Director of Youth Engagement

Temple Kol Ami, a vibrant 400 family Reform Jewish congregation in Scottsdale, AZ, is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Youth Engagement to oversee all Kindergarten through 12th-grade youth and family programs. This full-time role is responsible for directing the Religious School, teen programs, and youth groups, fostering an inclusive, engaging, and meaningful Jewish educational experience for nearly 300 children and teens. This position will manage a predominately all-volunteer teaching staff. Our education programs include Jewish identity and knowledge, prayer and B’nai Mitzvah training, social justice programming, Hebrew literacy, Israel programming and more.

The Director of Youth Engagement will work closely with clergy, lay leaders, educators, and families to create a positive Jewish environment that supports the spiritual, social, and emotional growth of young congregants. The ideal candidate is a creative and dynamic leader who excels in program development, community building, and nurturing relationships across all age groups. The Director is a key member of our senior staff.
Key Responsibilities:
• Religious School Leadership (K-12):
o Oversee and manage all aspects of the Religious School, including curriculum development, teacher recruitment and training, classroom management, and parent communication.
o Ensure that the Religious School curriculum aligns with Reform Jewish values and promotes Hebrew literacy, Jewish history, culture, and traditions.
o Develop a welcoming and nurturing environment for students of all abilities and backgrounds.
• Youth and Family Programming:
o Design and implement innovative, age-appropriate programming for K-12 students that engages them in Jewish life, including Shabbat, holiday celebrations, social action projects, and family events.
o Foster connections between families, providing opportunities for multigenerational involvement in synagogue life.

Teen Programming:
o Direct and grow teen engagement through youth group activities, leadership development, social programs, retreats, and travel experiences.
o Create opportunities for teens to build leadership skills, explore their Jewish identity, and develop strong connections with peers.
o Work with local Jewish educational partners on communal programming.

• Community Building:
o Cultivate meaningful relationships with youth, parents, and congregational members.
o Engage new and existing families through outreach and personal connections.
o Serve as a role model, mentor, and Jewish educator for the temple's youth.
• Administration & Communication:
o Design & coordinate registration, logistics, marketing, and communication for youth and family programs, including newsletters, email, and social media.
o Collaborate with clergy and other temple staff to integrate youth and family programming into the larger congregational life.
o Participate in weekly senior staff meeting.
o Manage program budgets and apply for grants or other funding opportunities as needed.
Qualifications
A successful candidate will have experience with youth programs in a Jewish setting, along with strong organization and leadership skills
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree required (Jewish, education, or related field preferred).
• Experience in Jewish education, youth programming, or related roles.
• Strong knowledge of Reform Jewish traditions, values, and education.
• Creative, dynamic, and joyful approach to developing engaging programs, fostering community and managing volunteers.
• Criminal Background clearance.
• Proficiency in technology, including social media platforms, educational software, and communication tools.
Preferred:
• A self-starter who can work both collaboratively and independently.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Jewish camp or youth group experience
• Flexibility, accuracy, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines.
• Musical or theatrical talents for enhancing programming (e.g., leading songs, Purim spiels).
• Ability to read, decode or teach prayerbook hebrew.
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising.
•
Compensation, Benefits and Hours: Salary: 65-80K DOE
Full Time, Exempt employee.
The position requires 40-50 hours per week with one day off. Includes Shabbat, holiday, weekend and evening programming hours. Some travel. Hours are flexible based on office and/or program needs.
Employee benefits offered medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans, LTD, professional development allowance, PTO and sick time, complimentary Temple membership, paid Federal and Jewish Holidays as stated in employee handbook.
** Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, while women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to this field, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to transition, or to take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
Other duties may be assigned, and duties may change from time to time. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The employee is able to perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Interested parties may email the following items to post-678af031178ad2b042834007-1737158985@apply.jewishstaffing.com:
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Letter of recommendation (optional)