Deadline for applications: July 25th 2024
Job title: Downtown Minyan Director of Programs
Status: Full-Time. This role offers the possibility for remote work and a flexible schedule, taking into account the DM's programming needs.
Salary Range: $70-95,000 + Health Insurance stipend.
If this role sparks your interest but you have other considerations or unique qualifications, we encourage you to contact us.
The Downtown Minyan (DM) is a spiritually uplifting, intellectually engaging, radically welcoming, and outward-looking Jewish community in Lower Manhattan, serving young Jewish professionals. Rooted in traditional/Orthodox Jewish practice and liturgy, we focus on celebrating Shabbat and Jewish holidays and offer a growing number of additional programs, including classes, holiday parties, and volunteer activities. The DM is at a pivotal stage of growth, poised to serve a broader audience beyond our local community by acting as a Jewish wisdom platform. We are an independent community benefiting from relationships with NYU’s Bronfman Center and other small non-profit organizations.
About the Job: The DM Director of Programs will work closely with the DM’s Rosh Kehilla, Dr. Mijal Bitton, a world-renowned Jewish thought leader. As this is a new role helping to build a growing, dynamic community, this position involves a mix of high-level strategic planning, hands-on communal work, and attention to logistical detail. It requires creativity, resourcefulness, and leveraging existing resources to foster our community. We seek someone with both the visionary insight to innovate and the execution skills to bring ideas to life, all driven by a passion for fostering meaningful Jewish living.
The DM Director of Programs will drive our community’s weekly operations and communications and take ownership of implementing our evolving vision for growth. Our weekly Shabbat gatherings draw 100-150 regular attendees, and we host various weekday events such as Torah classes, book clubs, civic engagement, and social gatherings. We take pride in our commitment to Jewish peoplehood and our community’s diversity in religious observance, ideology, and other areas. As a small but mighty team in a growing community, we are excited to continue expanding and making a meaningful impact.
Responsibilities:
Communal:
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Program Planning and Management: Plan and manage programs and events such as our Shabbat gatherings, classes, and social events. This includes fully owning and directing logistics, working with venues, and addressing emerging needs. While much of the work is remote, expect to oversee these activities in person in Lower Manhattan 1-2 times a week, including events on weekends and outside the 9-5 window.
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Communal Presence: Attend and staff significant weekday events, at least one Shabbat per month, Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Purim, Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut, Shavuot, and other special occasions as required, with an eye towards engaging community members and ensuring programmatic excellence. Serving as an educational resource is a plus if appropriate.
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Lay Leadership Coordination: Help support, energize, and mobilize lay leadership and volunteer activities.
Operational:
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Budget Oversight: Work with our staff (and eventually, our board) to oversee the DM’s
budget, work within our systems to pay vendors, track donations, and create budget reports.
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Communications: Manage all contact with DM constituents (email, WhatsApp, etc) and
direct external communication campaigns, including social media and website.
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Infrastructure Development: Develop, formalize, and implement more effective
management systems for the community (ex: a better budget system or better donor
tracking system) to accommodate organizational growth.
Advancement/Growth:
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Strategic Partnership: Partner with RK to create and implement a strategic growth vision
to identify best areas of growth for the DM.
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Fundraising and Membership: Help create and execute fundraising and membership
strategies, systems, and campaigns.
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Project Execution and Support: Execute and support new DM projects. Ideate, innovate
and strategize around DM “wall-less” projects with RK Mijal, such as digital/written Torah projects.
Qualifications:
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4-7 years of relevant experience in Jewish communal work, engagement, marketing, administration, or other relevant fields.
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Responsible and proactive, with the ability to identify and undertake necessary tasks.
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Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to think outside the box.
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Familiarity with traditional Jewish practice and the Jewish calendar, or eagerness to learn.
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Enthusiasm for The Downtown Minyan’s values, mission, and vision.
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Resourceful and nimble, able to manage multiple priorities and work autonomously with
attention to detail.
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Strong interpersonal skills, with a friendly and collaborative approach, capable of effectively
engaging and cooperating with colleagues and community members.
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Marketing and design experience is a plus; social media experience is also a plus.
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Ability to attend at least one Shabbat per month in downtown Manhattan. Additional local
availability on Fridays is a strong plus.
Please email your CV and Cover Letter to Thedowntownminyan@gmail.com if you are interested.