Rabbi Careers

Overview

The Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) is seeking a visionary and results-oriented Executive Director to lead our orga­ni­za­tion into the next stage of growth. IJS has a 2 million dollar oper­ating budget and a core staff of 10, and we seek an Executive Director who will advance our mission, visi­bility, and resource gener­a­tion to sustain and expand the programs that have placed us at the forefront of efforts to transform contemporary Judaism.

IJS was created specifically to respond to the yearning of American Jews to find Jewish communities of greater spiritual depth. For us, spirituality involves nurturing the human capacity to connect with all that is holy and sacred; cultivating contemplative practices that invite us to enhance relationships with our deepest and most authentic selves and with others; and accessing wisdom, resilience, and joy as we experience the challenges and blessings of our lives.

In the 20 years of its existence, IJS has grown into a complex trans-denominational entity that has a valued place among agents of change transforming the face of Jewish practice in the United States. IJS has an alumni network of more than 600 clergy, Jewish communal professionals and lay leaders who have participated in the experiential, intensive programs of IJS and who have inspired thousands of people through teaching, mentoring and modeling of deeply grounded Jewish spiritual practices. With the addition of our interactive online platform, we have reached many thousands more people seeking to explore the Jewish spiritually-based practices advanced by IJS.

Our Vision: We envision a vibrant, transformative Judaism that is rooted in tradition and attuned to contemporary sensibilities; is invigorated by practices integrating mind, body, heart and soul; inspires Jews to connect meaningfully with each other, with their communities and with however one conceives of the Divine; and creates a more just and compassionate world.

Mission: We seek to revitalize Jewish life by teaching spiritual practices that cultivate mindfulness on the individual and communal levels so that we can act with enriched wisdom, clarity, and compassion. We teach the core practices of Jewish mindfulness meditation, tikkun middot (the cultivation of ethical character traits), Torah study, prayer, and chanting and yoga as embodied practices. These practices provide participants with valuable skills for effective leadership while creating opportunities to deepen their inner lives and connect meaningfully with the Divine. We utilize traditional and contemporary forms of authentic Jewish practice to enrich everyday life with Jewish wisdom, link the search for inner wholeness with tikkun olam (repair of the world), and create a vibrant, enduring Judaism now and for generations to come.

THE POSITION

The Executive Director must be a highly collaborative individual with a proven track record of building strong relationships with multiple stakeholders — including staff, board, donors, program alumni, and other lay leaders. The Executive Director must be an experienced fundraiser who will manage a robust portfolio of existing donors and build a plan to diversify and increase sources of revenue to support IJS’s array of programs. They will also serve as the public face for IJS by representing the organization at relevant conferences, events, and convenings throughout North America.

The Executive Director will report to IJS’s Chair of the Board of Directors, and will initially lead a team of 10 professionals responsible for programs, development, operations, and administration. The IJS office is based in New York City with some staff who work remotely. Ideal candidates for the Executive Director will be based in the tri-state area.