POSTED ON February 14, 2024

LCLJ (Religious School) Educator - Full-time - 2024-2025 Academic Year

Our Vision

Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 2,800 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. It has long played a significant role in the national Reform movement and is known for its innovation and leadership in worship, leading to a greatly expanded audience over the last two decades.

Central Synagogue works toward a world in which Judaism is core to the lives of Central members and Jews everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity. Central continually redefines what it means to be Jewish today, both within the Synagogue community and far beyond the Synagogue’s walls. The diverse clergy and professional team work hard, in collaboration with lay leadership, to build deep and enduring relationships among Central members, creating a caring, dynamic, and joyful community.

Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. The Synagogue encourages participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of its sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Central is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community.

The Synagogue is well resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/.

Job Summary/Objective

The Synagogue will employ you as a full-time Educator in The Lese Center for Living Judaism. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, classroom teaching, family and parent education, social justice programming, social and holiday programming, field trips and other off-site programs, and communication with parents and other stakeholders.

The full-time educator program at Central is a unique job in the Jewish world. It is a combination of teaching in the afternoons, and planning, programming, and administrative work in the mornings. You will work on a team of educators, who each have their own portfolio, but collaborate with one another in many aspects of the work. This is the prefect job for someone who sees themselves in a career in education (formal or informal) or clergy, or someone who is looking for something meaningful to do before their next steps. You will have a real chance to influence the Jewish identity of children and families in our school, while also honing your skills as an educator and an educational administrator. We are committed to helping you grow and develop as a professional, both within Central Synagogue and as you think about your long-term career goals. Our former full-time educators have gone on to successful careers as Directors of Education, Rabbis, Cantors, Camp Directors and Assistant Directors, classroom teachers, and many other roles. We are looking for educators who are passionate about passing Jewish values, practices, and ideas on to the next generation and helping children and families find their Jewish path.

Hours

Full-time; Exempt and not eligible for OT; This position is fully in person.

General hours of employment will be determined by the Director of the LCLJ and will include all hours when school is in session as well as evenings, weekends, and holidays during which family engagement opportunities are scheduled. Your general hours when school is in session will be 10:00 am or 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm or 7:45 pm Monday through Thursday depending on your portfolio assignments. Friday hours will either be 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm or through the end of Friday evening programming, or off days depending upon weekend programming schedules. Additionally, you will be expected to work during two weekends per month. Please note that you are expected to work at least one of the High Holy Days. When school is not in session and the office is open your hours will be consistent with our general operating hours.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Functions include but are not limited to:

• Planning, implementing and assessment of curriculum and programs for students;
• Teaching and engaging students each afternoon;
• Ongoing evaluation of student achievement in Hebrew and Judaic studies;
• Regular communication with parents;
• Family programming including Holidays, Shabbat and other programs during the week and on approximately 2 weekends each month;
• Involvement in broader synagogue programming;
• Ongoing engagement with staff and congregants to foster a greater sense of Jewish community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Master’s degree a plus)
• A minimum of 2 years of previous leadership experience preferred (including teaching, camp staff, youth group advisor, etc.)
• Excellent organizational and communication skills (oral, written and interpersonal)
• Knowledge of and experience with social media
• Solid Jewish background, literacy, and Hebrew language decoding and reading
• Dedication to teaching and experience working with children
• Passion for Judaism and Jewish education
• Strong work ethic, flexibility in schedule
• Familiarity with Reform Judaism
• Strong mentorship skills with children
• Ability to manage a classroom
• Experience with song leading and t'fillah a plus
• Familiarity with Project Based Learning a plus

Other Duties:

Please note that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The starting salary for this position is $55K with opportunities for additional commensurate with experience. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community. The salary is commensurate with experience based on several factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience. The above salary range represents the Synagogue’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation range at the time of posting.

Additional Information:

Central Synagogue requires all staff members (full-time AND part-time) to (a) provide proof of vaccination and booster against COVID-19 or (b) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation. If you are offered employment this requirement must be met by your hire date unless a reasonable accommodation for exemption is received and approved.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should send your cover letter, resume and three references to [email protected] and indicate your name and position title – Full-Time Jewish Educator in the subject line.