About JCRC-NY:

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY), a proud UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body to: (1) Be a common table to cultivate understanding and joint action amongst diverse groups within the Jewish community; (2) Cultivate deeper relationships with the broader New York community to address critical issues and engender a shared society; (3) Ensure the security of the Jewish community in the face of rising antisemitism; and (4) Foster increased understanding and appreciation for the Jewish community’s relationship with Israel among diverse groups of New Yorkers. JCRC-NY seeks to intensify its community relations efforts, strengthen existing partnerships and build new relationships with diverse leaders in our city to advance the values, interests and security of the New York Jewish community and build a more interconnected New York for all.

The Position:

The Director of Israel and Jewish Affairs is responsible for implementing programs, policies, and communications in these areas in order to ensuring broad based support among diverse New Yorkers for Israel as a national home for the Jewish people and as a democratic state and to build constructive relationships between local Jewish communities to advance a common agenda.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, in close coordination with the CEO, and to a Board Committee, the Director is part of a Leadership Team and is responsible for collaborating with all agency representatives to ensure seamless integration of Israel and Jewish Affairs initiatives within agency activities. A full-time program coordinator reports to the Director. This is a full-time position which carries a need for nimbleness and flexibility from time to time to be available to attend last minute important community gatherings to represent JCRC-NY. The position is currently subject to a hybrid working model, wherein a minimum of 3 days in-person work at our midtown offices is required, one of those days being Thursday. Additionally, some international travel may periodically be required.

Responsibilities:

· Israel Study Tours: Managing and implementing all aspects of JCRC-NY’s Study Tours to Israel for civic, political, ethnic, faith, non-profit, and academic leaders in partnership with other departments. Tasks include recruitment of participants, developing appropriate itineraries to achieve specified educational goals, and securing appropriate funding levels. Director must also ensure and implement robust follow up programing and engagement opportunities for study tour alumni.

· Foster Meaningful Dialogue: Foster meaningful dialogue and discussion among New Yorkers on Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Organize educational briefings on key issues. Engage influencers and conduct outreach to diverse communities to build meaningful, substantive connectivity.

· Local Advocacy: Engage in local advocacy for Israel by informing and educating public officials and other relevant influencers on issues and policies pertaining to Israel. Serve as a resource and advisor to leaders regarding Israel and the global Jewish community and develop/implement strategies to confront local efforts to delegitimize Israel.

· Rapid Response and Crises Management: Develop and spearhead community-wide responses to ongoing developments in the Middle East and local crises affecting the Jewish community. Mobilize the local Jewish community and our diverse partners in support of the Jewish community and Israel.

· Progressive Engagement: Develop strategies to engage progressive community leaders on Israel. Continue JCRC-NY’s engagement with college campus faculty and administrators through our Scholars as Bridge Builders program.

· Policy Development: Serve as JCRC-NY’s policy expert on Israel and International affairs, develop community-wide consensus-based policies regarding Israel, the Middle East, and Global Jewry, and draft JCRC-NY public communications on these subjects when necessary.

· Celebrate Jewish Heritage and Israel: Create opportunities for New Yorkers to celebrate Jewish heritage and Israel by identifying holidays or appropriate moments to celebrate or commemorate. Promote greater participation of public officials and diverse community leaders in the Celebrate Israel Parade.

· Global Jewish Affairs: Build and maintain relationships with Jewish and Israel advocacy organizations around the world on issues concerning the wellbeing of Diaspora Jewish communities.

· Local Jewish Affairs: Identify and track priority communities, including the Haredi and “Just Jewish,” communities and their existing and emerging local leaders. Develop and execute outreach plans to engage these communities as well as the broad diversity of Jewish communities and organizations in NYC. Proactively connect existing and emerging leaders 1-on-1 and in small groups for purpose of building connections in advance of needing to mobilize leaders to action.

· Coalition Building: Organize and facilitate coalitions and other collaborations of diverse Jewish leaders at the neighborhood level. Identify topical and timely particular and universal issues that affect a diverse array of Jews around which trusting relationships and/or coalitions can be built. Convene and expand the _Jewish Leadership Forum_to hold discussions and facilitate action on mutually determined issues of concern

· Jewish Community Outreach: Liaise with and maintain connections with local and national Jewish organizational leaders on issues pertaining to local and global Jewish affairs.

· Other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

· 10+ years of experience working in Israel education/advocacy, Jewish communal service, or International Affairs, developing practical materials and programs, and success in fundraising activity

· Deep familiarity with the various diverse Jewish communities of New York City, their leadership structures, and the challenges they face

· Deep passion for the advocacy for Jewish people and a complete and nuanced understanding of Israel, the greater Middle-East, and Israel-Diaspora relations. Strong familiarity with the diversity of the New York Jewish community and its diversity of thought with regard to Israel

· Excellent facilitation skills, with experience working in coalitions and a respectful approach to divergent religious and political points of view. Proven outreach and organizing capabilities and ability to work with diverse audiences

· Demonstrated experience with increasing levels of responsibility organizing both small private and large scale public events

· Policy experience and high level of communication skills including written and public speaking

· Ability to work and thrive in fast paced environments and coalitions balancing time across a wide range of activities and prioritizing the most impactful work. Self-starter with creativity and a knack for problem solving. Ability to supervise staff, participate in a team, work on multiple tasks, and function independently

· Fluency in Microsoft office, Google suite, and general computer skills

· Knowledge of Hebrew a plus

· Master’s degree in a relevant field preferred, Ph.D. a plus.

Compensation and Benefits:

· Salary range: $120,000-$160,000

· Benefits package, healthcare, paid vacation, personal/sick days, UJA-Federation pension plan, 403B plan available

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to careers@jcrcny.org.