Jewish Life and Learning Specialist

JCC Association of North America; Newton (MA); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Supportive work environment

Hybrid work option for administrative duties

Job summary

JCC Association of North America is seeking a Jewish Life and Learning Specialist in Newton, Massachusetts. This full-time role focuses on integrating Jewish traditions into early learning experiences and fostering community engagement. The Specialist will collaborate with educators and families to provide meaningful Jewish learning opportunities.

The position offers a competitive salary range of $58,000 - $62,000 annually, dependent on qualifications and experience, along with a hybrid working option and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years experience in early childhood education or Jewish educational settings.
• At least 1 year experience developing curriculum.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Design engaging Jewish learning experiences for children.
• Support educators in integrating Jewish values.
• Build relationships with educators and families.

Skills

Knowledge of Jewish traditions, culture, and values

Strong interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Fluency or comfort with Hebrew

Education

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or Jewish Education

Job description

Location and Job Title:

Jewish Life and Learning Specialist JCC Greater Boston 333 Nahanton St Newton, MA 02459

Principal Responsibilities:

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.

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

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.
• Must have 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.

Salary:

$58,000

COVID SAFETY

JCC Greater Boston takes the welfare and safety of staff and children very seriously. Over 99% of our staff have been vaccinated. We have aligned all of our operating procedures with guidance from the CDC and the state. Our practices include ensuring proper physical distancing, sanitation, hygiene, and use of face coverings when appropriate to promote the health of our staff and program participants.