Community Engagement Manager

Why this job is exciting

• Build meaningful relationships across Jewish communal organizations — synagogues, schools, youth programs, and community groups — to grow awareness of Beit Issie Shapiro.
• Engage families and young people to adopt Beit Issie Shapiro as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project or a cause connected to milestones like birthdays and celebrations.
• Organize community gatherings and events, represent the organization at conferences, and collaborate with colleagues in Israel to grow local presence and impact.
• Work with a dedicated, collaborative team of professionals who support each other, with opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the organization.

What You’ll Do

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with Jewish communal organizations, families, educators, Rabbis and community leaders to drive community engagement, fundraising campaigns, and donor participation.
• Organize and host community gatherings, parlor meetings, and events, managing logistics and budgets.
• Represent AFOBIS and Beit Issie Shapiro at conferences, school programs, and other community initiatives.
• Track engagement in the CRM and identify opportunities for deeper involvement and support.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Israel to share impact stories, plan local events and secure speaking opportunities for visiting leadership.
• Cultivate networks of supporters and ambassadors to help grow awareness and engagement.

Who You Are

Required:

• 3 or more years of experience in nonprofit engagement, community organizing, education, fundraising, or a related field.
• Deep familiarity with and professional experience in Jewish communal institutions and networks, with the ability to build and maintain relationships across synagogues, schools, and community organizations.
• Confident relationship-builder with excellent communication and public speaking skills.
• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and excited to grow a new area of community engagement.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple projects, events, and budgets.
• High proficiency with the Microsoft 365 suite of products, especially with Excel, for data analysis and understanding trends. Training will be provided on organization-specific tools.
• Comfortable using cloud-based CRM systems to track engagement and analyze constituent engagement trends.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues in the U.S. and Israel, across various time zones (including US/Pacific and Israel).
• Committed to supporting the mission of an Israel-based disability organization and comfortable working closely with Israeli colleagues and partners. Passionate about advancing inclusion and opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Willing to travel regularly within NY/NJ and occasionally to other U.S. Jewish communities. This role requires regular evening and occasional weekend work for community events and programs.

About AFOBIS and BIS

American Friends of Beit Issie Shapiro (AFOBIS) builds awareness, partnerships, and philanthropic support across the U.S. for the transformative work of Beit Issie Shapiro (BIS), Israel’s pioneering leader and innovator in the field of disabilities, impacting more than 500,000 people in Israel and around the world each year.

Its mission is to create a more inclusive society where people with disabilities have equal rights and opportunities. Through its proven model of innovation, research, and scalable solutions, the organization develops life-changing services, pilots new approaches, evaluates their impact, and shares best practices globally.

With over 45 years of expertise, Beit Issie Shapiro is internationally recognized for leadership in early intervention, hydrotherapy, multisensory (Snoezelen) environments, assistive technology, inclusive education, mental health services, and family-centered support.

Reflecting its global impact, the organization has received more than 20 international awards, holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, and was among the first to receive Israel’s MIDOT Seal of Effectiveness. Since October 7, 2023, it has further adapted its expertise to meet urgent national needs, supporting families and wounded IDF veterans through assistive technology, therapeutic programs, and expanded rehabilitation services.

AFOBIS is a Jewish communal nonprofit organization. This position involves community engagement primarily within Jewish religious and communal institutions in the United States.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, personal days, U.S. national holidays, and Jewish holidays.
• Flexible work schedules with remote office environment.
• Reimbursement for insurance premiums (individual only)
• Professional development support, including ongoing mentorship and training, with annual opportunity to visit Israel to engage with Beit Issie Shapiro.

Advanced fluency and proficiency in English, both written and spoken, with the confidence to connect with community leaders and global stakeholders.

Hebrew language skills helpful for coordinating with Israel-based colleagues and reviewing program materials.