Director of Jewish Life & Community Engagement

About the role

JCC Harlem, an initiative of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan in collaboration with UJA‑Federation of NY, operates a 6,000‑square‑foot community center with adjacent outdoor space on West 118th Street. The center serves as a home base for Harlem’s richly diverse neighborhood, fostering connection across Jewish and non‑Jewish identities. This position splits time evenly: 50% leading the Jewish Life program area and 50% directing Community Outreach, Social Responsibility, and Intergroup Relations. The ideal candidate is a creative programmer and community builder who designs welcoming, inclusive experiences, cultivates participant leadership, and builds strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

Jewish Life

• Plan and execute a robust Jewish Life platform, including Shabbat gatherings; Jewish holiday festivals and neighborhood‑based celebrations; participatory arts, culture, and ritual experiences; and experiential Jewish learning for children and families.
• Design welcoming, accessible experiences that center joy, belonging, and authentic community voice.
• Build meaningful relationships with community members, accompanying them on personalized pathways into Jewish life, learning, and deeper engagement.
• Ensure all programming reflects and honors the racial, cultural, and spiritual diversity of Harlem’s Jewish community.
• Develop and steward strategic partnerships that strengthen and expand the Jewish Life platform.
• Partner with the Children’s Enrichment team to align Jewish Life programming with JCC Harlem’s institution‑wide children’s enrichment philosophy and weave Jewish content into children’s and family offerings across the organization.
• Cultivate leadership pipelines that empower participants to serve as creators, hosts, educators, and community leaders.
• Create Jewish learning and engagement curricula and program frameworks.
• Teach select Jewish children’s experiential education offerings.
• Oversee program operations for this area, including logistics, run‑of‑show planning, vendor coordination, staffing, and budget management.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to meet participation and growth goals.
• Set annual and seasonal program area calendars, participation targets, and registration benchmarks.
• Manage the program area budget; track expenses and income to meet benchmarks.
• Supervise Jewish Life staff and leaders, including the Rabbi‑in‑Residence and Junior Shaliach.

Community Outreach, Social Responsibility, and Intergroup Relations

• Identify and deepen strategic relationships within Harlem, including religious institutions and leaders, community‑based organizations, businesses, and others.
• Plan and manage community service programs in partnership with Harlem‑based CBOs and Repair the World, including the MLK community‑wide weekend of service and regularly occurring volunteer programming.
• Plan and manage neighborhood‑wide community events and pop‑ups, including The Longest Table and regularly occurring cross‑cultural pop‑ups in partnership with diverse community partners.
• Plan and manage a growing platform of intergroup relationship‑building and dialogue efforts.
• Oversee program operations for this area, including logistics, run‑of‑show planning, vendor coordination, staffing, and budget management.
• Develop and implement recruitment strategies to meet participation and growth goals.
• Set annual and seasonal program area calendars, participation targets, and registration benchmarks.
• Manage the budget for this area.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of experience in community programming, Jewish communal work, Jewish children’s enrichment, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience designing, producing, and leading participatory programs.
• Strong community‑building orientation with a relational leadership style.
• Knowledge of Jewish traditions, culture, and communal life.
• Jewish summer camp and/or experiential children’s Jewish learning background a plus.
• Experience engaging diverse, multiracial, and interfaith communities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Experience with Daxko, Salesforce, or other CRM systems is desirable.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as program needs require.

Benefits

• Supportive, mission‑driven work environment
• Health benefits including Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid vacation time plus a generous offering of federal and Jewish/secular holidays
• 403(b) retirement savings account
• Opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and leadership investment
• Access to all JCC cultural, learning, arts, and film programs
• Free fitness membership for the pool and health club
• Discounts on other JCC programs

Pay

Annual salary range: $75,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience.