Director of Jewish Life and Learning

Gesher Jewish Day School is excited to announce an opportunity for an enthusiastic and dedicated Director of Jewish Life & Learning to join our dynamic teaching team. We take pride in our welcoming Jewish community day school that is deeply committed to fostering a growth mindset and instilling a love for learning.

The Director of Jewish Life & Learning will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the vision of Jewish life and Jewish Education at Gesher JDS. We seek an educator that will bring text to life for our students both in the classroom, our Beit Midrash, and outside in nature through engaging learning experiences. Our ideal candidate is a leader dedicated to cultivating a diverse and pluralistic environment, driving forward our vision of Jewish learning across the entire school. We are seeking a passionate Tefilah educator who can seamlessly integrate ashkenazi, sephardi, and mizrahi traditions into our prayer and holiday celebrations, fostering a rich and inclusive culture of Jewish belonging within our learning community.

Nestled within a wooded campus with a beautiful garden, hiking trails, a vernal pond, and a meadow, Gesher JDS seamlessly integrates the beauty of nature into our educational environment. This setting not only provides an inspiring connection to the outdoors, but also serves as a canvas for rich Jewish environmental experiences that are waiting to be created as well. 

We pride ourselves on nurturing growth for all of our students and teachers alike. We are a collaborative team and are looking for an inspiring educator to join our team and grow our vision. 

As the Director of Jewish Life & Learning, you will:

• Develop and implement a compelling vision for Jewish life at Gesher JDS, aligning it with the school’s ethos and values.
• Implement and help realign a comprehensive and engaging curriculum for Jewish Studies, ensuring alignment with educational standards and the unique needs of Gesher JDS.
• Integrate innovative teaching methodologies and resources to make the curriculum dynamic and relevant
• Collaborate with colleagues to align Jewish Studies curriculum with other subjects, fostering interdisciplinary connections.
• Continue our development of meaningful and pluralistic Tefilah (prayer) curriculum, fostering a deep connection to Jewish traditions and spirituality.
• Infuse creativity into Tefilah experiences, making them accessible and inspiring for students of varying backgrounds and levels of observance.
• Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment centered around the students.
• Design and execute engaging activities that encourage observation, questioning, and investigation.
• Provide instruction to both groups and individual students, setting clear and measurable objectives for all lessons.
• Tailor instruction to accommodate diverse learning needs and styles.
• Maintain regular and effective communication with parents/guardians.
• Collaborate closely with fellow teachers, specialists, and administrators to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive educational experience.

Qualifications:

• To be successful in this role, you should possess:
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; MAT/M.Ed preferred. A degree in Jewish Studies or Rabbinic degree is preferred. 
• Classroom experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in the use of technology.
• Strong consideration for those trained in Responsive Classroom.

Salary: $65-80K depending on experience. We strive to provide comprehensive benefits package that supports our faculty and staff, including:

• health insurance
• healthcare/dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• long/short term disability
• TIAA 403(b) with employer contribution after the first year
• 50% tuition reduction for employees’ children
• Paid holidays, sick days, and PTO time

Gesher Jewish Day School is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, and physical or mental disability. 

Join us at Gesher JDS and be part of a vibrant and collaborative community dedicated to the growth and development of both students and educators. Apply now to contribute to the rich tapestry of Jewish life at our school!