Overview
The Aspen Jewish Congregation is a dynamic and inclusive Reform Jewish congregation serving the Roaring Fork Valley in Colorado. The AJC is seeking an Education & Family Engagement Director. We seek to hire someone with experience and passion for working and learning with youth and families and the desire to build meaningful relationships with youth and adults of all ages while fostering their connection to the congregation and love of Judaism and Jewish learning.
Education:
- Hebrew School: Responsible for planning and leading our weekday Religious/Hebrew School (K-7) throughout the valley; currently 2 afterschool locations, each 1 afternoon/week. Responsibilities include:
- Curriculum oversight (choosing/shaping/reviewing)
- Oversight of teachers, madrichim/religious school aides, and volunteers (hiring, mentoring, training, evaluating; serving as resource in their lesson planning)
- Communication (with staff, students, parents, lay leadership, and broader community; inclusive of calendar and registration)
- Site management (ensuring set-up/clean-up, supplies, communication with site liaison)
- Plan/co-plan special programs (i.e., school shabbatot, speakers and holiday celebrations in school, etc)
- Plan and lead monthly “Chai School” programs for 8th-12th graders, including yearly immersive trip/retreat experience
- B’nei Mitzvah:
- Serve as b’nei mitzvah tutor (typically 7-10 students per year) teaching Torah and Haftara portions and trope
Family Engagement:
- Build connections and relationships with and among our youth and families and foster their connection to the AJC
- Vision, create & implement a robust schedule family engagement program for a diverse range of ages and family life stages, including experiential learning opportunities and social programs for youth and families, such as (as potential examples):
- Parent Engagement Group; parent coffees; “Parents’ night out” programs, “parenting Jewish kids” book club)
- Age-specific, experiential/informal educational style programs for various age groups outside of school schedule
- Family programs – family education programs or holiday celebrations within and beyond Hebrew School
- Playgroups, story times, or music classes for very young (preschool and younger) students;
- Coordinate with outside organizations such as bookstores, local businesses, and PJ Library to create programs that reach new families
- Be the congregation’s “point person” for what is happening within the congregation and in the valley for families; draw new families into connection by welcoming new Jewish families to the valley
General Duties:
- Be full and active member of congregational staff team
- Join with Education Committee Chair in planning meetings; attend all Education Committee meetings
- Consistent ongoing communication with Rabbi (direct supervisor) including weekly or biweekly meetings for planning and discussion
- Active participation in temple programming and community-wide events
- Prepare yearly budget request and manage education budget
- Attend board meetings as appropriate and requested
We are a Reform congregation, affiliated with the URJ, serving the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado - the only one in our valley. We are a warm, heimish congregation of year-round and seasonal residents of a variety of Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds; currently we have approximately 250 member families.
The Aspen area is not only a casual, down-to-earth location, but it is unparalleled in its beauty, its outdoor opportunities, and its cultural opportunities. There is an Incredible variety of cultural experiences -- such as:
robust variety of theater, ballet/dance, music (both venues and programs). Food & Wine Classic, Jazz Aspen/Snowmass, the Aspen Music Festival & School, Aspen Ideas, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, concert hot spot Belly Up, stand-up comedy at the Wheeler Opera House, Aspen Film, Aspen Words, the list goes on and on.
And of course, outdoor activities are key in our valley. In the late spring through fall, you’ll find hiking, trail running, mountain biking and road biking, rock climbing, camping, ziplines and ropes courses, rafting and kayaking throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and all sorts of winter sports, including the X-games yearly.
The Ideal candidate will have:
- Prior experience working with Jewish education and youth (formal education, camp, or other experiential educational experience)
- Impeccable organization, competence, and integrity
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Understanding of current social media platforms and how to effectively utilize them to further congregational goals
- Facility with youth of all ages as well as adults; keen interpersonal skills; outgoing personality
- The ability to create and implement meaningful, developmentally-appropriate programming to meet the religious, educational, and social needs of our youth and families
- Contagious enthusiasm and excitement for Jewish life and living
- Love of Jewish learning and knowledge of Reform Jewish life
- The ability to be a responsible teacher, mentor, and trusted friend to our youth, our teachers, and our adult members
- Musical/Songleading ability would be a bonus, but is not required
Vacation, sick leave, family leave, health insurance, retirement contribution, professional development allowance, professional dues, congregational membership & religious/Hebrew school tuition for family (if applicable), cell phone reimbursement, temple laptop if needed, ski pass
Perhaps most importantly, our Hebrew school is a combined religious/Hebrew school that meets ONLY during the week; therefore most often, the educator has evenings and weekends truly "off!" Here in Colorado, and in particular in our valley, there is a strong ethos of balance; we in the congregation are true believers in the importance of our staff finding that seemingly elusive (particularly in the Jewish professional world) "work-life balance."
Rabbi Emily Segal: rabbisegal@aspenjewish.org
About Aspen jewish Congregation
Aspen Jewish Congregation is a dynamic and inclusive Reform Jewish community that serves the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
