What are the responsibilities and job description for the Religious School Director position at Bet Ha'am Congregation?
Job Summary
Bet Ha’am is a vibrant Jewish community in South Portland, Maine. We welcome Jews from all backgrounds, embrace interfaith families and maintain an open and progressive approach to worship and religious expression. Established in 1985, we have become the largest Jewish congregation in Maine and are dedicated to social justice and healing the world.
The Religious School at Congregation Bet Ha’am has 100 students ranging from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. It meets regularly on Sunday mornings and evenings and follows the South Portland public school calendar.
We are seeking a Religious School director to be an integral part of the staff of Bet Ha’am. This person will work closely with our full-time Rabbi, office administrator, events coordinator, parents and volunteer teachers to ensure that students of all ages gain a high quality Jewish educational experience.
Duties
Required Education: BA/BS, preferable in education, child development or related field. Advanced degree and formal teaching certificate is preferred.
Required experience:
Curriculum development
Direct personal experience in Jewish religious beliefs and culture
Organization and program management.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of volunteer educators and engage with students and parents.
Excellent organizational abilities, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders.
Commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and creating a welcoming environment for all students and families.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as needed, to accommodate Religious School programs and events.
Preferred experience:
Fluency in Hebrew
Experience in teaching Hebrew, leading Jewish prayers and services
Responsibilities:
Evaluate curriculum goals for the school with the help of the Rabbi and Education Committee.
2. Recruit, interview and engage teachers. Because our teachers are volunteers, it is important to provide ongoing support to insure consistency and adherence to curriculum guidelines/goals. Provide support and guidelines for the teachers in areas of student behavioral issues and discipline.
3. Meet regularly with the Rabbi, teachers, and Education committee to discuss and recommend revisions in school procedures, policies and standard curriculum changes, budget requirements, school calendar and related matters.
4. Establish and maintain regular office hours.
5. Maintain student attendance records and curriculum progress in coordination with the teachers.
6. Set up the registration process for the upcoming school year.
7. Coordinate a Bet Mitzvah program with the Rabbi, Hebrew teachers and tutors that prepares students to lead a service and read from the Torah
8. Maintain a weekly school email that goes to teachers, office staff, Rabbi and parents that outlines programming and schedules in a timely way for the upcoming Sunday mornings and evenings.
9. Work with bookkeeper and parents to be in compliance with school fees.
10. Plan and coordinate open house/parent information programs, joint parent-student programs and family education.
11. Work with the Education Committee, Rabbi and office staff to insure family holidays such as Purim and Chanukah are well coordinated with the Religious School programs and curriculum.
12. Manage Family and Tot Shabbat services with the Rabbi, Events Coordinator and key volunteers.
Schedule:
This is an in-person position (with scheduling flexibility in order to meet with teachers, Rabbi, Education Committee as needed), approximately 35-40 hours per week which includes one Friday evening a month for Family Shabbat service and all day Sunday.
Compensation/Benefits:
This is a full time position with salary of $62,500, stipend for medical insurance and PTO.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $62,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
Salary : $62,500