Israeli Community Engagement Specialist

Title: Israeli Community Engagement Specialist (Rakez/et LKishrei ’Kehillah)

Reports to: Chief Jewish Experience Officer

Department: Jewish Life

Status: Part-Time

Salary: $40/ hour, 12 hrs/ week

About the PJCC:

First formed in the 19th Century to enable new immigrants to learn English, find housing, and promote community building, Jewish Community Centers soon became a hub of activity for people of all ages. Small classes for toddlers became early childhood departments; pools and steam rooms grew into full-fledged health, wellness, and recreation departments; and, as the population aged, information and services for seniors grew. Currently, there are over 250 JCCs (Jewish Community Centers) in North America, including 17 in California alone. Although each center is unique, they share the goal of providing programs and services that reinforce the life-affirming values and proud traditions we embrace.

Founded by a group of enthusiastic Jewish community members, the PJCC was brought to life in a rented home in Burlingame in 1948. A place of compassion and a symbol of unity to all, the PJCC quickly became popular among many San Mateo County residents. With demand for the Center growing by leaps and bounds, the tiny house was soon too small to support the needs of its membership, so the Center was moved to a storefront in San Carlos. By 1960, due to the Peninsula’s increasing population, the Board of Directors eagerly set out to find a new home yet again. In 1963, the PJCC purchased and opened a much larger facility on a 4+ acre site in the Belmont hills where it remained for the next 40 years.

The PJCC proudly opened its new 12-acre home in Foster City in May 2004. This momentous occasion came as the result of years of hard work, contributions and the dedication of hundreds of individuals banding together. For over 75 years, the PJCC has worked to inspire a sense of community in San Mateo County.

The PJCC’s Mission is that: We positively impact people’s lives, fostering belonging and meaningful connections with a diverse community, grounded in Jewish values and traditions.

Overview of the Role:

The North Peninsula is home to a growing Israeli population, including young families seeking connection to other Israeli families and to the larger Jewish community. The Israeli Community Engagement Manager will help position PJCC as a gathering place for Israeli community, where resources and support are available, and where Israelis can reaffirm their identity and ties to Israel. The Israeli Community Engagement Manager will provide and curate relevant programming and outreach services by partnering with community members to identify their own interests and needs, engage with each other, maintain their Israeli identity, and connect with the local Jewish eco-system.

This is a 12 hour/week role with hours that should respond to the needs of the community being served. Often, nights and weekends are the timeframe that will appeal for programs. This position reports to the Chief Jewish Experience Officer.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the design, promotion and implementation of onsite and offsite activities for the Israeli community.
• Serve as the primary PJCC representative during events and facilitate relationship building among participants
• Serve as point of contact for Israeli community partners for programming collaboration
• Serve as part of PJCC's Jewish education team and program contributor for holiday events
• Partner with the PJCC program directors (preschool, after-school, Beged Kefet Hebrew classes, camps, adult programs, etc.) to enhance and increase opportunities for Israeli community to feel comfortable and excited to participate in these programs
• Partner with marketing department to create a Israeli voice and use social media to expand our reach to Hebrew speakers in North Peninsula
• Create an advisory group of community members to ensure this work is carried out in alignment with needs of the community
• Bring education and spirit of Israel to the general PJCC atmosphere
• Handle additional responsibilities as determined by CJEO

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; 2 year minimum experience with Jewish Community Work, preferred
• Enthusiastic and friendly
• Organizational skills, ability to follow-through and meet deadlines; a reliable colleague
• Ability to communicate information clearly (written and oral) in Hebrew and English
• Have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Israeli culture
• Deep understanding of Jewish calendar year and themes, with a creative approach to integrating Jewish content into community-building activities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to create content
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and maintain long-term relationships within the local community and volunteers
• Willingness to work some night and weekend hours
• Represent the PJCC in a professional manner and provide excellent customer service.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to:

• Remain stationary
• Frequently stand for long periods of time during events
• Move within your work area
• Operate a computer and office productivity machinery
• Communicate across a variety of mediums
• Transport items up to 10 lbs.
• Comfortable in off-site locations, both scouting options and leading programs off campus

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. While performing the duties of this job, the work environment can be noisy and you may be working in close proximity with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as phones, computers and printers. You will have access to restroom, copy room and break room facilities.

PJCC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Minority/Female/Veteran/Disability

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and, when possible, to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the PJCC and its employees.