JOB TITLE:Youth Directors

United Synagogue Job Description

LOCATION:Brondesbury Park United Synagogue

WORKING HOURS: 20-25 hours (combined, i.e. 10-15 hours each) including some evenings and weekends

ANNUAL SALARY: £10,000 (combined)

REPORTS TO:Rabbi & Rebbetzen + board member

BENEFITS:Accommodation in vicinity of synagogue

20 days holiday, plus Statutory Bank Holidays (except where conflicting with chaggim in which case alternative arrangements will be made

Workplace Pensions

1 INTRODUCTION

The Brondesbury Park community has undergone a transformation over the last twelve years, moving from a position where there were no children born into the community to an average annual birth rate of between 15-20 children. Youth provision to date has centred around youth leaders walking from outside of the area on a Shabbat morning to lead a youth service, with attendance ranging between 15-25 people.

Over the past 18 months, the community has witnessed an explosion in the number of young people becoming bar/bat mitzvah. In light of this, it has recognised the need to broaden both the range of activities on offer to its youth and the need to create a base for the youth to gravitate towards, with strong role models who can inspire young adults in their Jewish identity and general self-development at this crucial point in their lives. This new and exciting role would revolve around a couple who would be housed locally, have experience in the field of youth work and have a passion for working with young people.

2 MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF JOB:

The Youth Directors would look to expand the range of current religious, cultural and social activities provided for the youth with a view to creating a vibrant, stimulating and inclusive youth experience on Shabbat and Chaggim spilling over into the week.

The key focus of their work would be school years 7-13 (age 11-18).

The job would entail the creation and implementation of programmes which cultivate the Jewish and personal growth of a young person in line with a modern Orthodox Jewish outlook and would be predicated upon building a strong sense of trust within the group among each other and including a mentoring role. The Youth Directors will work with Tribe Central and other Tribe synagogue youth workers to maximise the range of activities that can be offered at Brondesbury Park and with other shuls.

3 POSITION IN ORGANISATION:

The Youth Directors will be considered an integral part of the Brondesbury Park team and will be supported and monitored by the Rabbi and Rebbetzen along with a board member. Brondesbury Park has a strong ‘can do’ attitude and operates a flat hierarchical structure so as to enable the successful running of programmes and events with a minimum amount of interference or bureaucracy. The position similarly requires a self-motivated, energetic and driven couple with a ‘can do’ attitude who are team players and get on with the job.

4 SHABBAT DUTIES:

To run a weekly Shabbat youth service on Shabbat morning including davening and a programme
To be a presence in the community for Shabbat also on Friday night and Shabbat afternoon
To host Shabbat meals for youth
To host periodic Friday night Onegs
To host periodic Seudah Shlishit
To arrange periodic family-focussed Shabbatons

5 GENERAL DUTIES

To promote events and activities through regular contact with youth & parents via social media, direct contact with kids.
To plan and run pre and post-Bar/Bat mitzvah education programmes including to support and encourage participation of post-Batmitzvah girls in women’s megillah readings and Hallel services and Friday night kabbalat Shabbat services.
To work with other parents to encourage and support learning initiatives already in place for the youth.
To attend Tribe meetings and training seminars specific to Youth Directors
To promote (where appropriate) Tribe initiatives and events
To arrange social events/activities for different age groups

For each group, Years 7-9, years 10-13

To include at least:

2 x multi-faith activities a year

2 x social action activities a year

2 x Israel advocacy activities a year

2 x team building activities a year

along with range of formal learning, and innovative social events.

Youth Couple’s home to be used for informal film nights, smaller group activities, special projects, family board game sessions, card nights etc.
To raise, in a quantifiable manner, the number of kids attending events during their 2 year term, through direct contact or personal introduction at shul or via parents.
To keep logs charting who attends which events and to use these logs (i) for the purposes of determining from a planning point of view which events have the greatest pull power and (ii) to identify youth who are not being engaged and find ways of engaging them.
To liaise with Tribe Central and other Youth Directors in similar roles regarding opportunities available via Tribe to the Youth
To maintain a budget

6. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Be committed to the aims of the United Synagogue and act as an ambassador for the organisation

Comply with The United Synagogue’s policy and procedures and code of expectations

Bring to the attention of senior staff any health and safety requirements, which become obvious. In the event of any immediate danger, to take the appropriate action to reduce risk to physical danger to employees, members, contractors, volunteers, children, parents, visitors or staff

Work collaboratively with other colleagues across the organisation to ensure the United Synagogue can achieve its vision, mission, and strategy

Undertake appropriate training as requested by your line manager in conjunction with the Human Resources Department and be committed to own continuous professional development

Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Chief Executive or other designated senior staff/undertaking such other duties that occasionally fall within the purpose of the post

Maintaining high levels of discretion and confidentiality at all times

This job description and person specification is not prescriptive; it merely outlines the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and the key tasks and responsibilities are subject to change, any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder

This Job Description is subject to alteration in response to the changes in legislation or The United Synagogue’s operational procedures

Due of the nature of the work for which you are applying, this post is exempt from the provisions of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation Act, 1974, by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, (Exceptions) Order 1975

Accordingly, a valid and current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (formerly CRB) that is satisfactory to the United Synagogue will be required. Please ensure that you complete the United Synagogue Application Form Part 2 appropriately

PERSON SPECIFICATION – BRONDESBURY PARK YOUTH DIRECTORS

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Certificate or diploma in Youth and Community Work / X
Substantial experience of working in a Youth and Community Work setting on a full or part-time basis and running programmes. / X
Counselling qualification / X
Excellent professional relationships skills when working with customers and employees at all levels; be willing to ask for and listen to ideas and feedback / X
Be fully committed to the philosophy and practice of Orthodox Judaism / X
Have experience in working successfully with both religious, non-religious and non-committed youth / X
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. / X
Ability to create own ideas for programmes and activities. / X
Willingness to ask for and listen to ideas and feedback. / X
Have the knowledge and experience to give shuirim and lead discussions at a range of levels up to youth in the sixth form / X
Have experience in running local and residential Shabbatons / X
Excellent understanding of younger people’s issues
(substance abuse, bullying, career choices) / X
Have a good understanding of the Jewish Community, Judaism and Jewish Values / X
Ability to work with deadlines, and in a very dynamic environment / X
Understand empowerment of young people and put this into practice / X
Energetic and proactive attitude / X
Possess excellent interpersonal skills, be articulate, creative, intelligent and self-motivated and have the self-confidence to build and maintain strong relationships / X
Proven experience as a proactive team member contributing to the success of the wider team and a proactive attitude. / X
The ability to integrate themselves into the community. / X