Director of Jewish Life at American Youth Camping

About AYC American Youth Camping is a new network of five independent overnight camps in New York and Maine: Camp Echo, Camp Lokanda, Camp Wekeela, Camp North Star, and Indian Acres/Forest Acres. Our campers and staff include Jewish and non-Jewish young people and a large international staff. We build joyful camp communities where Jewish young people grow proud of who they are, and where friends of every background come to know, understand, and care about the Jewish people. The Role AYC is hiring its first Director of Jewish Life to shape Jewish life across the network. This is a builder role with two purposes: For Jewish campers and staff: deepen Jewish identity, pride, and connection to the Jewish people and to Israel. For non-Jewish campers and staff: create positive, personal associations with Jewish people and Jewish life. Thousands of young people, many from places with few Jews, spend a summer living alongside Jewish friends at our camps. That is a powerful antidote to the widespread, low-level antisemitism young people encounter today, and we intend to use it well. Our camps differ widely, from nearly all-Jewish to roughly half Jewish. You will learn each one first, then build an approach that adds to its traditions rather than replacing them. Jewish life at AYC should feel like part of camp's joy, not an add-on. On Israel: we affirm Israel's right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people. Our Israel education is about connection to people and place. We do not take positions on any Israeli government or its policies. The Fit You are passionate, innovative, courageous, and love camp. You are committed to positive excellence and growth in the field of youth (Jewish and non-Jewish) development and leadership outcomes. You are equally at home working at a strategic and tactical level, in the boardroom, and on the campsite. Responsibilities Assess and plan: in year one, get to know each camp, produce a camp-by-camp assessment, and recommend a multi-year Jewish life plan. Design programming: build a flexible framework of Jewish values, Shabbat, and Israel programming each camp can adapt, and pilot signature network programs. Train staff: create orientation and in-season training that equips all staff, especially non-Jewish and international counselors, to understand and take part in Jewish life with confidence. Advise camp leadership: serve as a trusted advisor to directors and their seasonal Jewish life staff, including on Shabbat and kashrut standards tailored to the specific camp. Represent AYC: be AYC's Jewish voice in the field; build partnerships with Jewish education organizations, thought leaders, and artists; support fundraising and grant efforts. Manage and measure: manage the Jewish programming budget with the CEO, and use camper and staff surveys and field benchmarks to track impact. Year-One Success An initial camp-by-camp assessment and strong relationships with every director by spring 2027. A staff training curriculum, including content for non-Jewish and international staff, ready for summer 2027. Design a three-year roadmap for the organization’s Jewish programming. At least one signature network program piloted, with baseline survey data for future comparison. Qualifications Required 5+ years in experiential or informal Jewish education, with significant overnight camp or comparable immersive experience. A track record of designing programs and training staff, ideally across multiple sites. Deep Jewish knowledge and the ability to make it accessible and engaging for people of every background, Jewish or not. Credibility across the full range of Jewish practice; leads through partnership rather than authority. Charismatic communicator: strong writer and public speaker, equally at home with strategy and with a cabin of ten-year-olds. Able to travel extensively in summer and periodically year-round. Preferred An advanced degree, such as rabbinic ordination or a master's in Jewish education, Jewish studies, education, or Jewish nonprofit leadership. Thought leadership through teaching, writing, or speaking. Experience in Israel education and in countering antisemitism with young people. Hebrew language skills.