Jewish Culture Coordinator-New Country Day Camp

The New Orleans Jewish Community Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Jewish Culture Coordinator for their vibrant summer camp in New York City. This role invites you to create and implement engaging Jewish programming that resonates with campers while fostering a joyful and inclusive atmosphere. You'll be at the heart of a multicultural community, guiding children through meaningful activities that celebrate Jewish traditions and values. This position not only requires creativity and leadership but also offers the chance to make a significant impact in the lives of young campers. If you are passionate about education and community building, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with elementary school-age children required.
• Professional-level experience in Jewish Education is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Jewish programming for campers aged 4-13.
• Supervise staff and ensure successful execution of camp activities.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Oral Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Cultural Sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field

Job description

Jewish Culture Coordinator - New Country Day Camp
Educational Alliance
197 E Broadway
New York, NY 10002

New Country Day Camp is an open-tent community that celebrates and sustains joyful, outdoor summer experiences where all can thrive. We maintain a proud legacy as a Jewish camp, comprised of a multicultural community, representing and celebrating the heartbeat of NYC. We build meaningful connections with ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us through innovative programming that is rooted in Jewish tradition and guided by universal values.

New Country Day Camp is a 7-week, outdoor summer camp for campers in kindergarten-8th grade. NCDC operates M-F, 8am-5pm, and provides transportation for staff and campers to and from our campgrounds on Staten Island via multiple locations throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. NCDC is a neurodiverse camp community, and all staff members are responsible for supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical campers and staff to have successful summers.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Youth Programs, the Jewish Culture Coordinator will play a pivotal role in the development, implementation, and execution of Jewish programming on the grounds at New Country Day Camp. The Jewish Culture Coordinator utilizes the NCDC mission, values, and Jewish ethos to generate recommendations for Jewish initiatives and programming throughout the pre-camp and summer months.

Scope of Influence

• Direct client group: Campers ages 4-13
• Directly supervises: Instructional team of Camp Counselors
• Directly supervised by Associate Director of Youth Programs
• Collaborates with Program Specialists, Program Coordinator, and Programs Manager

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Camp Planning

• Consult with various members of the leadership team on the development of the New Country Day Camp Curriculum Guide and visibility of Jewish Initiatives
• Develop and lead staff training session on Shabbat/ Jewish Programming at camp
• Submit lesson plans for all program varieties (Division-wide, cohort, inclement weather) to supervisor and consultants
• Attend pre-camp Key Staff meetings leading up to the summer

Program Management

• Teach weekly, Division-wide Jewish Programming Blocks, incorporating activities that give meaning to NCDC values and seasonal theme.
• Develop and execute 30-40-minute activities for groups of ~30 campers at a time grouped by age and inclusive of varying needs and abilities
• Lead an activity daily as part of Lower Camp Programming program offerings
• Create and implement alternative programming for activity periods as needed (e.g. absent Program Staff, schedule adjustments, etc.)
• Develop, execute, and lead portions of weekly Shabbat celebrations, including writing a story/skit related to the theme of each week.
• Where possible/appropriate, utilize music as a means of engaging campers and staff in NCDC Jewish Curriculum
• Be actively involved in the development and implementation of NCDC Maccabi Games (color war) and other specialty programming (e.g. Tu B'av holiday programming)
• Execute inclement weather programming as needed over the summer

Leadership and Staff Supervision

• As a member of Key Staff, attend key staff meetings and uphold commitment to prioritizing the Jewish curriculum at camp throughout the summer
• As a member of Key Staff, step in to support the general execution of the camp day-to-day as needed
• Support NCDC staff in continuing to develop and oversee the throughline of Jewish throughout each week
• Act as resource for all staff in implementing the Jewish curriculum at camp
• Attend weekly Program Staff meetings and act as resource for the Program Staff to incorporate the theme into their lesson plans
• Task manage counselors and develop clear roles for them during programming
• Model professional behavior for campers and other staff at all times
• Maintain and exhibit a role of leadership at all times as a member of NCDC's Key Staff
• Establish and promote a commitment to the values, mission, and vision of New Country Day Camp
• Be present at all days of orientation, camp and staff meetings during the camp season

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience working with elementary school-age children
• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience required
• Professional-level experience in the field of Jewish Education
• Previous experience as a supervisor or mentor preferred
• Excellent organizational and oral communication skills
• Ability to successfully interact with children and colleagues of diverse cultural and social backgrounds
• Fast learner with ability to work independently and collaboratively

Compensation: $25/hour

Agency Information:

A nonprofit beacon of hope for over 130 years, as a historically Jewish organization Educational Alliance believes in the power of communities to lift up people of all ages and turn strangers into neighbors. We offer high-quality, affordable education programs, health services, and diverse cultural enrichment right where New Yorkers live and raise their families. We make the city a brighter, friendlier and more supportive place. Our community centers offer multi-generational programs that push boundaries and break barriers, sharing critical tools to foster relationships and advance the well-being of people in New York City.

Our pioneering educational programs--like 2Generation Head Start, and courses ranging from art to fitness, career readiness to citizenship--are carefully curated and developed with our city's residents in mind. We offer dozens of options and we never stop innovating to help people of all ages grow, connect, and engage.

Guided by Jewish values, Educational Alliance celebrates the differences and individuality every person brings when they walk through our doors because we know that there is more that connects us than keeps us divided. Today, our reach extends beyond the city as our innovative programs serve as models for other organizations to adopt and implement in their communities. We invite you to join us as we partner with our neighbors, strengthen our city, and pave the way for more generations of New Yorkers to live enriched and fulfilling lives - because you belong here.