Director of Family and Youth Engagement

Temple Isaiah, a reform congregation with approximately 750 households, is seeking a full time Director of Youth and Family Education. Our Religious School has approximately 300 students (Pre-K – 7th grade) and is a vibrant place where formal, informal and family education blend to create community and a strong sense of Jewish identity. Our High School learning program (Grades 8-12) has approximately 50 students and is at the beginning of a renaissance. We are looking for a knowledgeable, experienced, and hard-working professional who is excited about collaborating with staff and laity, leading a dynamic staff of full-time youth, family and education colleagues, and visioning toward the future to continue to create positive Jewish experiences for our students and families. We seek a true senior leader—one who is creative, dynamic, motivating, visionary, empowering, and collaborative—to thoughtfully question what we have, re-imagine, and build a youth and family community that is filled with Jewish learning, joyous practice, and deep connection.

Primary Responsibilities
• Oversee all education and community-building programs for Pre-K through 12th grade
• Working collaboratively with our team and community, set strategy and vision for the future direction of the programs. Lead community and team to the realization of this future direction
• Manage school operations during the hours when Religious School are in session
• Write and/or direct the development and implementation of grade level curriculum for Pre-K – 8th grade in the Religious School
• Create and oversee master calendar for Religious School, Family Education programs, and Makom (Teen Youth Community)
• Communicate with all teachers about school policies, schedules, programs, and events including writing and sending a weekly teacher email
• Work with Inclusion Specialist and School Administrative Assistant to run a robust childhood inclusion program for which the Temple is well recognized and appreciated
• Communicate with parents about relevant programs and events
• Manage the educational budget
• Maintain overall school environment including maintenance requests and making new purchases
• Plan and supervise faculty orientation and meetings
• Oversee religious school trips and overnights
• Provide meaningful teacher development opportunities to religious school faculty

Supervision
• Hire and supervise teachers and oversee teacher contracts
• Supervise the religious school admin assistant
• Supervise a dynamic youth, family, and education team of part-time & full-time staff
• Support all faculty in day-to-day issues like classroom management
• Be supervised by the Senior Rabbi
• Be provided with opportunities for professional growth and mentoring

Safety and Security
• Regularly update school safety and security plans and protocols
• Provide safety training for teachers and madrichim in coordination with the executive director and the Lexington Police Department
• Conduct drills for teaching faculty and students in coordination with the police
• Coordinate with on-site security professionals hired through the administrative office to ensure the safety of students and teachers in the building during Religious School hours
• Train teachers and staff on procedures in case a child is exposed to an allergy

Collaboration
• Work quite closely with the Vice President for Youth Education in all areas, which includes partnering on communications with the Executive Committee and the Board
• Lead and work collaboratively with a cohesive, creative and vital team including the Director of Jewish Journeys (Family Engagement and Pre-B’Mitzvah Engagement), the Director of Inclusion, the Assistant Director of Makom (teen youth community), and the Families with Young Children Coordinator
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Staff colleagues of the Senior Rabbi, the Executive Director, the Cantor, the Associate Rabbi, the Director of Engagement, and the Director of Philanthropy
• Work closely with the Cantor on Religious School worship
• Collaborate with Associate Rabbi on the Confirmation Class Experience
• Work with lay leaders, clergy, and senior staff, to develop and implement an ongoing and evolving vision/mission for youth and family education at Temple Isaiah
• Ensure that youth and family education and engagement is deeply connected to the wider Temple community, and aligned with the Temple’s strategy/vision
• Plan and implement the children’s programs on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur mornings
• Assist clergy with planning consecration on Simchat Torah

Personal Characteristics and Professional Skills
• Demonstrated experience changing, improving, and innovating programs based on community-input
• Commitment to mentoring, professional development and facilitating growth in teachers and madrichim
• Possesses team-building skills, the capacity to instill trust, and the ability to understand and balance the many stakeholders in a congregational community
• Exhibits warmth and passion
• Experience leading Jewish youth education, experiential learning, or comparable programs serving hundreds of members
• Ability to relate sensitively and appropriately to children, teens, teachers and families
• Possesses excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and administrative skills
• Desire to work collaboratively with a broader professional team
• Knowledge of, and experience with, best practice and state-of-the-art Jewish education and community-building approaches
• Experience with Reform Judaism
• Some facility with Hebrew
• Facility with technology
• Ability to manage a large budget
• Advanced degree in Jewish education, education and/or Judaic studies preferred