Career Opportunity

Youth Education and Program Director 
Part-time $35K  – $50K

About Us

Congregation Or Zarua is a traditional egalitarian synagogue on the Upper East Side in New York City, celebrating our 36th birthday in 5785. With 200+ member households, we seek to attract more families with children as well as individuals and couples. We are a participatory synagogue where congregants do most of the Torah reading and lead many services.

Youth Education and Program Director 

The Youth Education and Program Director will administer and provide instruction for the Or Zarua Hebrew School. We have approximately 25-40 students and this position will require 15-20 hours per week primarily on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, High Holy Days, and one Saturday morning per month. We are looking for an individual who is an experienced and innovative educator. This person will have a solid Jewish background, knowledge of Jewish texts and be proficient in traditional forms of worship. The ideal candidate loves and understands how to teach Hebrew and is a strong and passionate Zionist. They bring excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as strong organizational and management skills.

The Youth Education and Program Director  will:

• Plan and implement a comprehensive Jewish curriculum for students in grades pre-K through 7 including:
  • Basic Hebrew literacy
  • Prayer skills (focusing on  Kabbalat Shabbat, the Torah service, and Musaf for Shabbat)
  • Laws and rituals of Jewish holidays
  • Torah literacy (focusing on Parshat Hashavua)
  • Israeli history, culture and people
• Plan and facilitate Shabbat morning programming once per month.
• Coordinate with external early childhood programs (e.g., music, baby yoga, petting zoo, etc.) to engage young families.
• Plan and lead informal youth excursions/programs approximately 2-3 times per semester.
• Coordinate holiday programs for students of all ages and their families.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate Hebrew School teachers.
• Engage with families and collaborate with synagogue staff and lay leadership.
• Manage Hebrew School budget in conjunction with Or Zarua staff and lay leadership. Recruit new students and families to the Hebrew School, programs, synagogue membership, and Or Zarua services.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or Jewish-related major. Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous leadership and supervisory experience in Jewish education.
• Content knowledge and skills for teaching Hebrew, core Jewish texts, tefillot, holidays, history, and Israel.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and ability to learn ShulCloud software.

The Youth Education and Program Director will report to Or Zarua’s Rabbi and work closely with the Or Zarua Executive Director and office staff. Start date is July 1, 2025 or sooner. 

Email cover letter and resume to: orzaruaeducator@gmail.com.