Job Description: Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator

Since our founding in 1825, B’nai Jeshurun (BJ) has been at the forefront of the American Jewish experience. As we approach our third century, our vision is focused on the spiritual work of transformation and on the creation of a Jewish spiritual path that is authentic and profound, and helps each member seek and live their purpose to the fullest.

Our spiritual leaders and our almost 1,800 member families share a vision of a diverse, dynamic, and welcoming community that offers many paths to Jewish religious life, while supporting one another in their spiritual quests. We are committed to honoring tradition while re-imagining and innovating our practices and programs to create vibrant Jewish life for the 21st century.

BJ is in its fifth year of implementing a strategic plan that was completed in spring 2015 after more than a year of intensive work by our members, spiritual leaders, and staff. The plan is built around four pillars: Strengthening Community Connections and Building a Shared Sense of Belonging; Prayer, Music, and Spiritual Practice; Responding to the Prophetic Vision through Social Justice and Hesed; and Engaging and Supporting Jewish Families in their full diversity.

With the fourth pillar particularly in mind, we are seeking a Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator to join the Family Life and Learning team, with the primary responsibility of overseeing young family education from birth through 2nd grade.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive leader, able to relate to parents with a focus on young families. The position will rely heavily on the coordinator’s administrative and organizational skills to help support and implement new programming for this crucial demographic. As such, this position requires a high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to be effective in various roles. The ideal candidate will seek out creative ways to connect with parents, young families, and to the wider BJ community. 

This is a full-time position. The right candidate will be one who can make, at least, a two year commitment to this department. The Coordinator is an active part of the Family Life and Learning Department and a regular fixture on Shabbat, holidays, and in the community of BJ families. The Coordinator will report to the Director of Family Life and Learning. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the director of Family Life and Learning create a new vision for how we welcome support and offer programming for parents with infants and toddlers.
• Recruit and retain families from birth through 2nd grade, building community through Shabbat and holiday programs, parent gatherings, etc.
• Provide support and counseling opportunities for parents in the community
• Coordinate all parent and young family programs, including creation of curriculum, staff, recruitment, and communication for existing and new programs.
• Oversee and expand on the success of Bim Bam, Shira with Shirah, Tot Shabbat, and Day of Service programs by experimenting with new, innovative models and offerings for young families.
• Work in partnership with the Young Families Committee on programming, new initiatives, and opportunities for parental/family involvement. 
• Work with the Director to create intergenerational learning and engagement opportunities with grandparents and other family members.
• Capitalize on opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration and create intergenerational learning opportunities for families.
• Responsible for the creation and facilitation of age-appropriate holiday and Shabbat programming for families.
• In collaboration with the department and lay leaders, oversee the vision and implementation of our Young Families Retreat, assist with planning, and serve as an educator for immersive programming, including the Reach for Shabbat Retreat.
• Inspire parents and young families to deepen their own commitments to spiritual growth and Jewish practice.
• Be a consistent presence on Shabbat, holidays, and at other community-wide programs.
• Other duties may be assigned by the Director of Family Life and Learning.

Management and Administration 

• Coordinate logistics and programmatic details for young family programs, including scheduling, virtual sessions, room set-up, food, and materials. 
• Oversee budget of parent and young family programming, in conjunction with the Director of Family Life and Learning.
• Work in conjunction with the Assistant Rabbi to build points of engagement and plan programmatic content for Shabbat and holidays.
• Work with the communications department to manage various forms of communications and publicity, including social media, phone recruitment, regular email communication with families, updates for the Kol Jeshurun (weekly print publication), other print materials, advertising, and the BJ website.
• Document and publicize the success of young family programs to the BJ and wider Jewish community.
• Document and compile programmatic data to best understand the effectivity and success of programs 
• Attend and participate in various activities, as designated by the Director, including workshops, meetings, parent events, professional learning, field trips, cultural projects, congregational events, and other programs.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Preferred,  bachelors or masters degree in early childhood education or MSW 
• Preferred. Two years of experience in the field.
• A self-starter who takes initiative.
• A highly motivated, creative, and strategic thinker who seeks out new and creative ways to engage young families.
• Ability to organize ideas, people, and time into a coherent action plan, and to clearly communicate the plan to all stakeholders.
• Creative, energetic team player with high standards of excellence and the ability to foster those qualities in others.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and strong organizational skills.
• Comfortable working with new technology; experience with Salesforce a plus.
• Provides vision, leadership, strong project management, and experience integrating values into age-appropriate, educational programs.
• Demonstrated success working with children from birth to seven years old, creating welcoming environments, and building meaningful relationships.
• Is passionate about living and learning, fun, creative, enthusiastic, and has a good sense of humor.
• The successful candidate will bring a personal commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Is excited to work as a part of a team to create new and exciting opportunities for learning.

Work Location 

While BJ is primarily a virtual organization at the time of this posting, we anticipate a structured return to in-person programming and work over the summer of 2021. As such, all candidates must be able to work remotely comfortably, and be available to report to the campus in-person as needed related to their work, with 72 hours advance notice, while following all relevant city and state COVID-19 travel guidelines.

Compensation

Benefits package will be offered to full-time employees, including health insurance, dental, vision, professional development, and more.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

B’nai Jeshurun is committed to creating a staff culture and congregational community that is accessible, inclusive, and equitable. In particular, we have been on a journey over the past several years to understand the history and impact of racism in America, within the American Jewish community, and within the BJ congregation and staff in particular. We seek to build a community and staff that reflects and celebrates the diversity of America, as well as of the Jewish community, and are looking for team members who want to be part of our ongoing learning, and to contribute to it. 

People of Color, Jews of Color, Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.