Family Learning Director for Progressive and Innovative Jewish Community

Family Learning Director

Our Mission
Jewish Gateways is an open and inclusive Jewish community in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area in which wondering and wandering Jews, and our families and friends, can explore and connect with Jewish life outside synagogue walls. Together we discover how Jewish wisdom, spirituality, celebration, and action for justice and compassion can empower us to create more meaningful lives.

Context for This Position

Over 75% of Jews in the East Bay do not belong to a synagogue, and few Jewish families send their children to Jewish preschool. Many Jewish families with children would be interested in connecting with Judaism if they found an environment in which:

• They feel welcomed as their “whole selves.”
• No assumptions are made about their Jewish identity, knowledge, or beliefs.
• They can explore what they find meaningful about Jewish tradition.

The East Bay Jewish community is diverse. One out of every four Jewish households includes a non-White member, and one out of every ten includes an LBGTQ+ member. Of those Jews in the area who are married or partnered, 65% are in an interfaith marriage/partnership.

Jewish Gateways offers family programs in an open environment designed to meet families where they are. We prioritize creating a community of belonging and involving participants in shaping our programs. Many families that participate in Jewish Gateways programs include a non-Jewish parent. Many of the Jewish parents have minimal Jewish knowledge or experience. Some of the families: are multicultural, are bilingual or speak a language other than English at home, include people of color, include immigrants, and/or are LGBTQ+.

Jewish Gateways current family programs are:

• Growing Together: An alternative to Hebrew or Religious School, in which families learn together twice monthly on Shabbat mornings, building community with other families and enabling parents and children to bring their learning home to draw on in day-to-day life.
• Lox and Talks: Soul Food for Parents, which are groups for parents of babies and toddlers to explore ways to draw on Jewish values to enrich their families’ lives while their children play nearby.
• Shabbat in the Park gatherings.
• Holiday celebrations for young children, such as Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, etc., including High Holiday family services and children’s activities.

Job Description

The Family Learning Director is a new position. We seek an experienced Jewish educator who is both a visionary and an astute manager, whose values and approach are aligned with those of Jewish Gateways, and who can continue to create an innovative, structured, inclusive, and comprehensive array of family programs that will reach and involve a greater number and diversity of families.

The Family Learning Director will be responsible for the following.

• Oversee, manage, and expand all family programs, including.
o Recruit, hire, supervise, coach, and evaluate teachers and other staff; create, conduct, and support professional growth activities.
o Develop, oversee, and implement the curriculum in partnership with Jewish Gateways’ rabbi/executive director.
o Build an increased sense of belonging to and responsibility for the community among families in ongoing programs such as Lox & Talks and Growing Together.
o Plan and oversee the integration of the #OnwardHebrew approach to learning Hebrew into Growing Together and B-Mitzvah programs.
o Plan and implement activities for Shabbat, holiday, and other family gatherings.
o Create and oversee program evaluation and implement learnings from evaluations.
o Build and maintain relationships and coordinate communication with program participants.
o Develop and manage a budget for all educational programs. Administer scholarship funds.
o Enlist and involve volunteers in ways that are meaningful for them and for family program participants.
• Deepen vision for and plan and manage Jewish Gateways’ new Open Tent B-Mitzvah program with input from rabbi/executive director and parents. It will offer options for non-traditional bnei mitzvah, involve adult family members, and be part of Growing Together.
• Create and oversee efforts to reach and involve a greater number of participants in our family programs, such as by:
o Working with our marketing consultant to broaden awareness of Jewish Gateways among families not connected with Jewish communities.
o Publicizing family events to the Jewish Gateways community.
o Building and maintaining relationships with prospective participants, such as families that come to one-time events we sponsor or co-sponsor.
o Working with current participants to spread the word through their networks.
• Continue and expand efforts to reach and involve, and to make our programs positive and comfortable places for families that include people of color, are LGBTQ+, low income and/or are single parent families.
• Build partnerships and collaborate with other organizations that serve our target populations.
• Teach and lead activities for children, families, and parents.
• Represent Jewish Gateways in the broader community, such as at meetings, conferences, and other events.

Qualifications
• Minimum of five years of related experience in Jewish education and/or related field.
• Master’s Degree in Jewish Education or related field preferred but not required.
• Experience in creative program development and execution with strong project management and interpersonal skills.
• Passionate about meeting Jews, their family members, and others interested in Judaism “where they’re at” and helping them to discover what they find meaningful.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Jewish traditions and practices, including facility with prayerbook Hebrew.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize varied tasks.
• Dedication to relational leadership driven by values of belonging, kavod (respect), and chesed (compassion).
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and commitment to improving organizational learning and practices related to these issues.
• Enthusiasm for professional reflection and growth.
• Excellent listening skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Can adapt, learn quickly, and be resourceful; flexible and willing to pivot to keep pace with evolving needs.
• Strong and consistent attention to detail.
• Agility with basic computer and online skills.
• Available for flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends.

Reporting and Supervision:

Reports to the rabbi/executive director
Position Available: February 2022
Location: Berkeley, California
Benefits: Medical insurance covering 100% of costs of the employee, retirement plan, paid vacation
Salary Range: $75,000-$90,000 depending on experience

Jewish Gateways is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

Thank you for considering Jewish Gateways. We look forward to hearing from you!