Job Description
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
SAJ-Judaism that Stands for all has a synagogue-school program called Makom, which in modern Hebrew means “place” and with spiritual connotations of a holy dwelling place.
Our main weekly program is on Shabbat / SATURDAY 10:00AM -12:00PM AT 15 W 86TH STREET IN NEW YORK NY
For the sake of _pikuach nefesh/_saving lives, all applicants for the Saturday positions for the 5782/2021-2022 school year must be fully COVID vaccinated by the start of the school year, and willing to work in person.
ABOUT THE AVAILABLE POSITIONS:
I. CLASSROOM TEACHER: current openings are for 3RD-4TH GRADE (COMBINED); OR 5TH GRADE; OR 6TH GRADE, OR any grade K-7 to keep on our sub list.
II. MUSIC/JEWISH PRAYER TEACHER
III. TEEN (TEACHING) ASSISTANT COORDINATOR
To apply for any of these positions please email Debra Fricano (she/they), Director of Education and Family Engagement at Debra@saj.nyc with your resume, a statement of interest. At some point in the interview process we will ask for two employment references.
I. CLASSROOM TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Teach a 90 minute values-based lesson about Judaism and Jewish peoplehood to a small class of children who are often excited to be there.
- Directly supervise/mentor your classroom Teen teaching Assistants who offer classroom relational, administrative, and creative support.
- Be a supportive informally engaging presence at the weekly ~30 minute tefilah/ prayer and/or shira/music programs.
- Modify curricular resources provided by the Education Director.
- Be supported by weekly one on one check ins, and seasonal self-reflections, with the Education Director.
- Attend Teacher Orientations, and zoom based Tuesday evening whole team professional development sessions (for additional compensation).
CANDIDATES FOR THE CLASSROOM TEACHER POSITION SHOULD BE
- Experienced in working with children joyfully, patiently, and with curiosity about their interests and experiences.
- Teachers with any range of experience; more experienced teachers can have more compensation and autonomy in writing lesson plans that meet our learning goals, and newer teachers will be supported with pre-written content.
- Experienced in, or curious about, “Reconstructionist” approach to Jewish tradition.
- Located in NYC and able to arrive by ~9:45am (light breakfast will be provided).
- SAJ does not discriminate in terms of gender identity, sexual orientation, racial background, family structure, economic access, learning diversity. We welcome educators who reflect the diversity of our community!
SALARY RANGE FOR THE CLASSROOM TEACHER
$60-$80 per hour based on previous experience, formal training, and number of years working at SAJ. Two hours a week (10:00am-12:00pm). Salary includes preparation.
There will be 25 weeks of class in the school year.
Additional stipend of around $300 for attending monthly professional development sessions, on Tuesday evenings over Zoom (or watching the recording, or completing the equivalency).
There are also additional opportunities for work at whole community programs.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE MUSIC/JEWISH PRAYER TEACHER
- Design and lead a ~30 minute educational and musical tefillah/prayer service for 5th-7th graders to start off each school day. Empower students to understand both keva/structure and _kavannah/intention _of prayer with Reconstructionist aligned content.
- Design and lead two ~30 minute Jewish Music classes, for 1st-2nd grade, and 3rd-4th grade. Canon of musical content will be suggested by Education Director and Cantor of SAJ. We love introducing and celebrating up-and-coming Jewish musicians!
- All services and music classes are supported by the teachers and the Teen teaching Assistants of those grades!
- Participate in regular brief weekly one on one check ins, and seasonal formal self-evaluations, with the Education Director.
- Attend relevant and approved professional development opportunities with additional compensation.
- SAJ does not discriminate against gender identity, sexual orientation, racial backgrounds, family structures, economic access, and learning diversity, and we welcome applicants who represent the diversity of our community!
CANDIDATES FOR THE MUSIC/JEWISH PRAYER POSITION SHOULD BE
- Skilled in singing and playing a musical instrument that accompanies communal prayer.
- Knowledgeable in a variety of song-leading tools to engage students at age-appropriate levels.
- Knowledgeable in a diverse repertoire of traditional and modern Jewish songs.
- Comfortable with (or willing to learn) Reconstructionist liturgical Hebrew, theology, and philosophy, including adapting prayers for gender inclusivity, God non-anthropomorphizing, the psychology of spirituality, etc.
- Religiously comfortable with using a microphone on Shabbat.
- Physically comfortable with sometimes sitting in small chairs or on the floor with children.
- Located in NYC and able to arrive by 9:45am.
SALARY FOR THE MUSIC/JEWISH PRAYER POSITION $60-$100 PER HOUR BASED ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AND FORMAL TRAINING. Salary includes both preparation and being present for 2 hours each week. Additional stipend for attending relevant and approved professional development programs.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE TEEN ASSISTANT COORDINATOR
- Manage the “Teen Assistant” (Madrichim program) before and during (9:30am-12:00pm) our Saturday morning school.
- Support Teen Assistant Professional Development sessions (Monthly Tuesday Evenings 6:00-8:00pm,likely on Zoom).
- Additional preparation for Saturday during the week (hours flexible).
CANDIDATES FOR TEEN ASSISTANT COORDINATOR POSITION SHOULD BE
- Respectful towards and appreciative of Teenagers (8th-12th grade).
- Customer service relationality, initiative, team-player, adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Warm and professional written and verbal communication that connects with both teens and grown-ups.
- Comfortable with sending emails, text messages, and possibly using Zoom, in general, and on Shabbat.
- Particularly interested in or passion for community organizing, social justice, anti-racism and LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
SALARY OFFER
- $6,000 FOR THE YEAR, based on 2.5 hours of supervision a week for between 25-30 weeks, 9 sessions of 2 hour professional development, and; 2-3 hours of work a week with emails, meetings, individual check ins.
Additional opportunity for additional pay HIGH HOLIDAY CO-LEADER FOR TEEN SERVICES.
Participate in designing and leading high holiday services for teens, Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre Evening;
- $200 EACH HOLIDAY for helping to plan and lead two (one hour) evening services ($400 for both Rosh Hashanah Evening, and Kol Nidre evening).
Additional opportunity for additional pay HIGH HOLIDAY ONLINE COORDINATOR
Supervise Teen Assistants who will support the Zoom technology for online educational programs on Rosh Hashanah Morning and Yom Kippur Morning. Salary TBD.
HOW TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE POSITIONS
Email Debra Fricano (she/they), Director of Education and Family Engagement at Debra@saj.nyc with your resume, a statement of interest. At some point in the interview process we will ask for two employment references.
Company Description
SAJ (formerly known as Society for the Advancement of Judaism, now SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All), is the home of Reconstructionist Judaism – site of the first ever Bat Mitzvah in North America, of the daughter of founder Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan. This year 5782/2021-2022 we are celebrating our Centennial!
SAJ’s commitment to Reconstructionist Judaism involves innovative Jewish ritual and approaches to God, Torah, and peoplehood, empowering teachers to teach creatively, and encouraging students of all ages to ask authentic questions. Our community is values-based, both in curriculum and in administration. Learn more about SAJ on our website https://saj.nyc/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SAJNYC/ Learn more about Reconstructionist Judaism in general: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/who-reconstructionist-jew