Employment

DESCRIPTION

Mount Zion Temple is a vibrant and welcoming Reform Jewish community of over 650 households in St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1856, we treasure our rich heritage as the oldest Jewish congregation in the Upper Midwest, while embracing progressive ideals within our congregation and in our work in the Twin Cities Jewish and broader communities.

Mount Zion Temple’s Religious School mission is to engage students in a quality and inclusive Reform Jewish learning experience from preschool through 12th grade based on three core values: Da’at (knowledge), Kehillah (community), and Yahadut (Jewish identity).

We are seeking an exceptional, full-time director to lead our nationally-recognized Religious School (Pre-K through 12th grade). Our educational program is robust, with approximately 110 children in the Lower School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and 65 in the Chai School program (7th-12th grade), many of whom also serve as madrichim (classroom assistants) in the Lower School. The vast majority of our students continue on to Confirmation, and many continue through 11th and 12th grades. Our special needs inclusion program, KULAM, has been an essential feature of our religious school since the 1980s and a source of pride and strength.  Religious school takes place on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings from September through May.

The Religious School Director serves as part of the highly collaborative Mount Zion leadership team with clergy and fellow senior staff. The Director supervises our KULAM program coordinator, a faculty of 25-30 teachers, and support staff. The Religious School Committee meets monthly to support and advise the Director and to help engage religious school families.

A successful applicant will be a talented and committed educator and administrator with very strong leadership, organizational, and relationship building skills and a commitment to inclusive Jewish education. This applicant will have strong Judaic and Hebrew knowledge, deep understanding of Jewish pedagogy and curricula, and skills in program and fiscal administration as well as faculty recruitment, supervision, and development.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Mount Zion Religious School consistent with its mission and values. Primary responsibilities include recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and retaining highly qualified religious school staff (teachers, advocates for students with special needs, and childcare teachers).
• Supervise religious school teachers, the KULAM (inclusion) program coordinator, and childcare teachers for drop-in care.
• Inform and maintain strong relationships with teachers, staff, families, and the larger Mount Zion community. Create and share clear and timely formal communications (e.g., calendar, bulletins, meetings, eNews, curricular and programmatic updates) and maintain effective informal communication with these individuals and groups as needed.
• Oversee Religious School sessions on Wednesday afternoons/evenings and Sunday mornings during a school year (September through May).
• Oversee and evaluate several grade-level student Shabbatonim (some with overnights), 5-7 family education programs on Shabbatot or Sundays, and other school programs. As congregational leader, attend Shabbat services that include B’nei Mitzvah and other significant congregational events.
• Develop and maintain a fiscally sound budget in collaboration with the Executive Director, Clergy, Budget Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Serve as part of a congregational senior leadership team with clergy and other senior staff.
• Coordinate with the Youth and Young Adult Engagement Associate, who oversees the informal education programming at the congregation, to manage the teen madrichim (classroom assistants) program.
• Work in partnership with the Religious School Committee, a group of dedicated family members, clergy, and staff who work to support the success of the Religious School Director and Religious School programs.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Twin Cities Jewish organizations to facilitate a strong Jewish community and continued growth in religious school enrollment and Temple membership.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, 12-month appointment. Compensation includes a salary of $65,000 – $80,000, depending on experience.  Desired start date is July 1, 2023.

Benefits: HSA coverage, health insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability, and life insurance. (Per Mount Zion’s regular benefit policy, which may change from time to time.)

Retirement Plan/Pension Plan: Participation in the Mount Zion 403(b) Plan after 12 months of full-time employment as described in the Employee Handbook.

Vacation Days and Sick Time: Per the Mount Zion Employee Handbook and policy.

Annual Stipends for association dues and for professional development.

Mount Zion will provide a stipend for moving expenses if appropriate.  Onboarding and transition process work, if taking place prior to July 1, will be compensated at a mutually agreed upon rate.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

The Religious School Director reports to the Senior Rabbi. The Religious School Director will collaborate with the Rabbis, Cantors, and Religious School Committee regarding curriculum and programming to ensure alignment with synagogue-wide philosophy and practice.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Requirements:

• Ability to lead and manage a school providing Reform Jewish and Hebrew education.
• Ability to hire and instruct teachers in relevant, contemporary educational best practices.
• Ability to contribute to the leadership and overall vitality of the congregation as part of a senior leadership team.
• Previous classroom instructional experience.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field, and/or an undergraduate degree with demonstrated relevant experience.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Previous educational administrative experience.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience recruiting, training, and supervising religious school teachers.
• Knowledge of Hebrew language.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field.

We are open to candidates who are able to demonstrate their qualifications through non-traditional experience and credentials.  Interested candidates are encouraged to apply. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mount Zion Temple provides equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, age, sex national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants are asked to email a resume and letter of interest to Shai Avny, Executive Director, Mount Zion Temple, savny@mzion.org.