Youth Director – Community Organisation

We are an independent, traditional, orthodox community located in the thriving and growing Jewish area of Edgware, North West London. 

We are looking to employ a Male Youth Director to inspire the youth with regards to Tefilloh, Torah and community, as well as to develop their skills and motivation to enable them to play a proactive role in leading and running all aspects of the the Youth Service. 

This is a part time position (8 hours per week approximately).

Background 

The Congregation is an independent, traditional Orthodox community. The community has grown considerably over the last twenty years. The dynamic nature of the community can best be seen on Shabbat when the Shul offers a two Hashkama Minyanim, the Main Shul Service, Outdoor Minyan, the Sephardi Minyan, four children’s services and a Youth Service. 

The Youth Service has approximately 100 regular attendees on Shabbat aged 11-18. Youth provision extends to a fortnightly Friday night learning programme in the winter, a summer afternoon learning programme, regular oneg Shabbat, an off-site Shabbaton, Simchat Torah dinner and Purim/Chanukah events. 

Working Hours

• The youth directors will jointly work a total of 16 hours work per week (approximately 8 hours per person). There is flexibility to share tasks between the two roles 
• The majority of delivery will take place on Shabbat and Yomim Tovim with preparation/planning work carried out mid-week. The exact balance of hours will be agreed with the candidates before the roles begin 
• Annual leave entitlement will be 2 Shabbats per term plus the Shabbats in August. If you need to take other time off, this would need to be discussed separately.

Overview of the Roles

• The aim of the Youth Directors (1 Male and 1 Female) is to produce a community of youth who are inspired in their Judaism by organising and deliver a range of religious, educational and social activities for all the youth of Members. This includes those aged 11-18 years old, young women and men, those who are fully and less engaged. 
• To organise and deliver a range of religious, educational and social activities for young people aged 11-18, whose parents or guardians are members
• To increase the involvement of our youth ensuring that all ages, genders and levels of religious and community engagement are catered for 
• To be positive role models, build relationships, encourage participation and inspire personal growth 
• To create and implement programmes to engage and develop the youth 
• To create a warm and inspiring environment on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and through activities beyond religious services 
• To remain up-to-date with current safeguarding regulations and ensure all programming and contact with young people reflects this 
• To be role models in the commitment to, the practice and observance of Halacha and Mitzvot and the regular learning of Torah 

General Duties 

• To organise and run the morning Youth Service on Shabbat and Yom Tov – for young people from school years 7-13.
• To organise and run 10-15 Onegei Shabbat during the winter months and 10-15 late afternoon/evening learning and seudah shlishit programmes during the summer months for different school years 
• To organise and run programmes around Yomim Tovim, for example a youth Simchat Torah Dinner, a youth Tikkun Leil learning programme and events for Chanukah and Purim 
• To ensure any publications planned by and for the Youth Service are produced on time, and contain suitable content 
• To organise and run an annual residential youth Shabbaton 
• To work to a programming budget, agreed with the Congregation
• To actively draw closer those youth who are less or not engaged 
• To liaise with the various volunteers and professionals within the Congregation to ensure events and services run smoothly, including to attend regular management meetings during the course of the year 

In addition, specific to the male Youth Director role

• To manage a team of volunteers from the boys in the Youth Service to organise all aspects of the Shabbat/Yom Tov service such as a leining and davening rota, and setting up and clearing away of kiddush 
• To lead male attendees at the Youth Service in becoming more knowledgeable about, and inspired by, their tefillah and Jewish identity 

In addition, specific to the female Youth Director role: 

• To lead female attendees at the Youth Service in becoming more knowledgeable about, and inspired by, their tefillah and Jewish identity 
• To host a weekly learning programme for youth women on Shabbat during morning services

Person Specification: 

Necessary

• Knowledgeable and able to inspire and enthuse our youth about Judaism, Torah and Mitzvot 
• Open-minded, approachable, empathetic, friendly and outgoing 
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative, with excellent time management and task prioritisation 
• Creative and innovative 
• Able to demonstrate excellence in organisational skills and in verbal and written communication 
• Team players, who is keen to lead, but also to learn, in this role 
• Have a commitment to the practice and observance of Halacha and Mitzvos and the regular learning of Torah Skills and Experience 
• Substantial knowledge of Orthodox Jewish customs and practices, and ideally some experience in informal education 
• Proven experience in youth work, ideally with teenagers 
• Experience in creating, planning and running programmes 

Desirable

Familiarity with writing and designing publications like newsletters and flyers an advantage

For more information about the role, or to receive a personal recommendation, please contact our recruitment team. Melissa – melissa@theworkavenue.org.uk or Yael – yb@theworkavenue.org.uk

Code: J-02