Director of Young Family Learning and Engagement

Overview:
Congregation Beth Israel (‘CBI’) in Scottsdale, Arizona is a 600-family Reform congregation, established in 1920, the most historic congregation in Arizona. Our congregation aims to create a community filled with meaningful experiences and relationships. In addition to our congregation’s campus in Scottsdale, which includes the Chanen Preschool, Haberkorn Religious School, and Stein Family Mikvah, we also own and operate the Beth Israel Memorial Cemetery in downtown Phoenix and Camp Daisy & Harry Stein in Prescott, Arizona.

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and creative Director of Young Family Learning and Engagement (‘Director’) who is inspired by connection, innovation and learning to join our team and lead our Chanen Preschool Early Childhood Center (‘Chanen Preschool’). Chanen Preschool is an established and highly successful preschool licensed to serve 161 children offering developmentally appropriate experiences with a strong academic overlay. Jewish values are also woven throughout the curriculum as students and families embark on their Jewish family experience.

As Director, you will be responsible for the oversight of the various programs as it relates to our children, staff, parents, synagogue, and broader community. You will define the educational goals and develop the appropriate curriculum as well as direct the early childhood and young family programming within the greater CBI community. You will have the rare opportunity to lead the development of an innovative and new Young Family Center that will provide families with the resources, education, and programming as they start to grow their young families.

The Director of Young Family Learning and Engagement reports to the Rabbi / Executive Educator (‘Rabbi’) and collaborates with other Clergy, the Chief Communal and Executive Officer and Administrative Staff, and Lay Leaders including the Chair of the Chanen Preschool Committee.

The direct reports of the Director include the Chanen Preschool Principal, Preschool Administrator, and potential other support roles

Required Skill Set:
 Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
 Strong organizational/management and collaboration skills.
 A strong sense of self and a high level of emotional maturity.
 Agility with multi-tasking, managing multiple projects, and attention to detail.
 A reliable individual who can work independently but also as part of a team.
 Comfort working in a synagogue and preschool community comprised of many members.

Responsibilities Include but Are Not Limited To:
Leadership
• Support and implement Chanen educational policies and philosophy, including the integration of Jewish practice, language, and values throughout the curriculum.
• Articulate a strong vision for the future of the school, including the development of the Young Family Center
• Maintain all licensing and accreditation requirements/renewals.
• Create goals and expectations for both long- and short-range planning of Chanen programs.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with the Chanen community, promoting Chanen and CBI activities.
• Plan and manage the budget in conjunction with the CCEO.
Staff
• With Principal, recruit, hire, orient, supervise, and provide staff development training for teaching staff.
• Apprise and train staff regarding new developments in early childhood education.
• Monitor and advise teaching staff regarding children with challenging behaviors or learning difficulties.
• Ensure staff communication process with parents daily and weekly.
Children
• Develop and monitor classroom curriculum in conjunction with teachers.
• Implement developmentally appropriate assessment system for children and communicate benchmarks and goals to parents via twice-yearly parent/teacher conferences
• Maintain a referral system for children with special needs.
Parents
• Along with Preschool Committee, plan and implement a calendar of activities for parents with and/or without their children to promote socialization and inclusion.
• Plan and implement orientation program at the beginning of the year for parents.
• Review and update Parent Handbook.
Congregation Beth Israel Responsibilities
• Participate in monthly Preschool Committee meetings.
• Participate in weekly CBI professional staff meetings.
• Partner with clergy and staff to implement programming for Chanen and families
• Help plan agenda for Preschool Committee meetings with Chair.
• Partner with clergy to plan and execute Young Family services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as well as monthly Young Family Shabbat Services
• Coordinate early childhood family involvement in CBI-wide events
Community-wide Responsibilities
• Maintain ongoing involvement with national and regional early childhood associations.
• Attend conferences and workshops relevant to early childhood education.
• Connect with early childhood directors at other local congregations to explore best practices
• Represent CBI and Chanen Preschool in the community to foster relationships, partnerships, and potential families.