Jewish Chaplain

Posting Number: 20260379S | Part-time (20 hours/week), 12-month position

About the role

Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities.

The Jewish Chaplain is a member of the University Ministry team within the Office for Mission and Ministry (OMM). This part-time staff position responds to the need for ongoing Jewish advisory leadership for the support and development of Jewish Life at Villanova. The Jewish Chaplain helps to foster Jewish life and community among students, faculty, and staff through supporting Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, Jewish learning, and other programming and support. The Jewish Chaplain serves as part of the Multifaith Ministry team and assists OMM in navigating Villanova’s multifaith environment, particularly around issues impacting Jewish life.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The Office for Mission and Ministry promotes and supports the Augustinian Catholic mission of the University with particular attention to the Augustinian charism and spirituality. A concern for building community and fostering an atmosphere that demonstrates care for our common home are core values integral to OMM’s stewardship of the University’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Jewish Life (55%)
  • Foster Jewish learning, community building, and leadership development for Jewish students at Villanova.
  • Collaborate with staff of the Greater Philly Hillel Network and specifically with the Hillel Springboard Fellow in planning programming and supporting Hillel members and Executive Board.
  • Develop one-on-one relationships with students and support them in their Jewish identity and practice.
  • Support ritual and religious programming for regular Shabbat gatherings and holiday observances.
  • Initiate and support community-building opportunities for Jewish faculty and staff.
  • Foster community among all Jewish members of the Villanova community through periodic events bringing together students, faculty, and staff.
  • Develop and offer programming specific to Jewish learning for undergraduate and graduate students, including exploring outreach to Law School students.
  • Provide Jewish staff presence and collaboration in campus-wide community events (vigils, community conversations, etc.).
• Multifaith Advising and Engagement (25%)
  • Assist the Office for Mission and Ministry in helping to address campus culture (through policies, education, advocacy) related to issues of antisemitism and other forms of religious bias.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Multifaith Ministry in guiding and supporting the work of the Interfaith Advisory Council.
  • Coordinate with other campus departments for division-wide and campus-wide initiatives as determined by the Director.
  • Develop and lead, with partners, programming for the student Interfaith Justice Cohort and other interfaith programming as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with OMM staff and campus partners (TRS, UNITAS, etc.) in the development of new interfaith learning, prayer/worship, and community-building events.
• University Ministry Collaboration (15%)
  • Maintain a ministry of presence at university events and work to establish university relationships as a representative of University Ministry.
  • Attend and participate in key University Ministry and Office for Mission and Ministry events.
  • Regularly evaluate the various offerings with input from supervisor, University Ministry team, and students.
  • Attend and actively participate in University Ministry team meetings, and Mission and Ministry staff meetings.
  • Meet regularly with the Director of Multifaith Ministry.
  • Participate as appropriate in University Ministry committees and/or University committees.
  • Be available for pastoral care.
  • Maintain regular office hours.
  • Manage budgets for programs.
• Other Duties (5%)
  • Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Formal Education: Bachelor’s degree.
• Training: Training in pastoral care and/or spiritual support.
• Work Experience: 1-2 years of experience in supporting Jewish young adults in a university or other relevant context.
• Skills:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent relational skills.
  • Capacity to communicate/teach Jewish texts, values, and traditions in a variety of formal and informal settings.
  • Capacity to navigate Jewish pluralism and engage relationally across the spectrum of Jewish identity and expression.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal Education:
  • Rabbinic or Cantorial ordination (or in late stages of preparation for ordination).
  • Graduate degree with emphasis in Jewish studies.
• Work Experience: 2+ years supporting Jewish life/community in an academic context.

Pay

This position falls within hourly grade 14 and the range is $28.05–$37.85/hour. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.