What you can expect at NSSBE as the Youth Community Director:

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El’s Youth Community encompasses three youth groups for children in 2nd through 12th grade. We educate our youth about Judaism and themselves in an experiential environment, help them grow as Jewish individuals, and foster lasting Jewish friendships. The Youth Community stands on the pillars of: experimentation and exploration, relationships, interconnectedness with congregational programming, and providing a concierge service of expanded youth programming on the local, regional and national level. We offer varied programming corresponding to the interests and passion of youth-both in a larger group and individual format, identify new opportunities to form connections and friendships, and increase the joy and excitement associated with Jewish life through youth-centered, synagogue-wide programs.

You will be working as part of an education team and within a larger professional staff where you have the collaborative partnership and autonomy to own your work but be supported in your vision. Because of your role in maintaining safe child operations, we ask that our Youth Community Director is vetted by a professional background check. This position is under the supervision of the Director of Congregational Learning, and has lay partnerships with the Youth Commission Chairperson and the VP of Education.

What you will need to succeed:

This position requires strong leadership skills, enthusiasm, excellent communication and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will be inspired by Conservative Judaism, and have experience working with youth and teens, preferably through youth group or camp experience. This person must serve as a positive Jewish role model. We are looking for a passion for ensuring excellent experiential education experiences and warmth, integrity, and strong organizational and planning skills.

What you will work on:

• Programming occurs weekday evenings and weekends. For each youth group (grades 2-4, 5-8, 9-12) there will be programming on approximately this basis:
• 5-7 programs for children in grades 2-4
• 3-4 programs for children in grades 5-8 including regional and synagogue programming.
• 3-4 programs for teens in grades 9-12 plus regional activities and synagogue programming, as well as Jewish Teen Project classes and community Jewish teen events.

The Youth Community Director will staff our Jewish Teen Project (Sokol Hebrew High School) which includes weekend and evening sessions throughout the school year and assist with recruitment and engagement in this program as a part of our programming offerings to teens in our community. Outside of required programming and meetings for this full-time position, office hours are flexible.

Specific duties:

• Working with a Teen Leadership Board, providing guidance while nurturing leadership
• Ensure that there is quality programming and adequate staff for programs, including hiring and training youth advisors
• Create the Youth Community programming calendar, providing logistical support and marketing
• Develop strong relationships with parents to ensure they become partners of and advocates for the Youth Community
• Analyze and prepare budget for approval, oversee and track expenses
• Ensure the safety of all participants while planning for and supervising programs
• Help publicize and staff Conservative Movement Youth programming in the Chicagoland area
• Café Kef programming on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3-4 pm
• Staff/support Holiday programming done in conjunction with the Cohen Religious School

General duties:

• Follow all appropriate NSSBE policies
• Take the lead on administrative tasks inc. attendance, recruitment, marketing, program logistics and partnership with other education departments
• Staff synagogue wide events such as the Purim Carnival as needed
• Develop working relationships with youth, parents, and synagogue leaders
• Understand, observe and enforce all policies and religious standards at each event, including: supervision, safety, kashrut, Shabbat