Director of Education and Music Leader

Position Summary
The Director of Education and Music Leader is a full-time senior staff position at Kesher Israel Congregation, serving as a central partner in a period of significant growth and transformation. At this pivotal moment in our congregational life, Kesher Israel is intentionally moving toward a more integrated, intergenerational community in which learning, worship, music, and family life are deeply connected.

Working in close partnership with the Rabbi, this role provides shared spiritual and educational leadership, combining strategic oversight of Jewish learning with musical and liturgical leadership that animates prayer and brings families into meaningful relationship with Jewish life. Together, the Rabbi and Director collaborate to shape experiences that feel accessible, joyful, and rooted—especially for children and families—while strengthening congregational participation across generations.

Our Religious School currently serves approximately 80 students in grades K–7 and functions as a critical bridge between our award-winning preschool and a planned Hebrew High School. The Director of Education and Music Leader plays a key role in shaping this continuum, cultivating a creative, experiential learning environment that integrates each child’s world with joyful Jewish learning, a strong Jewish identity, Hebrew literacy, and comfort in prayer.

Instruction/Education
• Serve as a thought partner and collaborator with the Rabbi, jointly shaping educational, musical, and worship experiences that support KI’s goal of a fully integrated congregational life.
• Lead curriculum implementation of best practices with measurable performance goals to ensure continued innovation and vitality.
• Oversee bi-annual progress reports, monitoring class and prayer service attendance.
• Assist teachers in creating comfortable, structured, joyful, safe classroom learning environments; conduct regular observations and provide feedback.
• Supervise the B’nai Mitzvah program; coordinate with instructor, students, families, and Rabbi to ensure success.
• Apply leadership and management direction synergistically with the preschool.

Music
• Collaborate and partner with the Rabbi in planning Shabbat services.
• Periodically lead services with the Rabbi and independently.
• Facilitate Tefillah services for students.
• Serve as Cantor for High Holy Days services.
• Develop and help lead programs including Tot/Family Shabbat, holiday programs, and Havdalah.
• Explore and implement creative approaches to musical and spiritual engagement.
• Reimagine and grow opportunities for communal music-making.
• Lead joyous prayer services, filled with energy and ruach, and engage the community in worship.

Administration
• Oversee all day-to-day operations of the religious school, including recruitment, enrollment, and long-range planning.
• Develop and manage a balanced budget in collaboration with lay leadership; maintain financial oversight and pursue grant opportunities.
• Develop, implement and manage school safety procedures with staff and leadership.
• Communicate school matters to the Rabbi, synagogue Board of Directors, and Religious School Education Committee; attend monthly Board and Committee meetings.

Management
• Recruit, supervise, and develop professional staff, including the B’nai Mitzvah instructor.
• Build and maintain relationships with students, parents, & teachers; serve as a dynamic role model.
• Collaborate with PTO Chair/Co-Chairs and Religious School Education Committee, thereby cultivating a parent/congregant support network.
• Manage student discipline and follow policies established in the Religious School Handbook.

Communication
• Communicate effectively, regularly, and creatively with students, parents, congregants, and the Chester County Jewish community, including providing a monthly article for the Synagogue newsletter.
• Foster strong connections to the larger Jewish community.

Requirements
• Advanced degree in Education and/or Judaic studies
• Experience in education, ideally in a Jewish setting with classroom experience in elementary or middle school.
• Strong knowledge with Hebrew and Jewish liturgy.
• Belief in and experience with a progressive, pluralistic, egalitarian Jewish environment.
• Understanding special needs and different learning styles
• Prior supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Comfortable with office computer technology such as MS Office, Zoom, etc.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks effectively
• Preference for candidates with experience or training as a Cantor or Cantorial Soloist.
• Preference for candidates with musical instrumentation skills, especially guitar or piano.
• Other reasonable duties assigned from time to time.

Compensation
Salary range is $80,000 – $110,000 per year, dependent on experience and how well specific skills align with the core requirements of the position.

Candidate Submissions
Send cover letter, resume, and files or links to any samples to shalom@kesher-israel.org .