Director of Education and Community Building
at Congregation Or Zarua 

This is an exciting synagogue leadership opportunity for an innovative Jewish educational and community leader. The Director of Education and Community Building is a member of the senior staff of Congregation Or Zarua. The right Jewish educator/community-builder will have the opportunity to expand our youth and family services and educational programs. Managing Or Zarua’s Hebrew School and early childhood programming is only one aspect of a dynamic job that invites the Director to work closely with the Rabbi, Executive Director and lay leaders to build our kehillah. Another feature of the position is helping to develop our synagogue as a base for formal and informal education, religious learning experiences, and social, holiday and community programs. Directing and running holiday and select Shabbat programs is also required. 

We are 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 leading services. The new Director will help develop congregants’ tefillah literacy by complementing the existing adult learning programs and Hebrew School with a community-building endeavor that focuses on creating welcoming entry points where new and existing members can enhance their participation in Jewish traditions and rituals.  

The successful candidate will bring a creative spirit to this meaningful leadership opportunity and is: 

  • A proficient and inventive educator who has a solid Jewish background and knowledge of Jewish texts and traditional forms of worship, loves and understands how to teach Hebrew, and is a strong and passionate Zionist
  • Versatile with both formal and informal educational management and is able to be content driven
  • Feels comfortable leading accessible Shabbat and holiday services, and other related programming that builds community
  • Able to support and supervise youth and educational staff 
  • A good verbal and written communicator
  • An educator with strong organizational and management skills

Education Responsibilities: 

  • Manage and direct the congregational Hebrew School
  • Plan and execute educational classes and programs for youth and teens of all ages
  • Build and engage youth, teen, and family communities and integrate them into our larger kehillah 
  • Reimagine and run Shabbat and holiday services for children and youth 
  • Participate as a leader in periodic community-building religious services

Community Relationships Responsibilities 

  • Encourage a sense of community within the congregation 
  • Build upon existing programs and design new offerings to attract  youth, teens, and families of current and prospective members
  • Manage relevant communications and publicity, including website content, social media, and parent interactions 

Synagogue Outreach and Membership Responsibilities

  • Outreach to other organizations in support of membership and recruitment
  • Grow Or Zarua membership by generating an inviting atmosphere for new families and non-active current families

Administrative Responsibilities

  • Budget management for congregational Hebrew School and related community-building programs. 

Qualifications

  • Experience (including administrative experience) of at least five years in educational settings
  • An advanced degree in Education or relevant field or Rabbinic or Cantorial Ordination. 

The Director of Education and Community Building will report to and be supervised by Rabbi Bolton (with input and evaluation from other relevant parties) and be guided by the core values and principles of Congregation Or Zarua. 

Salary will be commensurate with experience and credentials. Salary range $80k – 120k. Benefits available. Start date is July 1, 2025 or sooner. 

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