Employer: American Jewish University

Job Title: Senior Rabbi and Director of Jewish Education, Maas Center for Jewish Journeys

Status: Full-Time/Exempt

Hours: 35 Hours

Salary: $130,000-160,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Supervisor: Vice President for Jewish Engagement, Director of the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys

ABOUT THE MAAS CENTER

The Maas Center for Jewish Journeys at American Jewish University creates transformative, accessible experiences in both digital and physical spaces. Through a wide range of inclusive programs, the Maas Center empowers individuals to explore Jewish identity and practice in ways that are personally meaningful.

Flagship offerings include:

• Miller Introduction to Judaism Program – The most successful Jewish introduction course in the United States, serving more than 1,000 learners annually through AJU and more than 90 affiliated partner institutions.
• The Partnership Project (Marriage for Life) – A retreat-based relationship enrichment program supporting couples building Jewish homes.
• The Community Mikvah – Southern California’s only pluralistic community Mikvah, offering ritual immersion, monthly programming, and life-transition support since 1981.
• The Origin Story – A digital initiative supporting individuals exploring Jewish identity through ancestry, family history, and personal discovery.

Together these initiatives create a cohesive ecosystem of Jewish learning and engagement that supports individuals entering Jewish life and deepening their connection to Jewish practice.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

American Jewish University, based in Los Angeles, seeks a Senior Rabbi and Director of Jewish Education for the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys. The Maas Center is a vital component of AJU’s mission of fostering inclusive Jewish communities and guiding individuals through meaningful Jewish journeys. Through innovative educational programming and national partnerships, the Maas Center creates accessible entry points into Jewish life for people exploring identity, tradition, and belonging.

The Senior Rabbi and Director of Jewish Education serves as a senior rabbinic and educational leader within the Maas Center. In partnership with the Vice President for Jewish Engagement, this role helps steward the educational vision of the Center’s programs, particularly the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program.

The Director provides rabbinic guidance to individuals exploring Jewish life and conversion, leads curriculum and educator development, and ensures the educational excellence of programs delivered both through AJU and a growing national network of affiliated institutions.

This role serves as a senior thought partner to the Vice President for Jewish Engagement in shaping the educational vision and long-term growth of the Maas Center’s programs.

The Director collaborates closely with the Vice President for Jewish Engagement and Operations team to ensure that educational priorities, program implementation, and program growth remain aligned as the Center continues to expand nationally.

This position offers an opportunity to shape one of the most significant entry points into Jewish life in North America. The Senior Rabbi and Director of Jewish Education will play a central role in guiding the next phase of the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program and helping expand the Maas Center’s impact nationally while maintaining the educational integrity and pastoral care that define its work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides rabbinic and educational leadership across Maas Center initiatives, supporting individuals exploring Jewish identity, Jewish learning, and conversion pathways.
• Serves as a primary rabbinic guide for students participating in the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, meeting with individuals navigating Jewish journeys and offering pastoral guidance around Jewish practice and lifecycle transitions.
• Provides rabbinic and halachic guidance to the AJU Community Mikvah, working closely with the Mikvah Manager to address complex ritual questions and sensitive participant situations.
• Partners with the Vice President for Jewish Engagement to steward the educational vision and pedagogical integrity of Maas Center programs.
• Leads curriculum development and educator training for the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program and related initiatives.
• Provides leadership for the Miller affiliate network, supporting rabbis and educators who teach the curriculum within their own communities and ensuring strong educational standards as the program continues to grow.
• Mentors and supports a national network of educators through teacher training, workshops, and ongoing faculty development.
• Supervises Maas Center program staff, including the Maas Center Coordinator and future program staff as the Center expands.
• Works collaboratively with the Vice President for Jewish Engagement and Operations team to ensure program logistics and implementation support educational priorities.
• Represents the Maas Center within the broader Jewish educational and communal landscape and teaches Miller courses as needed.

GOALS FOR THE POSITION

• Strengthen and steward the educational vision of the Maas Center for Jewish Journeys in partnership with the Vice President for Jewish Engagement.
• Maintain the high level of educational quality and integrity that has made the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program a nationally recognized leader in adult Jewish education.
• Support and expand a national network of rabbis and educators delivering the Miller curriculum through affiliated institutions.
• Develop thoughtful and supportive pathways for individuals entering Jewish life through learning, exploration, and conversion.
• Contribute to the continued growth and innovation of Maas Center programs as AJU expands its national reach.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION

• Rabbinic ordination required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in Jewish education, congregational leadership, or Jewish communal leadership.
• The ability to speak conversational Spanish would be beneficial but is not required.
• Demonstrated expertise in adult Jewish education, curriculum design, and educator development.
• Experience mentoring educators, supervising faculty, or leading educational initiatives.
• Experience serving as a pulpit rabbi, educator rabbi, or Jewish communal leader, with familiarity navigating synagogue life and working with rabbis and lay leadership.
• Strong knowledge of Jewish practice, lifecycle traditions, and conversion processes.
• Strong pastoral presence and ability to guide individuals exploring Jewish identity and belonging.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex educational initiatives with strong organizational discipline and attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and contribute to the continued growth of a national program.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, but only after full disclosure by the applicant.

• With or without assistance: ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; ability to move freely around campus and other locations
• Ability to communicate both in person and by telephone; ability to speak clearly; mental capacity to make decisions and follow through with directions.
• Ability to follow safety and security practices.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach and grasp as required to perform responsibilities.
• Ability to perform repetitive keyboard and computer mouse functions.

This may not be all inclusive and responsibilities may change over time.