Director, Shinshinim & Israel Engagement

Clear Destination Inc.; Wauwatosa (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

4% 401(k) match

Life insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD)

Flexible Spending Plan

Paid parental leave

Holiday pay

Tuition reimbursement

Wellbeing programming

Complimentary JCC membership

Generous vacation and sick time

Job summary

The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore through Jewish Educational Services (JES) seeks a Director of Shinshinim & Israel Engagement to lead a cohort of Israeli young adults, foster partnerships with schools, host families, and community organizations, and connect Baltimore with Israel.

This leadership role oversees program planning, budgeting, evaluation, and growth, requiring a passionate advocate for Israel, Jewish communal life, and leadership development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent.
• Five or more years of experience in Jewish communal service, education, nonprofit leadership, youth engagement, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing young adults.
• Outstanding relationship-building, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and support Shinshinim cohort and provide learning experiences.
• Advance Israel engagement through programs, collaborations, and initiatives.
• Build partnerships with schools, synagogues, camps, and organizations.
• Engage host families and lay leaders; support leadership committees.
• Provide strategic leadership: planning, budgeting, evaluation, and growth opportunities.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Facilitation

Organizational skills

Project management

Diplomacy

Leadership

Israel engagement

Leadership development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Director, Shinshinim & Israel Engagement

Jewish Educational Services (JES), an agency of The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore, seeks an exceptional relationship-builder, educator, and community leader to serve as the Director, Shinshinim & Israel Engagement.

This highly visible leadership role oversees JES’s Shinshinim program and broader Israel engagement efforts. The Shinshinim Director, with the support of the JES team, mentors a cohort of Israeli young adults serving throughout the community, cultivates partnerships with schools and organizations, engages host families and lay leaders, and creates meaningful opportunities for connection between Baltimore and Israel.

The successful candidate will be passionate about Israel, Jewish communal life, leadership development, and the power of personal relationships.

What You'll Do

Lead and Support the Shinshinim Cohort

• Mentor and support a cohort of Israeli young adults, fostering their personal growth, leadership development, and success throughout the year.
• Create meaningful learning, professional development, and community engagement experiences.
• Serve as a trusted coach and advocate, helping participants navigate challenges and maximize their impact.

Advance Israel Engagement

• Strengthen connections between Baltimore and Israel through educational programs, cultural experiences, and community initiatives.
• Collaborate with educators, clergy, professionals, and lay leaders to expand meaningful opportunities for Israel engagement.

Build Community Partnerships

• Cultivate strong relationships with schools, synagogues, camps, and community organizations.
• Partner with community stakeholders to enhance the reach, impact, and effectiveness of Shinshinim programming.
• Serve as a trusted resource and connector across the community.

Engage Host Families and Lay Leaders

• Recruit, support, and engage host families, volunteers, alumni, and community advocates.
• Staff and partner with the Shinshinim Lay Leadership Committee to support program vision, strategy, and success.

Provide Strategic Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of program planning, implementation, budgeting, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage key partnerships with the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership, and other stakeholders.
• Measure and communicate program impact while identifying opportunities for growth, innovation, and expanded community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five or more years of experience in Jewish communal service, education, nonprofit leadership, youth engagement, Israel engagement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing young adults.
• Outstanding relationship-building, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Passion for Jewish communal life, Israel, and leadership development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hebrew language proficiency.
• Experience living, studying, or working in Israel.
• Experience in Jewish education, camps, youth movements, Hillel, synagogue, or community-based organizations.
• Experience managing budgets, grants, and partnerships.

About Jewish Educational Services

Jewish Educational Services (JES), an agency of The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore, promotes and strengthens Jewish education in Baltimore by supporting families, educators, schools, and community institutions. Through educational innovation, professional development, Israel engagement, and strategic partnerships, JES helps create meaningful Jewish experiences and vibrant Jewish futures throughout Greater Baltimore.

Learn more at https://www.jesbaltimore.org

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range is $80,000-$90,000; commensurate withqualifications, skills, and experience

Benefit & Perks: The Associated offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (Health Savings Account), 4% 401(k) employer match, life insurance, Long Term Disability (LTD),Flexible Spending Plan, paid parental leave, holiday pay, tuition reimbursement, wellbeing programming, and a complimentary membership to the Jewish Community Center. We also make work/life balance a priority by offering generous vacation and sick time. To learn more about what it’s like to work at The Associated, check out our brochure here.

This job ad is not intended to be all-inclusive, but to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed. The Associated is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with our Jewish values, The Associated supports a thriving Baltimore that celebrates diversity and appreciates the unique combination of gender, race, age, religion and ethnicity, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical disabilities, and special qualities that each resident adds to the fabric of life in Baltimore. We welcome everyone interested in our mission to join us. If you require accommodations, please contact us, and we will make every effort to meet your needs.