Senior Jewish Educator and Musical Prayer Leader

Shomrei is a thriving and growing 500 person synagogue in the heart of Montclair, NJ with a
strong preschool (Mondays-Fridays) and religious school (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Affiliated with the Conservative Movement, Shomrei balances the wisdom of the tradition with
innovation and a spirit of welcoming and inclusion. This position reports to the Director of
Education and is designed as a 30 hour per week position, with an onsite presence required on
Shabbat, Wednesday and Friday.

Our ideal candidate is an experienced and dynamic educator with youth prayer leadership skills
who is passionate about putting our students on a path of becoming life-long Jewish learners.
The full scope of the position includes a diverse range of roles: educator, musical youth prayer
leader, curriculum designer, relationship-builder with children and families, and coordinator of
key programs and celebrations. Most critical, the success in this role is dependent on being
able to work collaboratively with the Rabbi, Director of Education, volunteers and other staff
members. Shomrei is a deeply connected community and our mutual trust is the magic
ingredient in our success.

Responsibilities
Youth Prayer Leader:
Create joyful and meaningful Children and Adult family services for all ages
- Lead multiple Shabbat and Wednesday services for children and families
- Lead age appropriate High Holiday services and experiences for ages 0-13.
- Coordinate youth and family engagement in main sanctuary on Shabbat and Holidays
- Integrate rabbi into key educational moments with children and families
Teacher:
Provide classroom instruction and experiential Sanctuary learning
- Serve as faculty member in the religious school
- Prepare students to be confident in the sanctuary and to assist in leading services
- Prepare Shomrei teens to read Torah and participate in holiday programming
Family Engagement:
Engage with families to connect school learning to the lived experience at home
- Build relationships with children, and their families in formal and informal settings
- Foster warm and caring connections with families and between families
- Work with staff and volunteers to plan family programming on Shabbat and Holidays
B’nai MItzvah Mentor:
Provide guidance and support to facilitate the family's B’nai Mitzvah journey
- Coordinate B’nai Mitzvah tutoring options; tutor directly if desired
- Shepherd B-Mitzvah students and family through B-Mitzvah process
- Work with staff to ensure positive and meaningful B-Mitzvah experience overall
- Partner with rabbi to ensure B-Mitzvah student is well-prepared
Curriculum support:
Collaborate in the ongoing development of curriculum materials for K-7
- Partner with Director of Education to identity and develop new curriculum modules
- Create appropriate student assessment tools to support and enhance the curriculum
- Participate in strategic planning process as it relates to education
- Serve as a curricular resource for teachers
- Mentor and advise teachers on implementation of new curriculum
- Coordinate professional development for religious school teachers
- Help develop a supplemental curriculum for B-Mitzvah students and families
Qualifications
- BA in Jewish Studies or a related field (Cantorial or Rabbinic Ordination is a plus)
- 2-5 years (minimum) proven success in teaching at all grade levels and leading youth
services
- Comfort with innovative and forward-thinking approach to instructions and services
- A strong commitment to personal growth