Engagement Coordinator

Temple Israel is seeking a dynamic, creative, and relationship-driven Engagement Coordinator to join our Education Team. This full-time, academic year (10- month) position is responsible for building meaningful relationships with teens in grades 6-12 and young adults while planning and facilitating engaging social, educational, leadership, and community-building experiences rooted in Jewish values.

The Engagement Coordinator will help strengthen and grow our teen and young adult community by creating innovative programming, mentoring teen leaders, supporting religious school initiatives, and fostering a welcoming environment where every child and young adult feels connected to Jewish life. This individual will collaborate closely with clergy, educators, lay leaders, volunteers, and families to cultivate Jewish identity, leadership, and lifelong community engagement.

This position reports directly to the Director of Youth Education and Programming.

Primary Responsibilities

Teen Programming & Young Adult Engagement

Plan, publicize, and staff bi-weekly teen programming for students in grades 6–12 and young adult programming for ages 20s-30s.
Develop creative social, recreational, educational, and service-learning opportunities that foster Jewish identity and community.
Organize and supervise off-site events, including recreational outings and volunteer projects
Build relationships with students and young adults through consistent outreach and individual engagement.
Encourage participation among students and young adults who are not yet actively involved in Temple Israel programming.

TI Teens Engagement

Supervise the Madrichim (Teen Teaching Assistant) Program in collaboration with the Director of Youth Education and Programming.
Mentor Madrichim through leadership development, training, and ongoing check-ins.
Support and advise youth leadership committees and teen planning teams.
Assist teens in developing leadership skills through meaningful responsibilities within the congregation.
Coordinate local programming and collaborate with regional BBYO and USY leadership.
Chaperone and attend selected regional conventions, Shabbatons, and youth events.
Help recruit and retain participants in regional youth programming.

Junior Congregation

Plan and lead weekly Shabbat morning Junior Congregation including a Torah study.
Encourage student participation in prayer leadership and synagogue life.
Plan and facilitate engaging social, educational, and Shabbat-themed activities throughout the morning.
Prayer leadership experience or willingness to learn is preferred.

Community Outreach & Special Projects

Assist with High Holiday programming and other congregational celebrations.
Support communications and promotion of youth programming through social media, email, and other outreach.
Participate in staff meetings, planning sessions, and other initiatives that strengthen youth engagement.
Organize and create weekly religious school/youth programming newsletter

Schedule

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with required on-site hours during the academic year, including:

Sundays: 9:00 AM–11:30 AM, plus Youth Group programming as scheduled
Mondays: 3:00–5:45 PM
Thursdays: 2:00–5:45 PM
Saturdays: 9:45 AM–12:30 PM (preferred)
High Holiday programming, including services and youth/family programs
Evening and weekend programs and events based on the programmatic calendar, including occasional off-site trips
Additional hours will be scheduled in coordination with the Director of Youth Education and Programming to fulfill the 40-hour weekly schedule.
The schedule may vary throughout the year based on the Religious School, Youth Group, holiday, and programmatic calendars.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of two years of experience working with children and/or teens in Jewish education, camps, youth groups, or similar settings.
Passion for engaging youth and fostering meaningful Jewish experiences.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management abilities.
Ability to independently plan and execute programs from conception through evaluation.
Collaborative team player who works effectively with clergy, educators, parents, volunteers, and lay leaders.
Experience mentoring teen leaders is preferred.
Familiarity with USY, NFTY, BBYO, Jewish camps, or other Jewish youth organizations is a plus.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, social media platforms, and database/CRM systems.