Youth and Young Adult Engagement Coordinator
Emanuelhouston, Houston, TX, United States
Youth and Young Adult Engagement Coordinator
The Youth and Young Adult Engagement Coordinator (YYAEC) is a creative, confident and enthusiastic professional, responsible for connecting with Congregation Emanu El’s youth and teens through intentional relationship-based engagement, experiential educational programming, and inspiring teen leadership. As a member of our education team, this position offers an opportunity to partner with our Rabbis, Cantor and Director of Helfman Religious School, along with professional staff and lay leaders to build dynamic and innovative entry points into Jewish living and learning experiences.
Core Responsibilities
Creativity and Vision
Collaborate with the Associate Rabbi and the Director of Helfman Religious School to develop and execute the congregation’s vision for its youth program.
Relationship-Based Engagement
One measurement for success will be based on the number and depth of relationships built with teens who are currently active community participants AND with those on the periphery. Meet one-on-one or in small groups with teens in order to engage them in Jewish life and to understand the needs of their peers in the Houston teen community. (We will work together to implement a tracking method to support measuring your success.)
Teen Programming and Leadership Development
Create a culture of teen engagement in which teen leaders take responsibility for engaging other teens. Work with teens to plan and deliver a variety of social, religious, and social action programs that will reach teens where they are and help them to connect to Jewish life and community.
In partnership with the Director of Helfman Religious School, further develop and execute the vision for a robust Teaching Assistant (TA) program, to include meaningful professional development for all participants, with particular attention paid to the 8th grade training program. Our TA program currently engages 80-90 teens each year; the Youth Engagement Coordinator will continue to work to build on this success.
Lead by example by modeling our congregation’s values and by being present at important temple events and educational milestones (High Holy Days, Consecration, Confirmation, Graduation, etc).
Immersive Education
Coordinate a robust schedule of immersive travel experiences: For teens at the RAC’s L’taken Social Justice Experience in DC, in Poland and Israel on the Shirley Barish Memorial Israel Experience, in Galveston at the 10th grade Confirmation retreat, at Greene Family Camp’s (GFC) year-round programs, at temple at the 6th Grade B’nei Mitzvah Shabbaton and other overnight programs, and for Young Professionals on the Southern Jewish Heritage trip.
Support the Jr. Youth Group Advisor in creating opportunities for our younger kids in grades 4-6 to experience a taste of youth group and a chance to connect with their Emanu El peers.
Teaching & Learning
Collaborate with the Helfman Religious School faculty and staff to develop and enrich experiential education offerings, both during religious school hours and on Shabbat and Holidays.
Serve as faculty and coordinate social programming and dinners for Wednesday night Upper School (grades 8-12).
Parent Engagement
Collaborate with the Associate Rabbi to develop critical resources and opportunities to engage parents as our partners in youth engagement.
Work with the Associate Rabbi and programming team to plan and implement engaging monthly programming for the Emanu El Young Professionals (EEYP) for people in their 20’s and 30’s, including our quarterly Warehouse Shabbat experience.
Build and maintain relationships with and among EEYP members.
Communication
The YYAEC is responsible for helping to maintain lines of communication between key youth and young adult stakeholders, including teens, young professionals, and parents. Duties include, but are not limited to, creating content for the Congregation Emanu El website and social media pages, sending regular emails and text messages to parents and teens about upcoming events, ensuring youth content in congregational publications, and maintaining strong lines of face-to-face and phone communication with parents and teens.
Qualifications
Excited to share your passion for Judaism with youth
Desire to inspire teen leadership
High emotional intelligence and ability to relate to kids and teens
Ability to work in collaborative teams
Highly organized self-starter, able to manage multiple projects concurrently
Background in Reform Jewish youth movements and/or camping
Minimum 2-5 years experience in a youth-oriented position
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Capacity for reflection and aspiration for professional growth
Ability to work a varied schedule including nights and weekends
Salary & Benefits
Salary Band: $48,000-$50,000
Generous paid time off (PTO)
Medical and disability insurance
Professional dues and conference budget
Discount on religious school and preschool tuition
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Youth and Young Adult Engagement Coordinator (YYAEC) is a creative, confident and enthusiastic professional, responsible for connecting with Congregation Emanu El’s youth and teens through intentional relationship-based engagement, experiential educational programming, and inspiring teen leadership. As a member of our education team, this position offers an opportunity to partner with our Rabbis, Cantor and Director of Helfman Religious School, along with professional staff and lay leaders to build dynamic and innovative entry points into Jewish living and learning experiences.
Core Responsibilities
Creativity and Vision
Collaborate with the Associate Rabbi and the Director of Helfman Religious School to develop and execute the congregation’s vision for its youth program.
Relationship-Based Engagement
One measurement for success will be based on the number and depth of relationships built with teens who are currently active community participants AND with those on the periphery. Meet one-on-one or in small groups with teens in order to engage them in Jewish life and to understand the needs of their peers in the Houston teen community. (We will work together to implement a tracking method to support measuring your success.)
Teen Programming and Leadership Development
Create a culture of teen engagement in which teen leaders take responsibility for engaging other teens. Work with teens to plan and deliver a variety of social, religious, and social action programs that will reach teens where they are and help them to connect to Jewish life and community.
In partnership with the Director of Helfman Religious School, further develop and execute the vision for a robust Teaching Assistant (TA) program, to include meaningful professional development for all participants, with particular attention paid to the 8th grade training program. Our TA program currently engages 80-90 teens each year; the Youth Engagement Coordinator will continue to work to build on this success.
Lead by example by modeling our congregation’s values and by being present at important temple events and educational milestones (High Holy Days, Consecration, Confirmation, Graduation, etc).
Immersive Education
Coordinate a robust schedule of immersive travel experiences: For teens at the RAC’s L’taken Social Justice Experience in DC, in Poland and Israel on the Shirley Barish Memorial Israel Experience, in Galveston at the 10th grade Confirmation retreat, at Greene Family Camp’s (GFC) year-round programs, at temple at the 6th Grade B’nei Mitzvah Shabbaton and other overnight programs, and for Young Professionals on the Southern Jewish Heritage trip.
Support the Jr. Youth Group Advisor in creating opportunities for our younger kids in grades 4-6 to experience a taste of youth group and a chance to connect with their Emanu El peers.
Teaching & Learning
Collaborate with the Helfman Religious School faculty and staff to develop and enrich experiential education offerings, both during religious school hours and on Shabbat and Holidays.
Serve as faculty and coordinate social programming and dinners for Wednesday night Upper School (grades 8-12).
Parent Engagement
Collaborate with the Associate Rabbi to develop critical resources and opportunities to engage parents as our partners in youth engagement.
Work with the Associate Rabbi and programming team to plan and implement engaging monthly programming for the Emanu El Young Professionals (EEYP) for people in their 20’s and 30’s, including our quarterly Warehouse Shabbat experience.
Build and maintain relationships with and among EEYP members.
Communication
The YYAEC is responsible for helping to maintain lines of communication between key youth and young adult stakeholders, including teens, young professionals, and parents. Duties include, but are not limited to, creating content for the Congregation Emanu El website and social media pages, sending regular emails and text messages to parents and teens about upcoming events, ensuring youth content in congregational publications, and maintaining strong lines of face-to-face and phone communication with parents and teens.
Qualifications
Excited to share your passion for Judaism with youth
Desire to inspire teen leadership
High emotional intelligence and ability to relate to kids and teens
Ability to work in collaborative teams
Highly organized self-starter, able to manage multiple projects concurrently
Background in Reform Jewish youth movements and/or camping
Minimum 2-5 years experience in a youth-oriented position
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Capacity for reflection and aspiration for professional growth
Ability to work a varied schedule including nights and weekends
Salary & Benefits
Salary Band: $48,000-$50,000
Generous paid time off (PTO)
Medical and disability insurance
Professional dues and conference budget
Discount on religious school and preschool tuition
#J-18808-Ljbffr