We are currently hiring an Education Director for the Morris Winchevsky School. This position offers a unique opportunity for the right person to join an established organization with a strong and active Board of Directors, a small staff and a passionate membership who treasure a culture steeped in social justice.

The United Jewish People’s Order (UJPO) is a non-profit, social justice, secular Jewish cultural and educational organization with its largest branch in Toronto. The Morris Winchevsky School is a registered charitable organization, founded in 1928 by UJPO, and committed to experiential social justice education and to making secular Jewish life relevant through a wide variety of cultural, social and educational programs, including our Sunday school. Camp Naivelt, our family-oriented summer community, operates in the summer on a beautiful piece of land near Brampton.

We are looking for an enthusiastic staff member who:

• Understands and will champion social justice, antiracist, and secular Jewish values
• Is committed to inclusive, respectful, democratic engagement and leadership
• Is able to promote and integrate secular Jewish culture, education and social action into all facets of the shule’s curriculum and holidays
• Is eager to make an impact, and turn values into education and events

Educators and the Shule Assistant are responsible to the Education Director, who reports to the Executive Director. The Shule is governed by the Board of Directors of the Morris Winchevsky School (the Employer) and consulted by the Shule Advisory Committee (SAC).

Responsibilities & Duties

Shule Classroom & Operational Oversight

• Overview of the Shule’s four streams – Kinder Kapers/Senior Kapers, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, and the B’Mitzvah classes (class divisions are determined by enrollment)
• Run the weekly Educators Meeting to support Educators’ lesson planning
• Review and provide necessary revisions or edits to each lesson plan with Educators prior to the week’s Shule, and ensure the ongoing review and reflection of Educators is properly stored for future curriculum development
• Assemble and review education materials in the Shule Education digital Drive, as well as in physical form
• Maintain and update the MWS Curriculum as required
• Facilitate the ongoing B’Mitzvah parent meeting for the end-of-year B’Mitzvah Graduation, with agenda and deadlines for parents
• Oversee the graduation ceremony for the B’Mitzvah students, including rehearsals, material preparation, purchase of gifts, supervision of project completion, coordination of administrative support, and facilitation of the parents’ group in collaboration with the B’Mitzvah Educator
• Collaborate on and support curriculum development offered to the Adult Educator when possible
• Collaborate on and support Youth Group program development when possible
• Collaborate, strategize, and improve on MWS operations and opportunities with the Executive Director
• Arrive 40 minutes in advance of scheduled class (no later than 9:30 am every Sunday) to assist Educators in setting up the classroom, and remain for 30 minutes after each session to ensure rooms are returned to a presentable state (agreed in accordance with the landlord); responsible for unlocking and locking the building as needed
• If Educators are not available, arrange substitute Educators for the classroom; if no substitute Educators are available, substitute teach the class (paid at the same rate as other substitute teachers)
• Ensure that any conflicts among students are resolved with the assistance and supervision of the class’s designated Educator
• Liaise between Educators and parents, as well as between Educators and operational staff, should any conflicts arise
• Develop and facilitate a two-part Professional Development session, based on the principles of experiential education
• Continually seek out funding and educational opportunities
• Event planning, coordination, set up and tear down of all Shule-wide community holiday celebrations; attend all holiday celebrations in connection with the Sunday School program, including Sukkot, Hannukah, and Purim
• Direct communication and supervision of Educators, the Shule Assistant, and TAs
• Keep track of student and staff attendance discrepancies
• Purchase materials and supplies for the Shule, including printed materials and class supplies; ensure Educators are within the weekly budget for allowed expenses
• Purchase student notebooks for Grades 1 through B’Mitzvah
• Plan and organize special guests throughout the school year in consultation with the Executive Director

Shule Digital Communications

• Document Shule-day activities in photos and videos, for use by the Shule’s Marketing personnel
• Compile and send monthly recap class emails, with photographs for each class, written by Educators
• Write regular emails (weekly or less) to parents summarizing last Sunday’s activities and informing them of upcoming special events and activities
• Update the copy for MWS webpages as required; MWS webpages are maintained in collaboration with the Operations Manager, the Social Media & Marketing Specialist, and the Executive Director
• Collaborate with the Social Media & Marketing Specialist on MWS social media content, campaigns and strategy

Shule & Org Collaboration

• Respond promptly to all communications from the Executive Director and parent body when possible
• All liaison with parents, Educators, and operational staff
• MWS budget oversight in conjunction with the Finance Director and Executive Director, at least twice a year
• Hire, train, and manage the four Educators, the Shule support staff, teachers’ assistants, and any additional staff under their responsibility
• Prepare for, attend, and report to the Shule Advisory Committee (SAC) on an ongoing basis during the school year
• Liaise with the Venue Manager and tenants on all building-related issues at 918 Bathurst, with the support of the Executive Director when necessary
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director in support of the high holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre and the Third Seyder) and encourage MWS families to attend

Other duties as assigned in all areas as required.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience and Bachelor-level education in Education and/or Social Justice
• 1-3 years of leadership experience
• Knowledge of Jewish knowledge, culture, histories and holidays
• Knowledge of experiential education and pedagogy, and experience applying experiential practice to all aspects of lesson plans and holiday planning
• Experience working with children
• Experience with supervision and mentorship
• Experience with curriculum development
• Ability to pivot and think critically on your feet
• Experience with event production
• Strong commitment to Yiddishkeit an asset
• Ability to speak Yiddish and/or Hebrew an asset
• Knowledge of software systems and programs, as well as social media platforms
• Able to work flexible hours

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Executive Director, Sarena Sairan. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Apply by email