Director, Jewish Community Relations Committee

You can have an impact in supporting the Jewish community in the fight against Antisemitism. Advocate and educate! Your skills and experience are needed now more than ever!

Position Summary:

The Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) is responsible for the oversight and execution of the public affairs agenda of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. The public affairs agenda includes four main priorities: advancing legislative relations and advocacy, combatting antisemitism, building support for Israel in the legislative arena, and developing community engagement with non-Jewish partners. In addition, the Director staffs the JCRC lay leadership to ensure rewarding engagement opportunities for donors.

Responsibilities:

Legislative Relations and Advocacy

• Establish and maintain relationships with local, state, and national lawmakers.
• Work with other national and state Jewish organizations engaged in government affairs and related efforts (JFNJ, JCPA, JFNA, ADL, AJC, AIPAC, etc.).
• Develop policy recommendations for consideration by JCRC and Federation leadership; advocate on public policy issues of concern to the Jewish community with elected and government officials.
• Monitor local, state, and national news outlets every day and keep professional and lay leadership apprised of any issues of importance to the community.
• Plan and execute legislative visits for lay leadership on the local, state, and federal levels throughout the year in order to engage leadership and inform legislators of issues of concern to the community.
• Hold election year candidate forums.
• Work with JCRC colleagues throughout the state and nationally as part of the JCRC network.

Combatting Antisemitism

• Work with professional and lay leadership and other community organizations to respond to issues of antisemitism, anti-Israel animosity, and church/state concerns.
• Educate legislators on issues relating to the safety and security of Israel, as well as the inaccuracies of the BDS movement and the post-October 7 antisemitism surge and anti-Israel/anti-Zionist movement.

Community Engagement

• Supervise the Manager of Civic and Community Engagement, whose key role is to foster meaningful relationships with key leaders, representatives in the broader (non-Jewish) northern New Jersey community, as well as assist in the other work of the JCRC.

JCRC Committee Work

• Staff the Jewish Community Relations Committee.
• Ensure that the JCRC consists of representation from diverse constituencies in the Jewish community that reflect political, religious, and geographical balance.
• Plan and implement regular meetings of the JCRC that include opportunities for both education and policy discussions; guide JCRC chair and leadership to consensus around policy issues.
• Handle JCRC logistics including budgeting, communications, strategic planning, and communications.
• Steward relationships with JCRC leadership in support of Federation’s overall mission and work.

Other

• Work with development staff to ensure that JCRC leadership supports Federation’s fundraising efforts.
• Create, promote, and implement community programs, speakers, and activities that fall under the priorities of the JCRC.
• Staff Yom HaShoah committee and plan event.
• Undertake other assignments as may be requested by management.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master’s Degree in related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5-8 years’ experience in community relations, government relations, social action, and/or Jewish community service.
• Experience working with volunteers; prior work with committees a plus.
• Familiarity with Israel and issues related to Israel advocacy.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written skills.
• Positive, enthusiastic, self-motivated professional; comfortable in a fast-paced working environment, including occasional nights and weekends.
• Ability to work closely with others in a team environment and effectively interact with all levels of management, community leaders, donors, and volunteers.
• Working knowledge of the northern New Jersey Jewish community and/or legislators a plus.
• Strong personal commitment to the mission of Federation.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000

To apply: send resume and cover letter to Jobs@jfnnj.org

Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey is a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to creating a vibrant Jewish community in northern New Jersey. Federation cares for those in need, deepens engagement in Jewish life, and strengthens the bonds among Jews in northern New Jersey, in Israel, and around the world. Its primary functions are community planning and allocations, financial resource development, and leadership development.