Seeking Full-time Director of Education

Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center – a vibrant and diverse synagogue that embraces tradition, invites innovation, and inspires participation – seeks a new full-time Director of Education to lead its religious school and lifelong learning initiatives.This is a senior-level Jewish education position, and we are seeking applications from experienced professionals who are passionate about Judaism and Jewish learning. We are looking for an outstanding person to join our congregation’s leadership team beginning on or about July 1, 2024.

While our synagogue is affiliated with the Conservative movement, a significant portion of our members come from Reform or unaffiliated backgrounds. We have many interfaith families, particularly in our religious school. We also have a significant number of Jews by choice who have come through our Adult B’nai Mitzvah and Miller Intro to Judaism classes. We wholeheartedly believe that our diversity makes us stronger, and seek to partner with a Director of Education who will ensure all those who wish to be a part of our sacred community feel welcome and encouraged to participate.

Louis B. Silver Religious School (LBSRS), which currently has 140+ students, is an important part of this wonderfully diverse community. To be successful in the role, the Director of Education must be a collaborative team member and leader, a captivating communicator with an innovative mindset, and a positive contributor who forms meaningful relationships with our children, families, and learners of all ages and backgrounds.

The Director of Education is the educational visionary responsible for the overall leadership, and day-to-day and long-term operation of the religious school and community-wide educational programs. The Director will be responsible for fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment for congregants of all ages, working hand- in-hand with synagogue clergy and lay leadership.

The Director of Education will supervise religious school teachers, the Youth Director, LBSRS Office Assistant, and Team Madrichim (religious school teaching assistants). This is a Senior Staff position that reports to PJTC’s Board of Directors.

Qualifications include:

*Rabbinic or Cantorial ordination preferred. Alternatively, advanced degree and commensurate experience in Education, Judaic Studies, Jewish educational leadership (preferably with a synagogue), Jewish day school, or a Jewish summer camp.
*Extensive knowledge of Jewish history, Tanach, Tefillah, Israel, and Jewish values, ethics, and culture and talent for conveying basic Jewish knowledge with joy and enthusiasm.
*Strong ability in leading Hebrew prayers and teaching Hebrew decoding.
*Experience with curriculum planning and implementation, including Tikkun Olam projects and Jewish holiday programming.
*Experience with integration of technology into the classroom.
*Familiarity with current theories of learning and effective instructional strategies and innovative ideas that will impact youth and adult learners alike.
*Excellent managerial, organizational and interpersonal skills.

Key job responsibilities include:

*Take the leading role in strategic implementation of a vision for the future of the Religious School and lifelong learning.
*Design opportunities, in collaboration with the Senior Rabbi and Adult Education Committee Chair, for joint programming with the wider PJTC community, including families and adult learners.
*Assess current religious school curriculum; further update, develop and/or implement new curriculum, addressing the needs of diverse learners with various skills and backgrounds while ensuring achievement of educational benchmarks
*Manage LBSRS operations including staff hiring, curriculum training, supervision, professional development and evaluation, as well as budget planning and oversight.
*Coordinate and execute youth and family programming for Shabbat and holiday services, including but not limited to the High Holy Days and class Shabbat dinners, in partnership with the Rabbi and Cantor.
*Collaborate with Rabbi, Cantor, and Executive Director in the B’nai Mitzvah preparation process.
*Foster and expand post-B’nai Mitzvah programming to ensure continued youth development, education, and participation.
*Supervise, develop and implement educational programs and Tikkun Olam (“repairing the world” and charitable) activities for youth, staff and teachers.

Additional responsibilities:

*Communicate regularly with students, staff, families, and congregation
*Encourage parent/guardian involvement.
*Supervise upkeep of Education-focused pages of the PJTC website.
*Participate in the planning of, and encourage support for, PJTC fundraising efforts.
*Provide regular written updates to the PJTC Board and attend board meetings.
*Meet monthly with LBSRS Education Committee(s) (advisory) and engage them in policy and practice conversations.

(This is not meant to be a full list of responsibilities.)

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience. Range $90k-$120k. Comprehensive benefits included (health insurance, 403b match, life insurance, paid parental leave, PTO, professional development budget, professional organization fees, monthly cell phone stipend).

Please submit resume, letter of interest, and educational philosophy or personal statement.

About Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center: PJTC is a vibrant 400+ member synagogue affiliated with the Conservative movement that embraces tradition, invites innovation, and inspires participation. We are a diverse congregation of all ages, identities, and family constellations. Our sacred space welcomes all who seek to worship, study, and grow their religious, cultural, and social ties to Judaism. Learn more at pjtc.net.