Religious School Director at Vibrant Northern Westchester, NY Reform Congregation

Temple Shaaray Tefila of Northern Westchester

Religious School Director

Job Description

The Religious School at Temple Shaaray Tefila has a long-established reputation as an exemplary program that attracts families from communities throughout Northern Westchester. In recent years, we have experienced a decline in temple membership and religious school enrollment and we are now at a critical transitional phase as a congregation and as a religious school. We are seeking an experienced Religious School Director to work in partnership with our clergy, our staff, our synagogue lay leadership, the Religious School Task Force, our faculty, and a very committed family base. We are seeking a visionary leader to facilitate, in partnership with all stakeholders, a progressive and innovative curriculum that ignites the love and joy of Judaism and return Shaaray to our former status as the premier religious school of choice for families throughout our geographic region.

Shaaray Tefila is seeking a leader who embraces the core values of a Jewish education. We are looking for an Educator Director with experience in developing in students an appreciation for Jewish traditions, history, and modern Israel, and with knowledge of best practices in the teaching of Hebrew. This individual needs to be able to thread the core values of tzedakah and social action throughout the curriculum as social action lies at the very heart of Shaaray.

The Religious School Director will be responsible for crafting and executing an engaging, experiential, and meaningful curriculum. We want our children to look forward to attending a religious school where they will interact and forge robust relationships with their teachers and their peers. We are in search of a visionary leader who will inspire faculty to develop learning experiences that are innovative, relevant, and incorporate contemporary methodologies. The Religious School Director should be able to attract, support, develop, and retain qualified faculty and staff. We seek a leader who will collaborate with parents as true partners in the religious school education of their children. Additionally, we are eager to grow opportunities for creative and celebratory family involvement in their child's Jewish education.

This is an exciting time in our religious school's continuous growth and development. We are seeking an educational administrator who is eager to grow us and grow with us.

Core Responsibilities

Develop vision, goals, and a strong curriculum for the Religious School. This includes providing high-quality and engaging learning experiences in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive school environment for Jewish education. Ensure the development of a curriculum that is current, modern, and reflects innovative lesson and unit design. Establish current best practices including the integration of technology.

Design a long range financial plan and annual budget process in coordination with the executive director and feedback from the Board and Religious School Task Force.

Provide guidance and feedback on a long-term and weekly basis for the faculty. Facilitate curriculum development and opportunities for professional learning. Work with faculty to acquire the tools necessary for effective teaching and learning.

Foster teacher and parent partnerships in meeting the needs of all learners. Provide and support appropriate interventions to ensure an inclusive learning environment.

Participate in professional organizations and networks of Jewish educators and directors (e.g. ARJE).

Organize and develop programming with the rabbi, cantor, and music specialist to provide meaningful and interactive experiences for students.

Serve as an ambassador to our Religious School. Communicate and celebrate students' successes and programming with our general congregation. Collaborate with our Director of Early Childhood Education and families in that program to provide a smooth transition to our religious school. Communicate with prospective member families to introduce the school's vision, mission, and goals.

Utilize the support of the Religious School Task Force for programs, connections, and enhanced family engagement. Maintain regularly scheduled communications with families to inform, engage, and celebrate the Religious School curriculum, special programs, and student successes.

Collaborate with our B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator to ensure that there is a smooth and strong bridge between the Religious School and the B'nai Mitzvah Curriculum.

Develop programming, in coordination with the Teen Director and other appropriate personnel, to inspire our post-B'nai Mitzvah students to stay active and engaged in our congregational life. Partner with the rabbi and cantor in developing a robust confirmation program for our teens. Oversee the madrichim and study-buddy program to encourage our teens to serve as role models to the students in our Religious School.

Additional Information

No Candidate will have all the skills listed, please consider applying if you feel you have a combination of these skills and other experiences unique to you.

Qualifications :

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in Religious School Administration
• Master's degree in Jewish Education, Education or advanced degree in a similar field desired
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Experience with ShulCloud or similar CSR software
• Technology skills including Microsoft or Google office suites
• Ability to work a varied schedule including evenings and weekends

Team:

• PT Assistant Director for administration

• Faculty

• Music Director

• Teen Center Director and Assistant Director

• Clergy - interim rabbi for July 24-June 25, (status: offer made)

• Board of Trustees

• Executive Director

• Religious School Task Force

• Early Childhood Director

• B'nai Mitzvah tutors

• Custodial Staff

Congregational Strengths

• A Reform Jewish congregation with a traditional spirit
• Dedicated and involved membership
• Vibrant Tikkun Olam Program
• Longstanding partnerships and connections to Israel
• Draws membership from many communities in Northern Westchester
• Multigenerational and diverse membership
• Beautiful 10-acre campus

Location:

• There are many cultural and recreational opportunities in the community i.e. Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, Katonah Museum, Neuberger Art Museum, Ward Pound Ridge Hiking Reservation, Westmorland Sanctuary
• Proximity to NYC offers an enormous variety of cultural, educational and entertainment experiences.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of $110,000+ based on experience
• Generous paid time off (PTO) of 4 weeks
• Medical, FSA
• Retirement plan via the RPB - 10% of salary contributed year 1, 15% thereafter
• Professional dues and conference budget

Statement of Equal Opportunity:

Temple Shaaray Tefila is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an accepting and inclusive environment for all employees. The Temple does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Temple Shaaray Tefila Mission Statement:

Temple Shaaray Tefila is a Reform Jewish congregation with a traditional spirit. We sustain our Kehila Kedosha through Jewish wisdom, Jewish learning, Jewish living, and relationships. We celebrate, teach, and observe the worthiest values and ideals of our Jewish tradition: Torah, mitzvah, and tzedakah. In doing so, we connect our members and their families to the greater Jewish community, and to Israel. Temple Shaaray Tefila is a warm and vibrant Jewish community that prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive community welcoming people of all colors, sexual orientations, and identifications.