Jewish Life and Learning Specialist

Now hiring! Under the direction of the Senior Director of Early Learning Centers, the Jewish Life & Learning Specialist is responsible for cultivating meaningful, developmentally appropriate Jewish learning experiences across the JCC Greater Boston Early Learning Centers. 

This role serves as a pedagogical leader and partner to educators, supporting the integration of Jewish values and traditions into daily classroom experiences. Grounded in the Sheva framework and aligned with each center’s emergent, inquiry-based approach, the Specialist works collaboratively with site leadership and teaching teams to ensure a cohesive and high-quality vision of Jewish life and learning across all locations while honoring the unique culture of each school. 

The Jewish Life & Learning Specialist is a visible and relationship-driven presence across sites, strengthening Jewish identity for children and families while coaching educators to embed Jewish learning authentically and meaningfully into their practice.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:  

1. Jewish Learning & Curriculum Integration 

• Design and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate Jewish learning experiences aligned with the Sheva framework  

• Partner with Child Development Specialist, Curriculum Coordinator and educators to integrate Jewish values, traditions, and holidays into classroom learning in authentic and meaningful ways  

• Develop materials, resources, and provocations that reflect Jewish life and support inquiry-based learning  

• Support classrooms in embedding Jewish learning into emergent curriculum and daily routines  

• Build strong, trusting relationships with educators to support reflective practice and continuous growth  

2. Hebrew Language & Israel Engagement 

• Introduce and support the use of Hebrew language through music, movement, routines, and daily interactions  

• Integrate Israeli culture, traditions, and contemporary life into classroom experiences  

• Support educators in building confidence and consistency in incorporating Hebrew language naturally throughout the day  

3. Educator Coaching & Professional Learning 

• Provide ongoing coaching, guidance, and support to educators in Jewish learning and cultural integration  

• Lead professional development opportunities connected to Jewish identity, Israel, and the Sheva framework  

• Serve as a pedagogical resource to educators, fostering curiosity, confidence, and skill-building  

• Partner with site leadership to ensure consistency, alignment, and high-quality practice across centers  

4. Family & Community Engagement 

• Partner with site leadership to design and enhance Jewish holiday celebrations and community events  

• Create meaningful opportunities for families to connect to Jewish life within and beyond the classroom  

• Serve as a resource for families around Jewish traditions, culture, and practices  

• Support family engagement as a gateway to deeper connection with Jewish community and identity  

5. Cross-Site Coordination & Program Consistency 

• Ensure continuity and coherence of Jewish life and learning across Godine, Gilson, and Hingham Early Learning Centers  

• Collaborate with each site’s leadership team to adapt programming to reflect each community while maintaining a shared vision  

• Contribute to the ongoing development and evolution of Jewish life and learning across the Early Learning Centers  

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:  

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued, seen, and respected  

• Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values including through active role modeling  

• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned, and actively participate in and support the goals and initiatives of JCCGB and the department   

• Lead with integrity, positivity, and accountability, building trust and modeling the behaviors that strengthen organizational culture. 

• Maintain a safety-first, solution-oriented mindset that prioritizes inclusion, risk awareness, and high standards of service and accountability. 

• Set and communicate a clear vision aligned with organizational priorities and lead change with clarity, empathy, and resilience. 

• Build collaborative partnerships across teams, volunteers, vendors, and community stakeholders while representing the organization with professionalism. 

• Drive operational excellence through sound judgment, data-informed decision-making, and responsible financial stewardship. 

• Provide calm, decisive leadership in complex or high-pressure situations while promoting continuous improvement and professional growth. 

• Perform other duties as required to support departmental and organizational success.  

Supervisory Responsibilities: No direct supervisory assignments – has dotted line responsibility for coaching and guiding educators with pedagogy and curriculum implementation.  

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing! 

This full-time, salaried position offers a comprehensive benefits package, a supportive work environment with a hybrid work option for some administrative duties, and a competitive starting salary range of $58,000 - $62,000 annually.

The salary offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to its mission of creating a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community by nurturing meaningful and lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented group.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Jewish Education, or related field required and 2-5 years experience in early childhood education or Jewish educational settings and at least 1 year experience developing curriculum is required. Experience in Jewish communal settings (e.g., JCC, synagogue, camp) preferred. 

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able drive a motor vehicle and to pass a MRV review. 

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion. 

Skills and Abilities:   

• Strong knowledge of Jewish traditions, culture, and values  

• Demonstrated ability to design engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences  

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships across multiple stakeholders  

• Ability to coach and support educators in a reflective, growth-oriented way  

• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to work across multiple sites  

• Flexible, proactive, and relationship-driven work style  

• Must have strong computer skills: social media literacy, proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel. 

• Must have a record of successfully working well independently and with others, building/sustaining collaborative working relationships.  

• Must be a self-starter who takes the initiative. 
• Familiarity with Israeli culture and/or experience living, studying, or working in Israel  

• Proficiency or comfort with Hebrew language (spoken and/or written) 

• Experience with Reggio-inspired or emergent curriculum approaches  

• Displays a record of success designing programs that integrate Jewish values to create compelling and joyful experiences 

• Displays outstanding project management skills from design to implementation, managing deadlines with great attention to detail and maintaining high quality standards. 

• Demonstrates excellent organizational and time management skills  

• Demonstrates the ability to multitask and manage situations effectively and diplomatically; ability to adapt to evolving needs and circumstances.  

• Demonstrates a history of superb interpersonal and active listening skills 

• Demonstrates a commitment to building strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders. 

Physical Requirements: Position requires regular local travel between ELC sites and most responsibilities require on-site/in-person presence while some administrative work may be completed remotely on occasion to meet the expectations of the job.   

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

In addition to a rewarding career within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers full-time employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive cost-sharing Health and Dental Insurance
• JCC Sponsored/Paid Health Reimbursement Account
• JCC Sponsored/Paid Group Life Insurance/LTD Coverage
• Generous paid time off supporting a quality work-life balance
• Tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Voluntary Supplemental Vision Insurance
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Life/ADD coverage for you and your family
• AbilityAssist Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Norton Cyber Security Program
• LegalEase Insurance program

JCCGB Perks! This position is eligible for a free individual membership to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, many fitness classes, and workout facilities, as well as discounts to many JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool, and more! Complimentary individual membership includes: 

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman
• Access to group fit classes, Arts & Culture adult programming at member rates
• Discounts on a variety JCCGB's fitness/wellness programs and services
• Free wellness events!
• Discounted child care at JCCGB Early Learning Centers and after-school program
• Discounted JCCGB camp tuition

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues
• Team camaraderie
• How their managers treat them
• Individual autonomy
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
• Pride in working for the JCC
• Program and service quality
• Holding ourselves accountable    

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.