About New Synagogue Project

The New Synagogue Project (NSP) is building a community that is spiritually vibrant, radically inclusive, and reflects our vision for a world of justice, equity, and liberation. Our community is built by and for religious, secular, and atheist Jews, families with kids, partnered and single people, queer and trans people, disabled and chronically ill people, D/deaf and hard of hearing folks, interfaith families, Jews of color and white Jews, and anyone interested in exploring and experiencing Jewish life. We are a multiracial community committed to dismantling racism and white supremacy, and we are committed to providing a spiritual and communal home for those who may not always easily be able to find one elsewhere. 

Our membership consists of ~300 households representing over 500 people, including 100 children, and our core staff team includes 3 full-time (Rabbi, Synagogue Director, and Education Director) and 2 part-time (Jews of Color Coordinator and Administrative Associate) roles. We have an active lay leadership, including our 16-member Team of Instigators (NSP’s board), 7-member Strategy Team (our executive board), and many other volunteer leaders who coordinate teams and programs.

About the Program

NSP has a significant and growing number of families with young children. While we’ve served this constituency through our Tot Shabbat program from the beginning, we hope to build out more robust programming, as we have for families with school-aged children (i.e. our religious school, Kollel). Bereishit (“in the beginning”) is envisioned to be a hub for a set of programs, new and existing, that serve families with children not yet old enough to enroll in Kollel, from parents-to-be who are expecting their first child to those with preschoolers. Our goals are for parents to build relationships with one another, make sustaining connections to and gain support from the NSP community, and move along their family’s Jewish learning journey through kid-, adult-, and whole family-centered content. The positions described here are focused on supporting a new cohort-style program on Shabbat mornings that will provide parallel programming for parents and their children.

Position Description

NSP is seeking a part-time Family Educator to facilitate young children playgroups that happen concurrently on Shabbat mornings. We hope to launch the first 6 week cohort in March 2024 as a pilot and another in May 2024, each cohort to be capped at 12 families. 

The position requires 4 hours per week during weeks the cohort is in session and will be paid $50 per hour. The program will meet on Shabbat mornings at 9:30-10:30am, the role will require working 9:00-11:00am inclusive of setup and cleanup. Work outside the cohort time itself (prep and debrief) will occur remotely. The position reports to NSP’s Synagogue Director.

Responsibilities for the Young Children’s Playgroup Family Educator position include:

  • Prepare an activity for playgroup sessions that connect to Jewish holidays, values, or stories. This can be art, music, theater, or any other interactive medium that will engage young children (pre-kindergarten)
  • Procure materials needed (to be reimbursed) or coordinate with NSP’s Administrative Associate to do so
  • Collaborate with childcare providers during playgroup sessions to support children’s engagement and ensure their well-being
  • Uphold NSP’s values and foster a space of inclusivity and mutual respect
  • Set up and clean up playgroup space, along with childcare providers
  • Coordinate with Adult Learning Family Educator to include any relevant information about children’s activities in reminder and update emails to parents
  • Discuss issues and share feedback with NSP’s Synagogue Director and/or Education Director as needed

Application Process 

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@newsynagogueproject.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with preference for applications received by Jan 31; the position will be open until filled. We hope to launch the program in March 2024. This is our anticipated process for the selection of this position:

  • Individual screening phone call with the Synagogue Director
  • Zoom video interview with the Synagogue Director and a small hiring committee
  • Reference checks 
  • Background check

NSP is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to racial equity, accessibility, and social justice. Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, Black and Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA people are strongly encouraged to apply. NSP does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, sex, age, gender identity or expression, or other status protected by applicable law.