Director of Congregational Education

Are you looking for a mission-driven non-profit where your skills can help people in need around the world? At the Jewish United Fund (JUF), we take pride in our mission and in having a work culture that fosters a sense of belonging and feels rewarding, supportive, and inclusive. We have a hybrid schedule and offer generous benefits including a 401(k) match, 22 days of paid time off, 11 sick days, and up to 21 paid holidays. The salary range for this role is $90,000-$100,000.

What you will be responsible for:

In this role, you will work with congregations and other youth professionals to elevate the Jewish experience and foster an inclusive community where every young person feels supported and inspired. Through listening to constituents and colleagues, you will foster relationships between JUF and congregational staff and help congregations better understand how to work with and access JUF programs, and increase JUF’s understanding of congregation challenges, capacity and priorities. You’ll work with professionals across the supplemental education and family engagement sectors to maximize learning and engagement opportunities through convening, training and development, coaching, and networking.

What you will be doing:

• Support congregational and youth education through listening and coaching, and providing networking, and professional development opportunities.


• Work with the Community Outreach & Engagement and Planning & Allocations departments to coordinate grant processes, ensuring grant opportunities are responsive to what congregations surfaced in annual conversations.


• Engage synagogue staff to process what they learned in professional development, think through grant implementation, and navigate challenges as they arise.


• Participate in key stakeholder meetings, including ChARJE, JEA, and the Chicago Board of Rabbis to stay connected to community needs and represent JUF’s investment in this space.


• Serve as Donor Officer for congregations, ensuring they know who to call and that JUF outreach is coordinated across departments.


• Develop large-scale, topical, and high-quality seminars/gathering in coordination with funders and other organizations.


• Work with JUF’s Evaluation and Quality Improvement team and various stakeholders to co-create a shared outcomes framework.


• Produce an annual report reflecting grants distributed, number of synagogues reached by program type, number of professionals benefiting from JUF investment, qualitative highlights, and year-over-year trends.


• Partner with other leaders in our Community Outreach and Engagement department to support the growth of Jewish educational programs for teens.


• Manage staff leading Hebrew in the Public-School and adult education efforts.


• Support JUF Campaign and mandatory campaign-related activities on an ongoing basis.

What you need to succeed:

• Significant and relevant experience in Jewish communal service, including in positions of leadership


• 5+ years’ experience leading a Jewish education program


• 5+ years’ experience as a teacher


• MA or higher in Jewish education or relevant field


• Passion for excellent educational experiences for young people


• The boldness of an innovator and the heart of an educator


• Track record of innovative thinking, visionary leadership, and change management in Jewish education


• Background in working with and serving a diverse array of educators, learners, and stakeholders from across a community


• Strong ability to convene and facilitate conversations


• Warmth, with a kind sensibility, integrity, and a sense of humor


• Record of working as a self-starter


• Strong organizational and planning skills

*If you're excited about this role and have significant relevant experience that doesn’t completely align with these qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

What you’ll love about us:

At JUF, you can be part of one of the largest non-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois. We provide food, refuge, healthcare, education, emergency assistance, and essential services to 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews around the world. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with base contribution and match, additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave, and much more.

Our Schedule:

We have a hybrid work policy to allow staff the flexibility to work from home / remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Tuesdays-Thursdays, the standard work location is 30 South Wells Street in Chicago, and staff are expected to work in person. We have a 36.5 hour work week, not a 40 hour work week. Our work hours are 8:30am-5pm Monday-Thursday and 8:30am-4pm Friday with a daily 1 hour lunch break.