Temple Emanu-El of Dallas - Director of the Center for Jewish Learning

Temple Emanu-El

Director of the Center for Jewish Learning

Dallas, TX

Salary: $115,000-$145,000

BACKGROUND

The Organization

Temple Emanu‑El of Dallas is among the largest Reform Jewish congregations in the country, serving a vibrant community of more than 2,500 families. Temple Emanu‑El is a place of sacred encounter, where learning, prayer, and deeds deepen people’s understanding of themselves, their world, and their responsibilities within it. Rooted in tradition and guided by a commitment to inclusion, lifelong Jewish learning, and meaningful connection, the Temple offers a dynamic spiritual home for individuals and families at every stage of life. Through worship, education, acts of tikkun olam, and strong communal relationships, Temple Emanu‑El inspires purposeful Jewish living and strengthens both its congregation and the broader Dallas community with warmth, integrity, and compassion.

The culture of Temple Emanu El is consistently described as warm, welcoming, relational, and deeply human centered, with a strong commitment to staff wellbeing, mental health, and healthy work life balance. Leadership is marked by a high level of trust and autonomy, with an intentional avoidance of micromanagement and a belief that people do their best work when they feel supported and empowered. Success within this environment depends on strong emotional intelligence and relationship building skills. Being visible, present, and engaged, and cultivating trust with parents, teachers, clergy, and lay leaders alike. This culture values collaboration, openness, and care, creating a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to contribute their best. 

The Center

The Religious School at Temple Emanu‑El, housed within the Karla & Larry Steinberg Center for Jewish Learning (CJL), is a dynamic and growing learning community that engages more than 625 students and is supported by a team of over 60 teachers. Sunday mornings are a carefully choreographed, large‑scale communal experience, bringing together educators, clergy, staff, students, and families in a vibrant ecosystem of Jewish learning. Through energy, intention, and thoughtful coordination, the program offers meaningful, developmentally rich experiences that foster Jewish identity, connection, and community, while continually evolving to meet the needs of a thriving and expanding congregation.

Inclusion at CJL is not aspirational, it is mission‑critical and identity‑defining. The school is intentionally designed to be a home for a wide range of learners and families, embracing diverse learning styles, interfaith households, LGBTQ+ families, and varying levels of Jewish knowledge, practice, and experience. This commitment to inclusion is lived out daily through accessible teaching approaches, responsive programming, and a culture of deep belonging. For many families, this ethos is so central that they travel significant distances to be part of a community where their children are truly known, supported, and celebrated for who they are.

Education and engagement are at the heart of Temple Emanu‑El’s mission. Guided by the core values of Prayer, Learning, Israel, Social Justice, and Community, the congregation strives to foster meaningful connections—among congregants, within families, and between individuals and the broader Jewish world. Team members collaborate across departments, support one another’s work, and together cultivate a welcoming, vibrant synagogue experience that reflects the values and vision of Temple Emanu‑El.

The Position

We are seeking a dynamic, warm, and creative professional to guide our youth and families through educational experiences that bring Jewish values into daily life, nurture spiritual exploration, and both anchor us and challenge us to reach out to a world in need.

Working in collaboration with the full Education & Engagement Team, the Director will be instrumental in shaping and implementing our approach to youth and teen education and engagement. We strive to create a learning environment built on relationships, honoring students lived experiences, integrating Social Emotional and Spiritual Learning, and bringing Jewish wisdom and tradition to life in immersive educational experiences spanning Kindergarten through high school graduation. 

This program strives to provide education that cultivates Jewish identity through experiential, relational, and immersive learning, grounding Judaism as a lived practice while strengthening continuity, meaning, and belonging.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Executive Leadership 

• In partnership with Rabbi Amy Rossel, Senior Director, and lay leadership:

o Develop and implement a forward-thinking vision for education and engagement for Kindergarten through 12th graders and their families.

o Cultivate and sustain a culture of belonging, where students, parents, faculty, and lay leaders feel connected to one another and to Temple Emanu-El’s mission. Ensure that Jewish learning is dynamic, relationship-driven, and deeply meaningful.

o Serve as staff liaison to the CJL Committee, collaborating with committee chair(s) to set vision, strategy, and priorities.

o Convene and lead relevant committees and task forces as needed.

• In partnership with the Youth Education Team, Education & Engagement staff, clergy, and/or lay leaders:

o Engage parents of Kindergarten through 12th graders in both adult learning and family-based educational opportunities.

o Connect students and families to meaningful Temple experiences that align with their interests and needs.

o Proactively recruit and welcome unengaged and under-engaged families into Temple’s youth programs.

o Contribute to and participate in Temple-wide events that engage Kindergarten through 12th grade students and their families, including worship and holiday celebrations.

o Collaborate with clergy and senior director to design and implement meaningful youth and family worship experiences, including High Holy Days.

• Serve as faculty at the URJ Greene Family Camp for one week in the summer and support retreats during the year.

Operations & Program Management

This role requires a leader who pairs big picture vision for Jewish learning with exceptional execution translating strategy into clear systems, schedules, and structures that make ambitious programming sustainable and effective.

• Supervise the CJL staff, Religious School faculty, and support staff, including responsibility for onboarding, supervision, and ongoing support to ensure a strong, well supported team of educators.

• Demonstrate strong operational leadership with a high value placed on organization, systems, and follow-through.

• Manage scheduling, substitute coverage, and day‑of logistics to ensure smooth program delivery.

• Coordinate multiple educational tracks and programs simultaneously, ensuring consistency, quality, and a positive experience for students, families, and faculty.

Administration 

• Oversee all educational programs for Kindergarten through 12th grade, ensuring engaging and high-quality learning experiences.

• Integrate social justice partnerships into education in collaboration with the Director of Social Justice & Family Engagement.

• Lead faculty professional development programs, including orientation, in-service, and ongoing education.

• Work with the Senior Director and appropriate staff to create and manage program calendars and work with the communications team to create communication materials and digital engagement strategies.

• Facilitate clear, consistent communication among staff, faculty, clergy, and parents to strengthen collaboration and engagement.

• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to develop and manage the CJL budget and grant applications.

Engagement & Education Team Members Share Responsibility For:

Leadership & Relationship Cultivation

• Communicate and interact regularly with other synagogue departments and a wide array of congregants to build relationships and engage individuals in congregational life and leadership responsibilities. 

• Coordinate with lay leaders, clergy, and staff to set goals in your areas of responsibility and translate them into action. 

• Help identify, engage, and cultivate the next generation of Temple leaders. 

Website & Communications

• Utilize Temple and community communication and marketing tools to maximize access to Temple programming, including coordination with partner organizations.

• Maintain engagement opportunities and other pertinent information on the Temple website.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for this position possesses the following competencies:

WHO YOU ARE

• You are an enthusiastic, thoughtful leader who builds authentic relationships with youth, parents, clergy, lay leaders, and colleagues across the congregation. 

• You are innovative and comfortable with change, eager to experiment with new educational models while reflecting on what works and refining your approach with intention. 

• You thrive as a collaborative partner, valuing shared leadership and working closely with staff and lay leaders to shape Jewish learning that is meaningful, engaging, and inclusive.

• You inspire and support a diverse community of learners, educators, and volunteers, fostering a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose. 

• Your confidence is rooted in clarity of vision rather than ego, and you are comfortable leading decisively within a collaborative, clergy‑ and lay‑led environment, honoring institutional culture, diverse perspectives, and shared ownership while moving the work forward.

Additional Qualifications 

• Good working knowledge of Jewish education, culture, traditions, and the unique needs of the Jewish community.

• Minimum of 5 years relevant leadership experience.

• Strong leadership, curriculum development, and programming skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and a significant budget.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $115,000-$145,000

Temple’s benefits are designed to support your health, well‑being, and peace of mind. Employees may choose from several medical plan options, with preventive care for you and your dependents covered in full.

Dental and vision care support everyday health needs, while Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts help manage medical and dependent care expenses using pre‑tax dollars.

Basic life and accidental death coverage are provided at no cost, with options to add voluntary coverage. Disability coverage is also available to help protect income should you need it.

Employees and their immediate family members additionally have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program, offering support for personal, family, and life challenges at no cost.

Together, these benefits reflect our commitment to caring for the whole person and supporting you and your loved ones.

TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS

If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. 

We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us by May.

Shanna Jadwin

Talent Consultant

sjadwin@drgtalent.com

Sarah Raful Whinston

Partner

swhinston@drgtalent.com

Submit an application HERE.