Kehilla School Director Job Announcement

Join us in loving our kids into their most authentic selves

Kehilla Community Synagogue is a Jewish spiritual home for people building a community through tikkun hanefesh (spiritual development), chesed (lovingkindness) and tikkun olam (mending our world).  Through Jewish education, Kehilla School nurtures our kids’ spirits, hearts, minds and bodies in a joyful and compassionate community.  Kehilla is affiliated with Jewish Renewal/Aleph.

Job Title:        Kehilla School Director

Start Date:     June or July 2017

Reports to:    Executive Director (Administrative); Senior Rabbi (Program)

Type:              Part-time, exempt:  62.5% FTE

Job Summary

We’re looking for a Jewish educator who wants to join a community and lead a school that is in alignment with their values and aspirations for a more just and compassionate world.  Kehilla celebrates activism and spiritual practice, and we want our educator to bring their whole self to this work. We’re seeking someone who is inspired to lead and shape a progressive Jewish religious school that is committed to values of community and joyful celebration, and that is actively growing its edges.

The Kehilla School Director directs and administers a supplemental religious school program providing lively Jewish education to students from Kindergarten through 6^th grade. (The Bar/Bat Mitzvah program is currently under separate supervision).

This is a 5/8 time, exempt position (25 hours/week). The current program meets once a week after school and serves about 70 students.

Duties and Essential Job Functions

1. Run a creative, student-centered religious school program for a lively progressive and growing Jewish spiritual community.

The School Director is responsible for:

• Developing the school’s mission and vision (with the Youth Committee).
• Developing strong relationships with school parents and families.
• Guiding spiritual practice, learning and community building for children in large groups, small groups and one-on-one.
• Facilitating relationships between the school community and wider synagogue community.
• Hiring and supervision of school staff, including teachers, madrichim (teen aides) and a part-time school administrative assistant.
• Supporting and nurturing our teachers in their connection to our community.
• Providing opportunities for professional development and growth for the school staff.
• Managing the school calendar and registration.
• Curriculum development, implementation, support and evaluation.
• Running an annual off-site 6th grade weekend retreat.
• Collaborating with the staff of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program (7th grade) to facilitate continuity between programs.
• Developing programs with community partners.
• Developing and managing the school budget.
• Maintaining and developing policies and procedures for the school, including emergency procedures.
• Managing school operations.
• Working with the volunteer Youth Committee made up of school stakeholders.

2. Love the kids

Kehilla School exists to serve our kids, and to provide them with positive experiences of Jewish identity and community, as we nurture them toward self-discovery and compassion for others.

3. Be part of the Kehilla Team

The School Director will join a strong and collaborative team of spiritual leaders, executive and administrative staff and amazing volunteers in leading our community.  The School Director will be part of certain weekly and monthly meetings that tend to the core of Kehilla’s communal life.

What We’re Looking for in Candidates

• Masters degree or equivalent experience, including facility with Jewish text and Hebrew language for spiritual practice. (Masters in Jewish Education, Masters in Education, Masters in Jewish Studies, rabbinic ordination/Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters, or similar professional experience.)
• Minimum three years experience in Jewish education.
• Enjoy leading small and large groups of kids in ritual, learning and exploration of spirituality and justice.
• Leadership experience including program leadership and staff supervision.
• Strong relationship skills, including staff collaboration, parent and student relationships and teacher relationships.
• Strong supervisory, organizational, communication and administrative skills, including budget skills.
• Fluency with social media.
• Alignment with Kehilla’s communal values and activist orientation (please spend some time on our website, and especially check out our work on Israel/Palestine, immigration and economic justice.)
• Alignment with Kehilla’s commitment to healthy and respectful communal conversations and process, and to engaging difficult issues with compassionate listening and other community-building tools.

Trans*/GNC, Queer, People of Color, Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

FTE: $64,000 – $68,000/Actual salary range: $40,000-$42,500

Benefits include prorated health and dental insurance, vacation, holidays and retirement/403(b).

Opportunities for additional income in Kehilla’s other youth programs may be available depending on the candidate’s skills and experience.

Please send a cover letter and resume to Jenny Wong, Search Committee Chair, at schoolsearch@kehillasynagogue.org.  First round interviews set to begin in February 2017.