State Organizer, Massachusetts

Location:                   Remote/Online/In person meetings, as needed

Organization:            URJ

Employment Type:   Full Time, Benefits Eligible

Department:              Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Reporting to:             Assistant Director, Organizing

THE ROLE 

The Religious Action Center (RAC) of Reform Judaism seeks an experienced organizer to work as a State Organizer with lay leaders and clergy to launch the RAC state project in Massachusetts. The State Organizer will join a team that is helping to redefine Jewish social justice in the Reform Movement for the 21st century and mobilize others for racially equity and a more inclusive Jewish community.

For more than sixty years, the RAC has been the social justice arm of the Reform Judaism Movement, which represents 850 Reform synagogues, 2000 Reform Rabbis and 2 million Reform Jews in North America. Community organizing is central to the RAC’s theory of change. The RAC has state projects in California, Illinois, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. These state projects are led by teams of Reform rabbis, cantors and lay leaders. They aim to bring about a world in which all people experience justice, wholeness, compassion, equity and joy by working in diverse coalitions that strengthen our multiracial democracy. They work to pass statewide legislation, enact municipal and/or state level policies, engage voters, and hold community leaders accountable based on Reform Jewish values. They build the capacity of Reform congregations and communities to move their members into action for social justice.

RAC-MA is the newest RAC state project, growing out of the Reform Movement’s participation in the 2020 ROE Act campaign, a piece of legislation in Massachusetts that proactively protects and expands reproductive rights. Massachusetts’s Reform Movement has a long history of engaging in faith-based community organizing efforts across the state by joining with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, the Massachusetts Communities Action Network, JALSA, Keshet, and additional partners.

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

The State Organizer of Massachusetts, will report to the Assistant Director, Organizing, and is responsible for the following:

• support the existing team of clergy and lay leaders in Massachusetts as they recruit and train a base of leaders in Reform congregations around the state, research potential statewide organizing campaigns, and develop and execute a 1-2 year organizing strategy.

• Help the existing leadership team draft its strategy and workplans.
• Support the sponsoring team to successfully realize their plans.
• Recruit and train participation across the state.

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

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

Social Justice & Campaigning. Passion for social and economic justice, with a particular focus on the role of congregations in social change. Ability and passion to develop and run campaigns to win legislative and corporate policy change at the local, state, and federal levels. Ready to launch a strategic campaign for change, implement it with determination and a readiness to adapt strategy as needed, and persist until successful. A proactive inclination to propose innovative ways to impact issues and engage congregants, clergy, and teens in our campaigns. Five years’ experience developing and running campaigns at the local or state level. Familiarity with Illinois’ political landscape.

Relationship Management. Can develop strong public relationships with senior rabbis, elected officials, press, funders, and leaders of powerful coalitions. Exhibits high “emotional intelligence,” prioritizes relationship building, is a good listener. Proven ability to bridge and build powerful, reciprocal relationships across difference and to help others do the same. Able to offer training in and a solid analysis of racial and structural injustice and how to transform it through organizing. Effective oral and written communication skills.

Organize & Mobilize. Demonstrated ability to think strategically, do a power analysis and understand the dimensions of power at work in the public square. Possess the capability to teach and empower others, particularly to train and mentor them to be able to become leaders and teachers of congregation-based community organizing efforts. Effectively build and deepen a network of leaders who in turn develop their own networks of leaders and can assess and develop potential talent.

Reform Judaism. Love of the Jewish community and an appreciation of synagogues’ ability to transform individuals and communities. Familiarity with Reform Judaism and the Reform Jewish community. Ability to analyze legislative proposals in the context of Reform Movement policies and priorities.

REDI Experience (Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Demonstrated experience prioritizing and executing on Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (i.e., ableism, LGBTQ+ Inclusion, antiracism, etc.) priorities.

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 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.