Director of Jewish Community Engagement

About the Tucson J:

The Tucson Jewish Community Center, also known as, “The J” has 2,000 membership units and is the town hall for Jewish life in Tucson, Arizona. Guided by values rooted in Jewish tradition, we are open to all people of all ages. Our 115,000 square feet complex, built in 1989, houses a variety of programs each day, such as our state-of-the-art Fitness Center, Early Childhood Education program for children from six weeks through five years, Taglit, a day-program for adults with special needs. Through a recent merger with Arts for All, the J proudly offers services for those with disabilities beyond the walls of the J. Our facility includes a variety of multi-use spaces, including a ballroom, kosher demonstration kitchen, sculpture garden, fine arts gallery, gymnasium, fitness center, tennis courts, pool, splash park, café, indoor play space and more! When you enter our building, you will feel the vibrant, buzz that radiates through the building each day.

Through our arts, culture and community programming, members and guests engage in conversation with one another, learn about cultures from around the world, and enrich their artistic and spiritual sides. Our varied offerings provide both an opportunity to deepen one’s learning and also to meet others in the community. Arts and culture is an entry point for people of all ages and at all stages into community at The J. We are proud to have collaborated with a variety of different organizations in the Jewish and broader communities across Tucson in order to authentically build relationships and community.

The J practices radical inclusiveness and is a safe non-judgmental space for all. Our community is incredibly diverse with families and individuals self-identifying as: “Just Jewish,” Not Jewish, Culturally Jewish/Secular/Humanist, Jewish by Birth, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, multi-faith, Israeli American, Jews of Color, LGBTQ, single-parent, differently abled/special needs, low-income, middle-income, and affluent. The J welcomes the participation of self-identifying people of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

The Role:

The Director of Jewish Community Engagement will nurture those currently in relationship with the J and those who do not yet have that relationship. The Director of Jewish Community Engagement is an integral member of The J’s team beyond the Jewish Life and Learning department. The person in this role has strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Guided by the voices of program participants, volunteer leadership, your own experience, and a spirit of innovation, the Director of Jewish Community Engagement will build upon a robust program that includes:

· Become an expert in the art and science of relationship-based engagement (RBE): Meet community members, particularly through their interest in connecting with greater Jewish community, build relationships, and serve as a connector between people, programs and initiatives. Support staff across the J as they develop and hone their RBE skills and processes.

· Be intentionally present at engagement and community events facilitated by the J and community organizations: Within our Jewish Living and Engagement team there will be opportunities to both take the lead on events and support the team on others, particularly around the Patron of the Arts Signature Events Series, Actively Aging Series, and Patron of the Arts donor events.

· Classes: Plan, develop and implement social, recreational and educational class offerings with the intent for the adult learners to build relationships with one another and engage them in their Jewish journey. For many, classes is an entry point into the Jewish community. Our ideal candidate will pursue new initiatives and community collaborations to increase our mission driven class offerings. While there are several core classes currently being offered, there is always room for innovation and new offerings.

· Clubs: Serve as the liaison for a variety of clubs, both clubs that currently exist and those that will emerge. Current club offerings include: mahj, women’s book club, chess, canasta, and the widow’s circle. For many who participate, participating in a club has been an entry point into Jewish life and community, or served as an opportunity to deepen their relationships with others and the community.

· Support the Tucson J team in their efforts to use relationship-based engagement as a tool to build and strengthen community.

· Play a role in educating the Tucson J team around Jewish education, which includes but is not limited to the topics of holidays, values, and Israel.

· Serve as the liaison with synagogues, organizations, and agencies, especially in terms of gathering events to promote. Build relationships with clubs and affinity groups not formally connected with the J to promote those groups on an individual basis.

· Be an ongoing resource to assist JPSA, as needed, to connect to newly formed relationships within the community

· Serve as the primary J staff collaborator on the following community events – Challah Bake, Day of Chesed, and Second Night Passover Seder

· Actively support the annual community Shabbat dinner and Tikkun Leil Shavuot

· In partnership with lay leadership, thoughtfully develop and implement affinity groups such as Jews of Color and Shabbat Club. Actively support new affinity groups as needs emerge.

· Set and actively manage budget areas pertaining to Community Engagement, Special Events, Clubs Classes.

· Participate in learning opportunities, through JCC Association of North America, and other local, national and global organizations to better understand evolving trends in Jewish life.

· Other duties within the Jewish Life & Learning team as assigned.

This position is a full-time exempt position and is covered by the code of the Personnel Practices for Professional Staff.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• What about this role is most appealing to you?

Ability to Commute:

• Tucson, AZ 85718 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000