Religious School Principal

Requirements:
A degree in Jewish Education, Education, or an advanced degree in a similar field
A minimum of five years of relevant work
Experience in a religious school, Jewish Day School, Jewish Youth Group, or Jewish Summer Camp
Experience with ShulCloud or similar customer management software (CMS)
Experience using the Google Suite
Excellent programming, organizational and communication skills, including experience communicating with parents, students, instructors, clergy, lay leadership, and congregations
Strong leadership skills

A Little About Beth El
Beth El Congregation is a forward thinking egalitarian congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement, made up of 1600 families. At Beth El we dive into new experiences, embrace different perspectives, and expand our horizons. We support each other in expressing our Jewish individualities, pushing our spiritual boundaries, and delighting in unexpected discoveries. We’re haimish to be sure, but we’re so much more than “warm and welcoming” — we’re on a journey of mutual growth together. On staff we have three rabbis, two cantors, and a wonderfully diverse professional team.

Job Description
The Religious School Director will have oversight of the following:

• Administration of the Religious School and connected experiential learning experiences
• Family and holiday education programming
• Teen programming
• B’nai mitzvah process

Our newest teammate will work with us to create a culture of supplementary religious education that continues through high school and responds to the learner’s background and needs. They will be responsible for driving and managing the growth of the religious school, ensuring that comprehensive systems are in place to encourage and support that growth. The Director will foster meaningful connections with the faculty, students, and their families, beginning in early childhood and continuing through high school.

We also look to our new Director to have a role within the greater synagogue community, having a presence at congregational programs and events, Shabbat services (when appropriate), and as an integral member of the senior leadership team.

Description of the Ideal Candidate
We are seeking a creative, thoughtful, and hands-on educator invested in the Jewish living and learning. We seek a leader who loves to teach and mentor and can communicate a passion for Jewish education that is inspiring and energizing for our growing community. We are looking for a strong manager with exceptional communication and organizational skills. We want someone who knows how to hire well, lead a staff, resolve conflicts, and make hard decisions when necessary. It is critical that the educator be a team player, have strong interpersonal skills, and know how to relate to and meaningfully connect with students, parents and teachers.

Finally, our Director will partner with clergy, staff, and lay leaders, as we continue to serve the Beth El community. As a team we are working to instill a customer service centric environment. We recognize that becoming an inclusive Jewish community is an ongoing process and one that we are committed to achieving. Our director will have an important role in this work.

Religious School Director Responsibilities

• Create and reimagine a curriculum for ages 3-13 (including Hebrew, Judaic Studies and Israel education) in collaboration with the clergy and faculty.
• Work closely with one of our talented cantors to ensure that all students in grades 4-7 are achieving:
• Prayer fluency
• Synagogue skills
• Attend monthly Board of Directors’ meetings and annual meetings and provide reports as requested to the Beth El Board.
• Serve as a member of the religious school committee and provide reports when requested.

Family and Holiday Programming

• Develop a robust family program, in which Judaism is infused in family life.
• Create, plan, and implement family services, student-led services/Junior Congregation, class programs, youth group programs, holiday programs, school-wide programs, field trips, retreats, and special events in collaboration with clergy, faculty and staff.
• Work with clergy to lead innovative Shabbat and High Holiday youth programs and services

B’Nai Mitzvah

• Help us reimagine the b’nai mitzvah process
• Collaborate with cantor and rabbi on the b’nai mitzvah education program, including community building activities and family education opportunities.
• Support the b’nei mitzvah program by attending b’nai mitzvah on behalf of the religious school and/or designating a representative to attend on behalf of the religious school.

Administration and Communication

• Oversee the administration and management of the religious school, youth programs, registration, class schedules, special events, marketing, and safety regulations.
• In consultation with senior staff, develop and maintain the calendar of the religious school programs.
• Manage and coordinate, with support from the Marketing and Communications team, internal and external communication with clergy, staff, parents, students, teachers, and congregants.
• Communicate weekly events to staff and provide setup needs to the Logistic Team.
• Organize outside transportation and other logistical support for religious school events. Maintain confidential files that include student data and reports.

Supervision

• Supervise the full time administrative assistant for the religious school.
• Hire, train, and supervise/evaluate school faculty and staff.
• Conduct regular lesson plan reviews.
• Negotiate and provide a contract/letter of intent for teachers that includes salary, teaching schedule, and responsibilities during and outside of class hours.
• Observe teachers periodically (both formally and informally) and provide guidance on issues related to instruction, assessment, and classroom management.
• Create, conduct, and support orientation programs, training seminars, programming meetings, and meaningful professional development opportunities for faculty.
• Maintain personnel files that include contracts, payroll and evaluations.

Budget

• Work with the Finance Director to prepare and manage the annual budget for religious school and youth programming. Our budget is a statement of our values as an organization.
• Collaborate with the Development Director to advise parents on scholarships and other funds available to support Jewish education and programming.
• Oversee collection, accounting, and distribution of tzedakah funds collected during class.
• Write grant proposals for enhanced programming.

Community Outreach

• Coordinate with the Preschool Leadership Team in an effort to provide opportunities for young families to learn about the religious school.
• Participate in professional organizations and communal initiatives

Team and Reporting Structure

• The Religious School Director reports to a member of our Rabbinic team, with a dotted line to the Executive Director.
• The Director supervises a full time administrative assistant, and is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising/evaluating school faculty, staff, youth group advisors, and madrichim.

Hours
The position requires 40 to 50 hours per week with one day off during the work week. Evening and weekend programming will be required from time to time, along with the expectation that the Director will take comp time. Remote work availability is determined by the supervisor of the Religious School Director.

Salary and Benefits
$95,000 - $105,000
Generous paid time off (PTO)
Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
Professional dues and conference budget