Kol Ami Looking for Director of Family Learning and Engagement at Vaughan, ON Full Time

Director of Education Kol Ami – Thornhill, Ontario

Who are we?

Kol Ami is a Reform Jewish community in Vaughan with a dynamic approach to Judaism, blending the traditional and the modern. We are a warm, intimate and inclusive congregation that values life-long learning, spirited and musical prayer, Tikkun Olam, love of Israel and strong community. We are a smaller but vibrant congregation with an active and engaged lay leadership that works closely with our professionals.

Kol Ami is searching for an enthusiastic part time Director of Education. This is an exciting time for our community, as we have just moved into the Kimel Building in the
Schwartz/Reisman Centre. Our program is unique as it runs a Shabbat morning program in- person and a virtual class on Wednesdays.

About Our Program

Kol Ami is a Shabbat-centred congregation, built around the idea that Shabbat morning is
Jewish time for all generations: while kids are in class, parents may (or may not) attend Torah
Study, other classes and Shabbat services. We traditionally have a high level of parent involvement, in addition to occasional family programs, parents are asked to attend a weekly
“Shabbat Family T’fillah” with their children.

Responsibilities

Our Director of Education will create an engaging and nurturing environment for kids and their families to learn, connect, and build relationships with one another and with Judaism.
Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing youth and family learning within the congregation, including our unique

Shabbat morning program, our Hebrew program (currently Wednesday afternoons), post-B’nai Mitzvah program, and Madrichim.

• Developing and evaluating curriculum, helping us re-envision our Hebrew education, to maintain or grow current levels of proficiency while offering flexibility. o Overseeing school operations, including the preparation of the school calendar and budget (with support). o Hiring, training and supervising school teaching staff, and implementing staff development. o Meeting with parents and students as needed to resolve conflicts, assess special- need situations and provide learning accommodations as appropriate.
• Overseeing B’nai Mitzvah tutors.
• Overseeing informal educational offerings, including youth groups, monthly Friday night “Rock Shabbat” programming (in consultation with Rabbi and Cantorial Soloist).
• Working with families to provide opportunities for engagement throughout the year, as well as implementing family holiday observances (i.e. during High Holy Days, Erev

Simchat Torah, Erev Purim) in collaboration with clergy.

• Working collaboratively with professional and lay leaders within the congregation, including staff (Rabbi, Cantorial Soloist, and Office Manager), the Religious School

Committee, and the Board of Directors.

• Representing the congregation in the community, including at meetings of the Reform

Educators’ Council.

The successful candidate will: o Be a creative thinker. o Be knowledgeable and passionate about Judaism, and familiar with Reform

Judaism. o Be personable; relate well to kids and adults. o Be current with educational best practices in general, and advances in Jewish formal and informal education in particular. o Have previous Jewish education and programming experience. o Have excellent organizational and communication skills. o Be computer literate (including some Social Media). o Have the ability to supervise and mentor other educational professionals, and to collaborate effectively with clergy and senior leadership. o Have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Judaic Studies or related field.

This is a part time position beginning July 1, 2022.
Salary is commensurate with experience, $30,000 – $35,000 per year.
Average 15 hr/week (approx. 10hrs/week in summer months, 20 hrs/week school start-up).
Must be available to work in-person on Shabbat and Holy Days. Flexible remote work hours other days.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 15 per week

Salary: $30,000.00-$35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Application deadline: 2022-04-13
Expected start date: 2022-07-01