Overview
Director of Congregational Engagement
Temple Isaiah, a thriving Reform congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts, seeks an experienced Jewish professional to serve as Director of Congregational Engagement (DCE).
We are seeking a full-time Director of Congregational Engagement to help us live out our Sh’ma vision statement: Deepening Lives, Inspiring Purpose, Together. The DCE’s mission will be to increase and deepen congregant engagement. The right candidate will be, above all, a connector: someone who connects with congregants and staff, and who helps connect people more deeply with one another, with the Temple Isaiah community, with Jewish life and learning, and with the larger community, in profound and meaningful ways. Our new DCE will understand that relationships, and not only programs, are the key to successful engagement, and will share their love for Judaism in creative ways with staff and congregants alike.
The Director of Congregational Engagement will be an active and collaborative member of the Senior Staff Team and will work in sacred partnership with Clergy, Senior Staff, and Lay Leaders to:
-Develop a broad vision and achievable multi-year strategy that helps to align our engagement efforts by creating paths of opportunity for all members, whether new or affiliated for years.
-Enrich congregants’ engagement by helping them deepen their connection to powerful and meaningful Jewish experiences, to each other, and to Temple Isaiah
-Meet with members to learn their stories and interests and deepen their sense of comfort, integration, and fulfillment at Temple Isaiah
-Ensure that Isaiah experiences address the needs of the range of all member ages and stages, with a special focus on “Empty Nester,” “Boomer” and “Senior” cohorts, as well as those members in transitionary stages
-Grow our relationship-based small group initiative: create and oversee short-term groups and curricula and monitor on-going long-term groups
-Support and engage lay leaders in developing, implementing, and sustaining new and existing experiences and programs
-Serve as a resource and clearinghouse for all Temple programming, ensuring that programs align with goals and mission
-Partner on building a leadership pipeline and develop new initiatives to recruit, connect, motivate, and honor volunteers
-Partner with Director of Congregational Learning to develop our adult education program and administer the program. Teaching adult education is an option.
-Collaborate with Membership Committee for outreach, new member orientation, and on-going involvement of new members
-Collaborate with staff and lay leaders on messaging and communication strategy
-Partner with staff and clergy to develop a path for families with young children to integrate with the larger Temple community
-In all areas, continuously evaluate ongoing initiatives, experiences, and programs, with an eye to improvement, replacement, or sunsetting
Staff Structure: The new DCE will report to the Senior Rabbi.
Compensation and Package: This is a new full-time position with competitive salary. Benefit package includes health insurance plan, retirement plan, vacation, etc.
To apply: Please send cover letter and resume to engagement@templeisaiah.net.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter who makes things happen. We seek a Jewish professional who has:
-Superior interpersonal skills, thriving on building relationships with individuals of all backgrounds and at all stages
-The ability to work in sacred partnership with different groups, including volunteers and professional staff
-Strong background of Judaic knowledge
-Experience in program development and management, preferably in the Jewish community
-Excellent oral and written communication and marketing skills
-Strong organizational and logistical skills, with attention to detail and ability to juggle competing demands
-Sound judgment and problem-solving skills
-Ability to think strategically and creatively
-Expertise in social media and networking
-Experience with community organizing or other relationally-based work preferred
-Flexible schedule (some evenings and weekends)
-Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree preferred in related field
engagement@templeisaiah.net
About Temple Isaiah
Temple Isaiah is a thriving Reform congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts. With almost 900 member units from Lexington and nearby communities, Temple Isaiah is an innovative, relationship-centered congregation that offers a broad range of spiritual, educational, social, and social justice experiences to engage folks of every age, stage, and background. The rooms of our building are abuzz and overflowing with activity at every hour of the day and evening. We are a community of intellectually curious, justice-driven, and openhearted seekers, coming together to grow, to learn, to connect, and to make our world a better place. We have always been passionate about asking big questions, and are excited to be begin a strategic planning process that will guide our transformation over the coming years.
