Program Associate, Adult Programming and Engagement (Full-time)

Since its founding in 1825, B’nai Jeshurun (BJ), a non-affiliated synagogue on the Upper West Side, has been at the forefront of the American Jewish experience. As it approaches its third century, its vision remains focused on the spiritual work of transformation and on the creation of a Jewish path that is authentic, profound, and helps all members of the community seek and live their purpose to the fullest.

BJ’s spiritual leaders, Rabbis Rolando Matalon, Felicia Sol, and Rebecca Weintraub, and Hazzan Ari Priven, as well as BJ’s nearly 2,000 member families, share a vision of a diverse, dynamic, and inclusive community that offers many paths to Jewish religious life while supporting one another in their spiritual quests. BJ is committed to honoring tradition while re-imagining and innovating its practices and programs to create a vibrant, contemporary, and relevant Jewish life for all who seek it.

We are excited to welcome a new Program Associate to the Adult Programming and Engagement department. The mission of this department is to support BJ members in developing a meaningful Jewish community by building connections and caring for others, here at BJ and in the world. The Program Associate will contribute to this mission by supporting two key areas of our department: Aviv, BJ’s rapidly growing 20s/30s community, and BJ’s Social Justice and Social Action program area. The Program Associate reports to the Chief Program and Engagement Officer, with a dotted line report to the Senior Manager of Social Action and Social Justice.

The successful candidate will have a passion for building meaningful Jewish life; commitment to social justice and an interest in the intersection of justice work and Judaism, excellent communications and project management skills; the flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; and the experience to partner with colleagues across the organization. This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the start of a career in the Jewish non-profit sector, who has demonstrated aptitude in a previous work position or in a substantial volunteer role (eg: leadership of a college student group), and is ready to take their next step. 

Key Responsibilities

Aviv: 20s/30s 

BJ’s Senior Rabbinic Fellow will drive the Aviv programming, with support from the Program Associate as follows:

• Work with the Fellow to create a connected and engaged community through monthly Shabbat services and dinners; other holiday, social, and learning events; communications (email, WhatsApp, social media); and personal interactions 
• Manage administrative elements of Aviv program execution, including but not limited to: communications requests, acquiring program materials, processing invoices and expenses, and troubleshooting on the go
• Be a face of Aviv at specific programs and events, engaging participants and providing on-site program coordination
• Help to build and foster relationships within and across the Aviv community
• Together with Senior Rabbinic Fellow, develop opportunities for Aviv to engage in the wider BJ community and program areas, including social action/social justice, holiday celebrations, and Shabbat services
• Based on experience and passions, possibility to lead smaller events and programs for the Aviv demographic

Social Action and Social Justice

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Manager of Social Action and Social Justice to provide logistical and administrative support for programs such as weekly immigrant respite dinners, weekly soup kitchen, biannual blood drives and more. Responsibilities may include communications requests, overseeing inventory and ordering program materials, processing invoices and expenses, and on-site program coordination
• Support the coordination and engagement of volunteers before, during and after programs, ensuring a meaningful experience, smooth participation and follow-through 
• Assist with basic financial accounting, record-keeping, and budget tracking for various programs and initiatives
• Design and create outreach materials to promote programs and initiatives effectively
• Build and maintain positive, respectful relationships across diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. As time and interest permit, engage in outreach efforts to specific communities to encourage participation and strengthen program engagement

Other program areas

• Provide administrative support for Intro to Judaism class and conversion process
• As needed, participate in and support other BJ-wide programs and experiences, including but not limited to:
  • On-site program coordination for select holiday and community programs
  • Staffing select High Holy Day services
  • Participating in significant community events (in recent years this has included BJ Shabbaton and Sanctuary Centennial Celebration)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• 2-3 years experience in program/events management, preferably in a Jewish context. This could be professional experience, or serving in a substantial volunteer role such as leading a campus student group;
• Experience working in an office environment (as staff or volunteer)
• Highly organized with a strong ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and ensure attention to detail under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Commitment to building meaningful Jewish community and the ability to inspire engagement 
• Excellent skills in collaboration, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication.

Personal Qualities and Values

• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit;
• High emotional intelligence and maturity;
• Relational orientation and team player;
• Flexibility, willingness to listen effectively, seek and receive feedback;
• Humble confidence, openness to being mentored;
• Commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice;
• Belief in stretching oneself and growing as a spiritual practice; and
• Sense of humor.

Schedule

The Program Associate is a hybrid position, with the current expectation of 3 days in the office from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and the remainder of the week working remotely. This position requires flexibility in order to support select Shabbat, holiday, and evening programs (including recurring Thursday evenings) as noted above; as well as to attend on-site monthly staff meetings, departmental meetings, and various community programs. We value work-life balance and offer flex time to accommodate these unique commitments outside of traditional working hours. As the organization’s needs evolve, there may be future adjustments in the balance between in-office and remote work.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time non-exempt position, with a starting salary between $55,000 to $65,000 for those who meet the minimum job requirements. BJ offers medical, dental, and vision insurance policies, as well as vacation and sick days, over 20 paid (national and Jewish) holidays, a 403b retirement plan, and many other benefits. 

This position is funded by a generous grant to support BJ’s strategic growth. 

To Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter to Human Resources at hr@bj.org with the subject line “Program Associate, Adult Engagement”.

B’nai Jeshurun is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in recognition of its values, commitment to social justice, and responsibility to its spiritual leaders and staff, congregants, and the communities within which it lives and works.  It strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, veterans, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ applicants.