States, officially the director will be an employee of the Amuta of the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism. This enables all work authorization and procedures to be aligned with Israeli employment law.