State Organizer-Texas

Location:                Remote/Online; located in Texas; occasional in-person meetings, as needed

Department:           Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Reporting to:          Director, Organizing

Start Date:               10/1/2022

Organization:           URJ

Employment Type:  Full Time, Benefits Eligible

THE ROLE 

The Religious Action Center (RAC) of Reform Judaism seeks a top-notch organizer to join the team to help redefine Jewish social justice in the Reform Movement for the 21st century and mobilize others for racially equity and a more inclusive Jewish community. The RAC’s team of State Organizers leverage the unique power of the Reform Movement to confront the unique social justice challenges of our time.

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

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

STATE AND NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS 

• Engage, support, and strengthen the organizing efforts of congregations poised and committed to do social justice campaign work in Texas.

• Build upon the successful cross-congregational campaigns of Reform synagogues in Texas, including, but not limited to:
  • Texas’ county-level efforts to ensure legal representation for undocumented immigrants.
  • Texas’ state-wide effort to expand and protect voting rights, including
• As a member of the staff team, participate in, to varying degrees, other aspects of the RAC’s work including staffing some L’Taken Teen Social Justice Fellowship weekends (located in Washington DC), as well as Union for Reform Judaism gatherings (location varies).

STATE ORGANIZING 

In partnership with local leadership teams of clergy and lay leaders in Texas, spearhead these efforts:

• Bring the state project into and/or deepen their involvement in multiracial coalitions and partnerships leading campaigns.
• Engage Reform Jews and other interested Jewish constituencies in strategic listening, research, and action campaigns.
• Develop broad networks of powerful and strategic constituencies within the Reform Movement: clergy, youth, young adults, and synagogue members through ongoing leadership development and skills training as they engage in campaigns.
• Coach Reform synagogues to expand the social justice/community organizing work in their own congregations.

• Involve Reform Jews in broad strategies such as petitions, call-in days, coordinated in-district legislative visits, and visits to the offices of targeted decision makers.
• Develop innovative messaging and communications that further campaign goals and motivate Reform Jews to engage with their state projects.
• Engage our financial stakeholders through regular updates and invitations to participate in our work and identify and recruit new sources – individual and institutional – of funding.
• Support congregations in these states as well as, on occasion, leaders and congregations in additional states, to participate in RAC’s national campaigns, both legislative/policy campaigns as well as civic engagement campaigns.

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. Three years’ experience developing and running campaigns at the local or state level.

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 differences 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.