Director Of Jewish Education

Temple Israel is a 180-year-old Reform synagogue located in central Ohio, deeply committed to Jewish learning, community, and the growth of young Jewish lives in an inclusive and welcoming environment. We believe meaningful Jewish education is built through strong relationships—among students, families, clergy, and a professional staff that works closely, thoughtfully, and collaboratively.

Temple Israel seeks a seasoned, highly organized Jewish educator to serve as Director of Jewish Education, leading our growing Religious School and teen programming. This is not an entry-level role. It is a senior, operational leadership position for a professional who has successfully run a school and is ready to bring both strong execution and thoughtful vision to a thriving community.

The Director of Jewish Education oversees Jewish education for students in Pre-K through 7th grade, leads teen engagement and Madrichim programming, supervises faculty and teen staff, and partners closely with clergy and professional leadership.

Success in this role requires exceptional organizational and time-management skills, comfort with weekly administrative responsibilities, strong Jewish educational pedagogy, and the ability to build trusting relationships with families.

We are intentional about our professional culture and seek a colleague who values collaboration, accountability, consistency, and long-term program building.

• Provide comprehensive leadership and day-to-day management of the Religious School (Pre-K–7)
• Ensure smooth operations, consistency, and a high-quality educational experience
• Oversee weekly administrative responsibilities including:
• Scheduling and staffing coordination
• Lesson readiness and supply preparation
• Family communication
• Balance strong operational execution with thoughtful program evolution
• Strengthen and build upon existing curriculum
• Lead implementation and evaluation of Religious School and Hebrew Pod curricula in partnership with clergy and the education team
• Apply strong knowledge of educational pedagogy, child development, and Jewish education
• (Hebrew language learning experience is a strong plus)
• Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Religious School teachers and Teen Madrichim
• Provide training and leadership development for Teen Madrichim as educators and Jewish role models
• Currently supervises approximately 13 teachers and 27 Teen Madrichim

• Lead post–B’nai Mitzvah teen engagement and leadership development
• Oversee and grow the Madrichim program
• Support teen trips and travel experiences

• Partner effectively with parents and caregivers through clear communication and expectation-setting
• Navigate challenges with professionalism, warmth, and responsiveness
• Build trust through consistency and relationship-centered leadership
• Reports to the Executive Director
• Partners closely with clergy on educational vision and curriculum
• Teachers and teen staff
• Collaborates with professional and administrative colleagues
• Serves as a thought partner with the Jewish Educators Organization (JEOrg) of Columbus

• Proven success leading a synagogue-based Religious School or comparable educational program
• 3–5+ years of senior leadership experience in Jewish education, including:
• Operations
• Staff supervision
• Clear professional identity as a Jewish educator grounded in Jewish learning, tradition, holidays, and communal life
• Interest in long-term leadership and program continuity

• Strong educational pedagogy and understanding of child development
• Operational leadership and weekly program management
• Initiative and follow-through
• Effective time management and prioritization
• Confident family partnership and communication
• Collaborative leadership style
• Comfort with educational technology and systems
• Comfort with social media
• Flexibility and adaptability within a structured environment
• Includes Tefillah, Havdalah, Shirah with the Cantor, and experiential learning
• Approximately 200 students (including Madrichim)
• One weekday afternoon,…