Jewish Educational Center, Elizabeth, NJ
January 22, 2025Associated Talmud Torahs (ATT), Chicago, IL
January 22, 2025Director of Jewish Studies
Position Summary Jean and Samuel Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (FJA) seeks a Director of Jewish Studies (DJS) to develop and implement innovative and impactful models of Jewish education. We are seeking candidates with school administrative experience as well as expertise in experiential Jewish learning and Jewish identity building. Jewish camp experience and programming is desired. The candidate will be a creative, energetic, dynamic, organized, and driven individual who will be responsible for overseeing and implementing all Jewish life and learning programming at FJA.
The DJS will foster an intellectually open environment that is meaningful, appealing, and welcoming to a wide-range of Jewish families from diverse religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The DJS will work to create an atmosphere of Jewish celebration in FJA and form meaningful connections with students and staff.
The DJS will serve as a role model for students and others in Jewish knowledge, practice and behavior. They will develop collaborative partnerships, meaningful relationships and passionate commitment to the school’s mission and philosophy. The DJS will help articulate and implement a vision for Jewish Studies that is student centered, experiential, and engaging. Annual salary is $95,000 – $100,000 depending on experience. Jewish Studies Curriculum
The DJS will create an educational vision for Jewish Studies in consultation with the Head of School, the General Studies Principal and in collaboration with the Jewish Studies Department. The DJS will coordinate and oversee the implementation of the Jewish Studies program. This includes a curriculum for Jewish Studies that is responsive to the educational needs of the FJA community and supports FJA’s Mission and Philosophy. The DJS will review and revise the existing Jewish Studies curriculum and create and implement new courses, strengthening the religious and character development of our students through various curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular initiatives.
They will help grow the school by creating pathways and programs for easy entry into the school for students with little, moderate, or advanced Jewish background. Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Judaic Activities The DJS will oversee , in collaboration with the Student Life Coordinator, the planning and implementation of creative and innovative programming to further the religious mission of FJA outside of the classroom. These include Shabbatonim, holiday programming, day and extended field studies and service learning trips, and collaborating to develop cross-curricular Jewish content for trips. The DJS will, when necessary, act as an advisor to these programs (e.g., Moot Bet Din). General Administrative Responsibilities The DJS will be a member of FJA’s administrative team, providing leadership, oversight, and direction for the Jewish Studies programmatic and academic curricula. The DJS will be responsible for annual scheduling of Jewish Studies classes, student evaluation and placement, and interviewing candidates for admission to FJA in collaboration with the General Studies Principal.
The DJS will oversee ordering books and other curricular material, and managing inventory and storage of textbooks and resource materials. Z’man Kodesh The DJS will oversee, in collaboration with the Z’man Kodesh Coordinator, all religious services at FJA including the curricular Tefillah program and all cocurricular and extra-curricular religious services. The DJS is responsible for the review, design and implementation of the curricular Tefillah program.
Israel and Zionism The DJS will work with the Jewish Studies Department and the Student Life Coordinator to ensure the message of Zionism is disseminated in the FJA community. The DJS will ensure the functioning of Israel related clubs and the school’s Israel trip. The DJS will work with the College Counseling office to promote and advise students about Gap-Year programs in Israel including Yeshiva and Seminary studies. The DJS will assist the College Counseling office in running Gap-Year fairs and/or other promotional activities, and assist the College Counseling office in arranging visits from Yeshivot, Seminaries, and other study programs.
Teaching Responsibilities The DJS duties may include part-time teaching responsibilities in Jewish Studies, including filling in for prolonged teacher absences in a particular class(es). The DJS is expected to have a continuous knowledge of the curriculum and class expectations of all Jewish Studies courses. Supervisory Responsibilities The DJS will be responsible for managing, supervising, and evaluating Jewish Studies curricula and its implementation.
The DJS will also be responsible for managing, supervising, and evaluating the following staff members:
• Z’man Kodesh Coordinator
• Z’man Kodesh teachers • Student Life Coordinator
• Rabbinic Advisor
• Jewish Studies and Hebrew Department Chairs and Faculty
The DJS will be expected to continually recruit new Judaic faculty by developing relationships with teacher education programs and career referral services. In the absence of a Department Chair (e.g., Bible Department chair) in Judaics, the DJS will be expected to fulfill the requisite managerial duties.
Qualities and qualifications:
● Holds a master’s level or other advanced degree in education, Jewish education, or related field.
● Demonstrates a strong understanding of current instructional and learning practices.
● Possesses knowledge of Hebrew and broad and deep familiarity with Jewish texts and scholarship.
● Refers to the mission, vision and philosophy in all decision making.
● Demonstrates collaborative leadership and supervision.
● Works well as a team member, seeking feedback from colleagues and constituents.
● Uses effective management techniques to support and guide effective goal setting and evaluation.
● Envisions clear, innovative and aspirational goals for teaching and learning, and is able to share those goals to motivate all constituents.
● Utilizes strong written and verbal communication skills.
● Has the ability to be an active and attentive listener.
● Is highly organized and pays attention to detail. Responsibilities in the Detroit Jewish Community
The DJS will be called on to serve as an ambassador for FJA at recruitment events, actively recruiting students from local synagogues, day schools, camps, and youth groups.
General Requirements
• A criminal history background check is required of all employees.
• Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
• References will be required; transcripts may be required. FJA is a coeducational, independent high school that functions as both an academic and a religious institution, offering a dual curriculum of college preparatory general studies and classical text-based Jewish studies.
The school, which operates within a framework of Jewish law, draws its student body from diverse backgrounds to learn together in an open and tolerant religious environment. FJA offers a warm and supportive working environment with a competitive salary, generous holiday schedules & time off, and an excellent benefits package. If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your resume, cover letter and references to [email protected]. In the subject title, please write “Director of Jewish Studies.” You may also fax these forms to 248.592.0022. Frankel Jewish Academy is a non-profit private secondary academy. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are committed to the belief that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation or pregnancy), disability, religion, national origin or genetic information.
To find out more about Frankel Jewish Academy, visit our website at www.frankelja.org.
For more information or to apply for this position, please contact Rabbi Heshy Glass at [email protected] or 516.368.3333