Director of Jewish Life

About the role

The Director of Jewish Life oversees all aspects of Jewish life on campus and serves as a part of a multi-faith chaplaincy team. The Office of the Chaplains is coordinated by the Dean for Memorial Chapel with oversight from the Office of the President and the Dean of the College Division. The Office fosters inter-religious understanding and goodwill.

Responsibilities

• Provide collaborative leadership for services and other religious observances during the academic year.
• Recruit, encourage, and mentor student leadership in these services.
• Provide oversight for the M. Saperstein Jewish Center, the meeting place for Jewish life on campus, including two kosher kitchens.
• Provide comprehensive advising for the Colgate Jewish Union Board, facilitating and supporting all aspects of student leadership in religious, social, and cultural matters.
• Serve as a liaison between students and offerings from Hillel and other providers of programming for Jewish students, including the Program in Jewish Studies.
• Maintain an affiliation with Hillel.
• Facilitate the planning and implementation of a comprehensive program of Jewish religious life involving students, faculty, administrators, and other persons within the University and the broader Hamilton community.
• Work collaboratively with University constituents, including faculty from the Program in Jewish Studies and other academic departments and programs, Alumni Relations, and Admission.
• Ensure that students have access to opportunities for student group membership and leadership, and that they receive value and personal growth enrichment as a result of their participation in the community.
• Design and implement student leadership opportunities for student leaders.
• Design, implement, and assess programs consistent with broader organizational guidelines and within Colgate’s context.
• Connect intended program priorities, outcomes, and goals to divisional and institutional priorities, outcomes, and goals.
• Use expertise with data and systems to identify key data tracking needs, trends, and develop data-driven solutions.
• Effectively and consistently apply time management, problem-solving, and planning skills in the implementation of processes or programs.
• Assure that Jewish community needs are met while staying within budget constraints.
• Use knowledge of a wide range of faith traditions to effectively serve as a chaplain for students and provide high-quality instruction and engagement focused on reconciling beliefs with academic learning.
• Provide pastoral care and counseling for members of the university community and maintain confidentiality.
• Afford students the opportunity to make the connection between their faith, their commitment to justice, and their service to the broader community and world.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in Jewish traditions. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team. Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in an interfaith environment. Demonstrated effective organizational and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work collegially with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and community members. Flexibility and willingness to perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college or university setting with a primary student audience is preferred.
• Post-graduate work in Jewish Studies, and/or professional experience working with Jewish college students in a multi-faith environment, preferred.
• Rabbinical background is a strong plus.

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• A Master’s or Doctorate is preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of a wide range of faith traditions.
• Effective organizational and communication skills.
• Collaborative and flexible approach.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Expertise in student affairs and the ability to influence students in making good decisions and working with groups and individuals.
• Technical solutions to assist in the collection/maintenance of key data and records.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

$80,000 - $85,000

Schedule

Full Time