Executive Director

About Beth Am

Beth Am is an urban, egalitarian synagogue affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. As a warm, child-friendly, diverse congregation of about 430 families, we welcome interfaith families, Jews of Color, and LGBTQ+ Jews.

Located in Baltimore City, Beth Am is deeply rooted in the Reservoir Hill neighborhood, where we work closely with our neighbors as an anchor institution committed to justice and community partnership. Our congregants actively live out their Jewish values through service, advocacy, and engagement in the wider city, nation, and world.

In addition to offering Friday night and Saturday morning shabbat services and robust holiday programming, we operate a 'Jewish Discovery Lab' Hebrew School, and offer specialized opportunities to learn and find community for families with small children and adults of all ages.

Our Mission

To seek Jewish responses to life’s biggest questions. To foster sacred community in Reservoir Hill. To pursue justice in Baltimore and beyond.

Our Values and Vision

At Beth Am, Jews and their loved ones gather to engage in meaningful community building and discovery. As an intergenerational community of seekers, we draw on the depth and rootedness of the Jewish textual tradition. We value opportunities to connect with the ineffable oneness our tradition calls God. We embrace healthy skepticism but resist cynicism as we lead lives of curiosity and relevance.

As a do-it-yourself congregation in an historic urban synagogue, we have a deep sense of connection to place. We align our synagogue’s thriving with the well-being of our neighbors and the flourishing of our neighborhood. Our location in an historically Jewish and majority Black community motivates us to build relationships with our neighbors, work to dismantle systemic racism, and pursue justice for our city, country, and planet.

We welcome newcomers with open arms. As a “House of the People,” we are an assembly of generations gathering in shared spaces to joyfully explore life’s journey in sacred fellowship. We seek ways to map our ancient texts and traditions onto the 21st century’s most pressing challenges. In so doing, we seek the universal expression of particular Jewish ideals and values.

Beth Am members interact with our shul in various ways. When we gather, we cherish each other’s company, savor good food, laugh together, or enjoy the creative arts. When we daven, we take comfort in familiar melodies and also value the infusion of new tunes and approaches that shake us from complacency. When we advocate, organize, and march for justice, we do so with passion and purpose.

Position Summary

Beth Am seeks an experienced, collaborative, and highly organized Executive Director to provide operational, financial, administrative, and strategic leadership for our synagogue community.

The Executive Director is responsible for the effective management of Beth Am’s recently renovated, 100-year-old synagogue and newly constructed office building; oversight of core administrative and operational functions; management of staff, vendors, and contractors; and implementation of policies and strategic priorities established by synagogue leadership.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and works in close partnership with the Senior Rabbi, Executive Committee, clergy, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers. This role requires sound judgment, discretion, flexibility, empathy, and the ability to navigate both routine operations and sensitive interpersonal situations with professionalism and grace.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

The Executive Director serves as a senior professional leader of the congregation and a thought partner to the Senior Rabbi, Executive Committee, Board, staff, and lay leaders. Key senior staff partners include the Director of Youth and Family Education and the Director of Congregational Engagement and Programming.

Responsibilities include:

• Partnering with synagogue leadership to help formulate and implement Beth Am’s strategic direction

• Leading the implementation of strategic initiatives approved by the Board, including initiatives related to financial sustainability, member engagement, lifelong learning, youth and family education, ritual and prayer, neighborhood engagement, and social justice

• Translating leadership priorities into clear operational plans, staff responsibilities, timelines, and measurable outcomes

• Supporting clergy, lay leaders, committees, and volunteers with the systems, information, and staff support needed to advance Beth Am’s mission

Financial Management and Budget Ownership

The Executive Director owns the creation, oversight, and management of Beth Am’s annual operating budget in partnership with lay leadership, senior clergy, staff, and Beth Am’s outsourced accounting provider.

Responsibilities include:

• Administering the annual budget and managing expenses with discipline and care

• Supporting timely collection of membership dues and other revenues

• Identifying and communicating financial risks, operational issues, and opportunities for improvement

• Supporting fundraising planning and execution through accurate reporting, data management, and coordination with clergy, staff, and lay leaders

Day-to-day financial operations are outsourced, but the Executive Director is expected to maintain strong oversight of financial processes, data accuracy, reporting, and controls.

Membership, Development, and Community Relations

The Executive Director plays a central role in the experience of current and prospective members. This includes ensuring that congregants feel welcomed, respected, and well served in their interactions with the synagogue.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing administration of congregational membership dues, including special arrangements

• Interacting with current and prospective members on matters ranging from routine administrative questions to sensitive financial or personal conversations

• Supporting timely and accurate responses to member requests

• Serving as an active member of the development leadership team, alongside the Senior Rabbi and lay leaders, contributing to strategy, and donor stewardship

• Providing staff support for development reporting, communications, and stewardship

• Overseeing administrative support for fundraising efforts, including the Open Doors Annual Fund, Carob Tree Endowment, and Potts Legacy Society

Programs, Events, and Synagogue Operations

The Executive Director is responsible for the operational oversight and administration of Beth Am’s programs, services, school, events, and activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing operational support for worship services, Jewish Discovery Lab (Sunday & Wednesday school), community programming, committee activities, and special events

• Ensuring that clergy, educators, volunteers, and lay leaders have the logistical and administrative support needed to run successful programs

• Managing staff processes, technology systems, vendor relationships, and facilities support to ensure smooth day-to-day operations

• Maintaining effective systems for scheduling, communications, registration, reporting, and event execution

• Attending most worship services, relevant committee meetings, and program events

Facilities, Vendors, and Technology

The Executive Director oversees the maintenance, security, use, and operation of Beth Am’s synagogue and office building.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing the ongoing maintenance and operation of Beth Am’s physical facilities

• Selecting, supervising, and evaluating vendors, contractors, and outsourced service providers

• Ensuring appropriate processes for building use, repairs, maintenance, supplies, safety, and event readiness

• Using technology and process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness

• Overseeing systems for member relations, communications, financial administration, program support, and development operations

Staff Leadership and Human Resources

The Executive Director manages, trains, and develops Beth Am’s office and maintenance staff, as well as outsourced staff, vendors, and independent contractors who support synagogue operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Hiring, supervising, coaching, and evaluating several staff members in small team

• Administering HR policies and supporting a healthy, accountable, and collaborative staff culture

• Delegating effectively while remaining willing to pitch in directly when needed

• Helping staff members develop professionally and work together as a cohesive team

• Ensuring that staff are prepared to manage both routine responsibilities and unforeseen challenges

• (Discovery Lab staff are managed by the Director of Youth & Family Education)

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least five years of senior professional management and budgeting experience in a complex organization, including responsibility for human resources and facilities

• Experience in a Jewish community, synagogue, religious institution, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organization

• Experience supporting fundraising, development operations, donor stewardship, or advancement initiatives

• Excellent adaptability and problem-solving skills to manage a wide variety of operational, logistical, financial, and relational matters

• Facility with modern systems for member relations, communications, and data management, such as ShulCloud or similar customer relationship management systems

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and video streaming and conferencing software

• Strong financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, expense management, and operational controls

• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy, discretion, diplomacy, and the ability to manage sensitive conversations

• Understanding of and respect for Jewish religious practice in a Conservative synagogue

• Willingness to wear many hats in a small organization and carry out other duties as necessary for the success of the congregation, its programs, and its physical facilities

• Availability to attend most worship services, relevant Board and committee meetings, and events as required

• Experience with fundraising and development is ideal but not essential

Research shows that many job applicants are reluctant to apply for roles for which they don't have all of the listed required qualifications. If you have many but not all of these qualifications and feel like you would be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation, Benefits & Schedule

• Salary range: $100,000 - $135,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications

• Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Federal holidays, vacation, parental leave, sick days, complimentary congregational membership, and complimentary Discovery Lab tuition

• Evening, weekend and holiday work required