Director of Synagogue Organizing

Mission: The Greater Boston Synagogue Organizing Project is a nationally recognized initiative of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, to engage local synagogues in social justice organizing. GBSOP identifies trains and mentors synagogue leaders to develop and implement campaigns on issues of critical concern, both on a local and regional level, in partnership with other faith communities.

General Statement of Duties: Responsible for oversight of all aspects of initiative; evolving vision and strategy, ensuring financial stability, supervising and training staff, providing guidance and support to GBSOP leadership team, organizing on the ground in select synagogues, and collaborating with local broad based organizations, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) and MetroWest Interfaith Communities Acting for Hope (MICAH).

Reports to: the Director of Social Justice Programs.  

• Visioning and Strategic Planning: Oversee strategic direction in growing and deepening GBSOP, engaging staff and lay leadership in process. Evaluate and continuously improve programs. 
• Supervision: Hire, train, supervise and evaluate JCRC’s synagogue organizing staff and prioritize their continued growth and development.
• Training and Leadership Development: Provide training as needed on a range of topics associated with organizing, for staff and lay leaders. Provide ongoing guidance to GBSOP leaders and staff bi-monthly meetings.
• Partnerships; Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with organizing partners; GBIO, MICAH, Jewish Organizing Initiative (JOI) and the new Center for Jewish Organizing Training.
• Organizing: Act as primary organizer in select synagogues, i.e. identify, train and mentor leaders in building a core team, provide ongoing support in congregational development and issue campaigns.
• Funding and Budgeting: Oversee program budget, ensure the ongoing financial stability of synagogue organizing, write grant proposals and reports and work with development staff to identify new funding sources.
• JCRC Social Justice Team: Participate as member of Social Justice Team and provide organizing resources as needed to team members
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: 
• Minimum of five years’ experience in organizing, ideally in broad based organizing.
• Working knowledge of Jewish community and synagogue culture.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to identify, develop and mentor staff and leaders
• Keen political understanding
• Strong Jewish background
• Willingness to work evenings and Sundays as needed

Please send cover letter and resume to Jean Connolly at jconnolly@jcrcboston.org