Director of Jewish Life

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy is a pluralistic Jewish day school for students in grades 6 –12. Located in Bryn Mawr, PA (metropolitan Philadelphia), Barrack is the premier Jewish day school in the Delaware Valley, attracting students from Philadelphia and its suburbs, Allentown, southern New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware. The school integrates a comprehensive and rigorous college preparatory curriculum with the teaching of essential Jewish and American values and texts. Guided by our four Derech Eretz values of Honor/כבוד, Moral Courage/אומץ לב, Kindness/חסד and Community/קהילה, Barrack values diversity, celebrates the richness of Judaism's language, culture, and history, and is strongly connected to Israel. Barrack prepares future leaders of the American, Jewish and global communities who work for a better world through acts of justice and compassion.

Barrack seeks a full-time inspiring, dynamic, and passionate Director of Jewish Life to vision and oversee experiential Jewish education for grades 6-12 beginning in Summer 2024. This is a great role for an individual who enjoys working with middle and high school students, is creative and energetic, and is able to work on multiple projects at any given time. The Director of Jewish Life is an integral member of the larger school community, and as such, will work with all students and faculty, and in regular collaboration and partnership with the Student Life and Activities Coordinator, an Israel Shaliach, the Director of Jewish Studies, and the Upper and Middle School Directors.

Barrack is a community that brings together students of various Jewish backgrounds. The ideal candidate will be committed to the growth of every student within the Barrack community. To learn more about our community, and our programs, please visit our website.

Responsibilities of the role include, but may not be limited to, the following:

Vision, oversee, and participate in the Jewish Life experience at Barrack
Serve as leader (with students and faculty, dependent on program) for holiday programming, Shabbatonim, grade-level and school-wide Jewish life programs
Coordinate and work with appropriate administrators and faculty to envision and lead tefillah program
Organize community service/service learning and hesed programming and trips
Teach Jewish Studies and/or elective courses, including oversight and leadership of the JLI (Jewish Leadership Initiative) program, a special course and program for a select group of 11th and 12th graders
Work in partnership with and support work of both Israel shaliach and Student Life and Activities Coordinator (and plan/lead shared programs as appropriate)
Serve as a mentor to students of all grades and backgrounds in inspiring them on their own Jewish journeys (including acting as a mashgiach ruchani, if one’s background qualifies a candidate for this responsibility)
Serve as an advisor to a group of students (meets weekly)
Provide support, as needed, to both the B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator and Kashrut Educator
Represent the school in the larger community at events such as Open Houses, parlor meetings, volunteer opportunities, and more
Coordinate and create educational opportunities for students through outreach and partnerships in the community
Administratively, manage the Jewish Life budget and serve on the calendar committee

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a background in experiential Jewish educational settings along with the following qualities and qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or higher, with background in experiential Jewish Education (camp, youth group, or immersive trips), Rabbinic Ordination, or a related field
Outgoing, friendly, kind, joyful, energetic
Ability to inspire and engage young people in programs and conversation
Well-organized, excellent time-management skills, and ability to handle multiple projects at one time
A “people person” who works collaboratively while building a shared sense of community among students, faculty, and staff
Passionate about Jewish education and the values of a klal Yisrael education and community
Classroom teaching experience or relevant experience
Sense of humor, enjoys working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and ability to be flexible
Loves working with students

Salary is commensurate with background and experience.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Debra Nathans at dnathans@jbha.org