POSTED ON June 03, 2026

Downtown Administrator & Assistant to the Clergy

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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 3,600 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 130 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: Central Synagogue.

Job Summary / Objective

Central is seeking a seasoned administrator who will work closely with our downtown staff and support our two rabbis (“Downtown Rabbi” & “Director of 20s/30s Programming”). This individual will provide high level administrative and logistical support to the downtown campus, including the religious school (LCLJ); Shabbat and holiday services; and programming for families, 20s/30s and older adults.

This position will also provide direct support to our rabbis, including but not limited to calendar management, travel and expense reporting. The position requires this individual to be a strong multi-tasker and an independent problem-solver, have excellent communication and project-management skills, work well under supervision and be extremely organized.

This position requires strong judgment in prioritizing demands, attention to detail, ability to multitask, and clear communication as well as collaboration across departments. Given the nature of synagogue work, a great deal of flexibility, resiliency, and a ‘can-do’ attitude are essential as we work to address the needs of a community that is growing and evolving quickly.

Details

• Date: May, 2026
• Reports to: Downtown Rabbi
• Department Hours: Full-time, non-exempt and eligible for OT

School Year Schedule

• Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Tuesday–Thursday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Occasional evening or weekend work required
• Hybrid schedule: 1 weekday remote, 4 weekdays in office

Summer Schedule

• Monday–Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Friday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Must be available to work during High Holy Days and other special events. Availability after hours, on weekends, and holidays may be required.

Essential Duties & Key Responsibilities

Administrative

• Coordinates logistical aspects of all downtown programs (space reservations, setup, food, A/V, etc.)
• Organizes and distributes communications for all downtown programs
• Maintains downtown staff office
• Orders necessary supplies for programs and office
• Reconciles credit card usage for Central Downtown
• Provides logistical support for programs (signs, snacks, guest coordination, etc.)
• Understands synagogue goals, policies, and procedures
• Maintains awareness of departmental dynamics and relationships

Clergy Assistant

• Provides administrative support to Downtown Clergy (calendar, expenses, travel)
• Coordinates and schedules meetings aligned with synagogue goals
• Manages communications and responds independently when appropriate
• Collaborates with colleagues and provides coverage during high workload periods
• Performs general administrative tasks using Salesforce and other tools

Core Competencies

• High integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and reliability
• Strong independent judgment
• Excellent attention to detail and execution
• Collaborative team player
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible, proactive, and solutions-oriented
• Professional and positive demeanor
• Ability to work under pressure calmly
• Strong email and phone etiquette

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5–7+ years of administrative experience (senior executive support preferred)
• High computer literacy (Microsoft Office required)
• Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM preferred
• Familiarity with Zoom and Microsoft Teams a plus
• Interest in synagogue life and Jewish practices helpful but not required

Other Duties

This description outlines general responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Management reserves the right to modify duties as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected annual salary range for this position is $50,000 – $70,000. Central Synagogue offers a comprehensive benefits package. Compensation is based on experience, skills, education, and other relevant factors. This range represents a good faith estimate at the time of posting.

Note: Due to Central’s hiring policy, synagogue members are not eligible for staff roles.