Director of Education

Beth David Reform Congregation

Gladwyne, Pennsylvania

Director of Education

Beth David Reform Congregation, nestled in the woodlands of historic Gladwyne, Pennsylvania just a few miles outside Center City Philadelphia, is a diverse, engaged, and joyful congregation of over 300 member families. We are seeking a new Director of Education for our community. “There’s no place like Beth David,” we often hear – and we hope that as our new Director of Education, you’ll fall in love with our synagogue the same way so many of us have. We are a community with a deep commitment to social justice, a love of music and nature, and an intellectual bent. We are ambitious in our commitment to build innovative and inspiring models of Jewish life. Our culture is informal and playful, but we are passionate about our values and our mission to Learn. Seek. Do.

There are over 100 students in our religious school, and we have a growing demand for additional out-of-school opportunities to foster community. Our members love being part of the Beth David community and will be committed to partnering alongside you to help you thrive as our Education Director.

Our new Director of Education will have a unique opportunity to step in as we are breaking ground on our new playground and launching our preschool. Our staff team includes a long- serving rabbi and cantor, a teaching faculty of both longtime veterans as well as newer teachers, and a new executive director who has brought fresh energy to our team. We are all excited to collaborate with you and welcome you to the Beth David family.

You’d Be A Great Match If You:

• Have experience in blending a welcoming, joyful environment with a program that provides engaging and age-appropriate learning in Judaics and Hebrew for the students.
• Have a vision for implementing innovative ideas to make Jewish traditions, texts, and values come alive for young people and families in a contemporary world.
• Have a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education or Education (preferred).
• Have a minimum of three years of related experience in relevant leadership/teaching positions in Jewish or other education settings, as well as demonstrated knowledge of Reform Judaism and Jewish life and culture.
• Have the organizational and management skill set to develop and implement curricula and educational programming based on knowledge of best practices and pedagogy in religious school education.
• Have the ability to develop metrics and track progress against religious school goals to drive measurable outcomes.
• Are detail-oriented and comfortable with technology; experience using Google Docs and ShulCloud preferred
• Enjoy actively building and nurturing relationships with students, parents, and faculty with warmth, caring, and menschlekeit.
• Thrive in a collaborative work environment with multiple stakeholder groups, such as students, parents, clergy, staff, and board members.
• Are passionate about fostering and modeling an inclusive learning environment for diverse student populations, including variations in gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, physical ability, religious background, and learning differences.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Religious School Oversight

• Thoughtfully evaluate, develop, update, and deliver curriculum in partnership with teachers and families.
• Oversee all aspects of hiring, training, supporting, supervising and evaluating teachers and other educational personnel.
• Determine what is needed to provide the most inclusive and safe learning environment for all students, with special consideration for those with additional needs. Establish an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for all staff, students, and congregants.
• Create metrics that will enable the ability to track progress against religious school goals to drive measurable outcomes.
• Support the launch and establishment of the new Preschool - The Harmony School - working in concert with Beth David’s Director of Early Childhood Programs as they manage The Harmony School.
• Oversee youth group programming, create robust teen programs and build relationships with teens to retain students beyond b-mitzvah.
• Teach electives, special programs, and classes as time allows; and coordinate school assemblies and special programs.
• Be an active and visible participant in congregational events, especially programs involving families and children.
• Correspond and meet with prospective families to introduce them to the Religious School and the congregation.

Communications

• Provide regular communications about school curriculum, learning goals, school activities, school policies and student progress to students, Board, and families.
• Promote educational programs to congregants through multiple communication channels.

Administration

• Create class assignments for religious school students and staff; coordinate scheduling of educational programs in alignment with the congregation’s overall calendar.
• Acquire appropriate learning materials for religious school with ample lead time for teacher preparation.
• In consultation with Congregation leadership and within the financial limits set by the Board of Trustees, create and adhere to the religious school budget.
• Ensure Pennsylvania state standards are met as applicable, including maintaining teacher and volunteer clearances and other required files, and implement health and safety protocols.
• Carry out standard administrative functions according to current congregation policies and practices.

Leading Innovation

• Partner with clergy and lay leadership team to create a vision for the next era of our community’s religious school that will make Jewish life accessible, inspiring, and transformative for the next generation.
• Participate in local and national organizations to enhance professional development and support ongoing innovation.
• Expand outreach efforts and expand our programming beyond Religious School to create multiple doorways into Jewish life.

It is an exciting time to join Beth David and assume this pivotal role while being a central part of our synagogue community. Your vision, creativity and leadership will be critical in developing a meaningful learning curriculum that inspires our youth, embodies our values, ensures an inclusive learning environment and grows our community.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base compensation: $75,000 - $100,000
• Percentage of pension in addition to salary: 15%
• Medical and dental insurance
• Paid vacation
• Additional benefits including funds for professional development

English. Familiarity with Hebrew language a plus.