Director of Youth Organizing–Israel

Location: Remote/Online plus in-person support at events

Organization: URJ

Employment Type: Full Time, Benefits Eligible (Three-year grant funded position. Following the grant period, the role and project will be re-evaluated.)

Reporting to: Executive Director of Strategic Innovation and Programs

THE ROLE 

The Union for Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Camps, Youth, and Immersives department seeks a creative and collaborative Director of Youth Organizing – Israel to oversee an exciting new initiative to deepen Israel engagement in the Reform movement. Using relational and community organizing strategies, the Director will empower teens from a wide range of backgrounds (including Teens of Color, LGBTQ+ identifying teens, teens with disabilities and other underrepresented backgrounds) to galvanize their peers around Jewish life and Israel engagement while advocating for nuanced, compelling dialogue, celebration, and action. The Director will support the seamless implementation of this new initiative and be a key partner in developing a vision for a Reform approach to Israel Engagement. The Director of Youth Organizing – Israel is part of a new URJ Youth Organizing team, that bridges the space between community organizing and youth development by catalyzing a core belief in young people’s individual and collective power and partnering to create an inclusive, safe, and supportive year-round Reform teen community.

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

The Director of Youth Organizing for Israel reports to the Executive Director, Strategic Innovation and is responsible for the following:

TEEN FELLOWSHIPS 

• Create vision and strategy for teen fellowships and “short-term campaigns” that engage teen leaders in a variety of settings including North American camps and Israel.

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of fellowships with administrative and logistical support provided by members of the Youth Organizing Team.
• Hire and supervise Israel team members. Train, support, and supervise (2) part-time senior educators.
• Develop educational approach and curriculum that affirms teens from a wide range of backgrounds, helps teens actualize their power and find their voice as Jewish leaders. Through learning, mentorship, and action, support teens in creating campaigns and experiences for their peers, thus producing a cascade effect, by which each trained teen multiplies the impact of their education to draw in numerous other teens. Work in direct partnership with teen leaders and other stakeholders to develop and implement the curriculum.
• Build a culture of consistent reflection and evaluation that allows for the program to evolve and grow based on the needs of the community. Support data-driven evaluation of fellowship.
• Build and implement marketing, communications, and recruitment strategies for the Fellowships.

• Serve as the point person in collaboration with the corresponding teams from the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ) and the Israel based URJ team.
• Report ongoing development of fellowship goals and objectives to all relevant stakeholders. Work closely with the URJ Youth Organizing Team to share ideas, learn together, and streamline strategies across the movement.
• Find ways to consistently prioritize racial equity, diversity, & inclusion (REDI) through both recruitment, engagement, and programmatic efforts of the fellowship.

URJ YOUTH ORGANIZING TEAM  

• Develop, train, and mentor teens as they increasingly grow the Reform Youth Movement to be a movement that centers diverse teen leadership and reflects the values, interests, and aspirations of teens and their peers.

• Train, support, and supervise (15) part-time program mentors (either directly or indirectly).
• Partner with Reform synagogues and like-minded communities.
• Welcome alumni/volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds to be adult allies.
• Creates a vibrant and powerful youth community where teens from all backgrounds (including marginalized and underrepresented identities) can experience wholeness, justice, equity, love and joy in their Judaism.
• Be an active member of the larger team that brings together the full body of work with teens at the URJ including NFTY, Israel, Justice, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) and Camp Teen Leaders under one unified vision and infrastructure

WHO YOU ARE & KEYS TO SUCCESS (THE MUST-HAVES): 

To be successful in this job, you excel in the following areas:

• Israel Education. A deep understanding and compelling vision for Israel education that is compelling, nuanced, and empowering.
• Community Organizing. An understanding of the basics of a relational/community organizing approach to building a movement and taking action.
• Project Management. Self-motivated and able to manage multiple competing interests. Plan and execute projects from conception to implementation. Troubleshoot problems and challenges.  Reach out for help when needed.

• Flexibility. Ability to be flexible, take changes in stride, and respond accordingly. Comfortable with evolving responsibilities. Nimble, agile, and solutions focused.
• Interpersonal Skills and Communication. Effective oral and written communication skills and able to utilize different forms of relevant media. Ability to communicate and article vision to various groups of people.
• REDI Experience (Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Demonstrated experience prioritizing and executing on Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (i.e., ableism, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, antiracism, etc.) priorities.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Be present at in-person and virtual event experiences, as needed

ABOUT US 

Every team member at the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) plays an essential role in our mission to create a whole, just, and compassionate world. Our team is creative, thoughtful, and innovative. Each member of the team is empowered to make meaningful contributions to achieving our shared goals. Our diverse team is made up of individuals with different skills and backgrounds and every team member is willing to take risks as well as take action to develop and create big ideas for the future of the Reform Movement. While this position focuses on a particular area of work, every team member is a vital part of our overall success.

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides vision and voice to build strong communities that, together, transform the way people connect to Judaism and change the world. We acknowledge that due to racism, ableism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression, that our communities are not whole until everyone experiences a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. As the largest Jewish movement in North America, we stand for a Judaism that is inclusive and reflective of a wide range of identities and accept the responsibility of dismantling oppression both inside and outside of our communities. Through camping, youth experiences, programs, information sharing, and networking opportunities, our over 850 congregations and 15 residential camps create opportunities for our communities to enhance their capacity to build and expand community, engage in meaningful and authentic Jewish life, deepen Jewish learning, energize worship, pursue social justice and develop inspired leadership. Together, our employees and stakeholders, are creating Reform Judaism of today.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Please include a one-page cover letter along with your resume, outlining your skills and experience and how you meet the essential functions and qualifications of the position. We look forward to hearing from you!  Please click the link to APPLY ONLINE! Alternatively, please mail your resume and cover letter to: Union for Reform Judaism, Attn: Talent Management, 633 Third Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017.

The URJ strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment that is committed to creating a diverse environment. We promote strenuous policies and practices of equal opportunity and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.