AJC EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Director of Hillel & Next Generation Engagement

Role Overview

The Director of Hillel & Next Generation Engagement is a creative, engaging, and enthusiastic individual with a strong background in Jewish and Israel education, capable of working both independently and as part of a team. As the successful candidate, you’ll be a self-starter and capable multi-tasker who will drive engagement of students, families with young children, teens, and young adults in the Atlantic Jewish Council’s mission, values, and goals.

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and working with the Jewish communities of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador, you’ll report to the Atlantic Jewish Council’s Executive Director. You’ll maintain strong relationships with the Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs (CIJA), Canada Israel Experience (CIE), Hillel International, PJ Library, Canadian Young Judaea, Moishe House, and other local, national, and international organizations.

What You’ll Do

As the Director of Hillel & Next Generation Engagement, you will be responsible for all programming and support in the following areas: Hillel (Campus), PJ Library/PJ Our Way (families with children ages 6 months to 12 years), JOLT (teens), and young adults. 

Hillel (Campus)

• Work with student leadership to plan, implement, and shop for ongoing programming (including monthly Shabbat dinners, holiday programming, and social programming)
• Work with and support program implementers in communities outside of Halifax
• Observe, monitor, and report Antisemitic and anti-Israel activities on campuses across Atlantic Canada  
• Provide immediate on-site assistance in managing Israel advocacy crises
• Develop proactive Israel advocacy strategies specific to Halifax and Atlantic Canada, maximising the full array of national and local advocacy services
• Manage the Hillel Facebook page and Instagram account, and develop the monthly newsletter 
• Maintain relationships with university administrators across Atlantic Canada
• Report engagement information using HEART (Hillel’s data tracking system)
• Act as the on-the-ground partner for CIE in recruiting and preparing participants for Birthright Israel
• Act as a liaison between the Jewish student population and the Jewish community of Atlantic Canada

PJ Library/PJ Our Way (families with children ages 6 months to 12 years)

• Plan and implement large-scale programs for young families (including all grocery/supply shopping and on-site set-up/clean-up)
• Contact community organizations for partnership opportunities
• Manage the AJC’s PJ Library database including subscriptions, renewals, and enrollments
• Manage PJ Library’s facebook presence on the AJC’s facebook page 
• Complete all grant reporting requirements (twice per year)
• Supervise and support the AJC’s PJ Library Russian-Speaking program coordinator(s) (note: Russian language proficiency is not required)
• Participate in all PJ Library video calls
• Ensure families’ contact information is added to the Atlantic Jewish Council’s database

JOLT (Teens)

• Support JOLT facilitators on the ground in Halifax (running occasional errands, being a sounding board, and supervising their use of the AJC’s programming space)
• Liaise with CYJ about JOLT programing
• Plan and implement special teen programs

Young Adults

• Identify young adults in the Atlantic Jewish community
• Promote Birthright Israel, AJC programming, and relevant Moishe House programming (retreats, MHWOW programs, etc)
• Assist and support young adults in developing their own programming
• Ensure young adults’ contact information is added to the Atlantic Jewish Council’s database

For All Programmatic Areas

• Attend all programs (including evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays)
• Manage the AJC’s programming space as necessary, ensuring that program participants’ behaviour is in accordance with any lease/rental agreements, maintaining cleanliness, and closing down/locking up when not in use
• Identify and engage unaffiliated Jews by developing innovative and creative strategies for contacting and serving them
• Support any and all volunteer-initiated programs
• Be an experiential Jewish educator who nurtures meaningful Jewish growth of others through conversations and actions
• Add accessible Jewish content and depth to programs
• Model positive leadership, including having a strong visible presence at Jewish communal events whether or not they fall under the purview of this position
• Develop one-on-one relationships, identify potential leaders, and integrate them into existing or new volunteer leadership structures within the Atlantic Canadian Jewish community
• Execute any other duties as they arise or are assigned by the Atlantic Jewish Council’s Executive Director

A note about hours of work:

The hours of this position are inherently irregular and may include certain times during evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays. You are expected to demonstrate flexibility and work around community members’ schedules to devote your time at work to the responsibilities of your position.

What You’ve Accomplished

Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree is a plus. 1+ years’ experience in Jewish education, Israeli education, experiential education, business administration or non-profit administration. Proven success developing, implementing and evaluating events/programs. Building pluralistic Jewish communities and creating a welcoming, vibrant, and deeply enriching Jewish environment. Strategically networking and building partnerships across the Jewish and general community. Managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality across all areas. Working both independently and as part of a team.

What You’ll Bring to the Job

A deep commitment to Judaism and Israel, and a nuanced understanding of effective engagement, education, and advocacy strategies. An entrepreneurial spirit – things may not always go according to plan, but you understand that ambiguity is part of developing great new opportunities. Strong written and verbal skills, effectiveness at communicating with a variety of stakeholders including teens, students, parents, administration, young adults, and families with young children. A knowledge and passion for building Jewish community. Energy, a sense of humour, flexibility, and maturity. Willingness to travel for work as needed. A valid driver’s license and access to a car is preferred.

What You’ll Receive

• Competitive salary in the non-profit marketplace commensurate with relevant experience. The salary range for this role is $40,000-$50,000 CAD
• A comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and generous vacation/sick time above and beyond all Jewish and legal statutory holidays
• Great professional development, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities
• Travel regionally and abroad
• Unlimited paid coffee dates
• Flexible work hours

About The Atlantic Jewish Council

The Atlantic Jewish Council (AJC) has been the cornerstone of Jewish life in the Atlantic Canadian provinces since 1975, acting as the organized Jewish community’s representative and program/service provider for non-religious matters. With only a small staff complement and a modest budget, the AJC relies on the support of over 100 volunteers across Atlantic Canada to move the needle on our eight strategic priorities:

• Building a sense of Jewish community across Atlantic Canada;
• Strengthening Jewish identity amongst the Jews of Atlantic Canada, especially our youth;
• Reinforcing the regional identity of the Atlantic Canadian Jewish community;
• Supporting and connecting Atlantic Canadians to Israel;
• Educating about the Holocaust and human rights;
• Helping those in need in our community;
• Fostering relationships with and representing the Atlantic Jewish population to all levels of government, academic institutions, and Jewish and general organizations at both the national and local level; and
• Educating the community of Atlantic Canada-at-large about Judaism.

The university student services we provide at the Atlantic Jewish Council are under the designation of Hillel Atlantic Canada. As the centre for Jewish campus life in Halifax and Atlantic Canada, Hillel Atlantic Canada provides meaningful opportunities and experiences in a pluralistic environment that enhances students’ lives through education, culture, and spiritual growth. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Hillel Atlantic Canada serves twelve accredited universities and colleges, primarily focusing on the Jewish populations in Halifax by offering Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, Israel-related events, Holocaust remembrance, community service opportunities, social events, Jewish learning, and much more. On the campuses with fewer Jewish students, Hillel strives to create Jewish and Israel awareness through grassroots and educational activities and fostering student leadership development.

About Hillel International

In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at more than 550 colleges and universities across North America and around the world. As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.

Hillel Atlantic Canada is affiliated with Hillel International. Hillel International enriches the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world, and envisions a world where every student is inspired to make an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning and Israel.