Youth and Teen Coordinator

Preferred Start Date: June 15th 2023

Be a part of a thriving and dynamic team!

Since its founding in 1825, B’nai Jeshurun (BJ), a non-affiliated synagogue on the Upper West Side, has been at the forefront of the American Jewish experience. As it approaches its third century, our vision remains focused on the spiritual work of transformation and on the creation of a Jewish path that is authentic and profound and helps all members of the community seek and live their purpose to the fullest.

BJ’s spiritual leaders, Rabbis Rolando Matalon, Felicia Sol, Rebecca Weintraub, and Hazzan Ari Priven, as well as its nearly 1,800 member families, share a vision of a diverse, dynamic, and inclusive community that offers many paths to Jewish religious life while supporting one another in their spiritual quests. BJ is committed to honoring tradition while re-imagining and innovating its practices and programs to create a vibrant, contemporary, and relevant Jewish life for all who seek it.

We are excited to welcome a Youth and Teen Coordinator, with the primary responsibility of overseeing teen and informal youth programming.

We are looking for an enthusiastic educational leader, able to relate to teens, primary school-aged children, and adolescents and develop relationships with their adults. The position will rely heavily on the educator’s ability to inspire teens and families. As such, this position requires a high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to be effective in various roles (e.g. informal learning, formal teaching, and facilitating large groups). The ideal candidate will search out creative ways to connect with BJ members and to connect with youth, teens, and families. In addition, the Coordinator will keep their finger on the pulse of current youth and teen engagement models.

The Coordinator is a full-time position; an active part of the Family Life and Learning Department; and a regular fixture on Shabbat, holidays, and in the community of BJ families. The Coordinator will report to the Director of Family Life and Learning (the Director).

Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Director, Teen Educator and Assistant Rabbi, set a vision for youth and teen learning and engagement and implement all teen and youth programming, in collaboration with the Family Life and Learning team and part-time staff.
• Supervise part-time Youth Advisor and staff for immersive experiences.
• Oversee all logistics and implementation of teen and youth programming including immersive experiences.
• Oversee the annual teen retreat, teen domestic and international trips, 6th-grade immersive experience, and 7th-grade immersive experiences.
• Create and develop a curriculum for all immersive experiences.
• Create substantial relationships with our youth, teens, and families and actively recruit and retain youth and teens for all programming.
• Support the leadership development of the Teen Executive Board.
• Supervise ozrim (teen teachers), part-time youth professionals, including recruitment, retention, professional learning, mentoring, evaluation, and assessment of the staff.
• Support the development, direct, and evaluate all youth programming and look for ways to transform the department’s offerings, including youth groups, service learning, teen initiatives, teen trips, and Hitoreri (monthly Friday night service for teens).
• Coordinate and manage the teen and youth group calendars and teen budget; ensure procurement of all materials and supplies for all programs.
• Capitalize on opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration.
• Work in conjunction with youth, teens, college students, and parents to help build lay committees.
• Work with the Communications Department to manage various forms of communications and publicity. These include social media, phone recruitment, regular email communication with families, advertising, various print materials, and the BJ website.
• Think radically about the engagement of college-age (post-teen) students, and work in collaboration with the Family Life and Learning team to implement this vision.
• Maintain awareness of current events, trends, and possibilities for youth and engagement.
• Other duties may be assigned based on skill set.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

We seek a leader who is devoted to youth and teen engagement; who is enthusiastic, accessible, and who can communicate with and be responsive to adults and teens alike. The successful applicant will be comfortable with change and be willing to experiment with different kinds of engagement strategies.

• Bachelors degree and 2-3 years experience working with youth and teens
• A self-starter who takes the initiative; a highly motivated, creative, and strategic thinker who seeks out new and creative ways to engage youth and teens.
• Ability to organize ideas, people, and time into a coherent action plan, and be able to communicate the plan to all stakeholders clearly.
• Creative, energetic team player with high standards of excellence and the ability to foster those qualities in others.
• Comfortable and literate in traditional liturgy is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and strong organizational skills.
• Comfortable working with new technology; experience with Salesforce a plus.
• Provides vision, leadership, strong project management, and experience integrating values into age-appropriate programs.
• Demonstrated success working with 6- to 18-year-olds, creating welcoming environments, and building meaningful relationships.
• Is passionate about Jewish living and learning, fun, creative, enthusiastic, and has a good sense of humor.

To Apply

Please send your cover letter and resume to Michael Witman with the subject line “Youth and Teen Coordinator.”

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position. A competitive salary of $59-65K will be offered depending on experience level. BJ offers medical, dental, and vision insurance policies, as well as vacation and sick days, over 20 paid (National and Jewish) holidays, a 403b retirement plan and many other benefits.

Equal Opportunity Employment

B’nai Jeshurun is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in recognition of its values, commitment to social justice, and responsibility to its spiritual leaders and staff, congregants, and the communities within which it lives and works. It strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, veterans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ applicants.