Job Description

Who We Are:

NCSY, a program of the Orthodox Union, connects with Jewish teens through innovative, cutting-edge social and recreational programs to develop a positive Jewish identity. NCSY inspires Jewish teens through informal Jewish education, retreats, and summer programs. NCSY empowers teens through leadership development and guidance to become passionately committed leaders of the Jewish community and instruments for positive change and renewal.

A JSU Club is a school-based Jewish student group run by NCSY’s Jewish Student Union (JSU), providing Jewish teens in public and non-Jewish private high schools with meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and build community. Through engaging discussions, social activities, leadership development, and Jewish experiences, JSU clubs foster identity, belonging, and pride in a warm and inclusive environment

The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled U symbol, Ⓤ, is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products.

A thriving and growing youth organization, in partnership with an expanding congregation, is seeking a full-time professional to serve as the Southern Central New Jersey JSU Directorand Director of Youth & Family Engagement at Congregation B’nai Israel. This joint position focuses on teen recruitment, programming, mentorship, and community development, helping grow JSU’s regional presence while strengthening youth and family engagement within the synagogue.

Qualified candidates will have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, experience in teen engagement, developing creative programming, and successfully implementing it within the broader Jewish community. Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will reside in Manalapan and become an active presence within both the synagogue and the regional Jewish teen community.

Responsibilities:

Clubs & School Engagement

• Launch and/or lead JSU clubs across multiple public and secular high schools
• Deliver relevant, thought-provoking Jewish content that sparks curiosity and conversation
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school staff to ensure long-term access and impact
• Partner with regional and national teams to identify and pursue strategic expansion opportunities
• Create and lead JSU clubs and out-of-school programming for teens across 6–10 public schools
• Further levels of teen involvement among JSUers and prospects through regular correspondence and contact in person, by phone, or social media, independently and in conjunction with regional and advisory staff

Teen Engagement & Relationship-Building

• Build safe, healthy, trusting, ongoing relationships with Jewish teens from diverse backgrounds
• Serve as a role model through authentic, Torah-driven mentorship
• Facilitate Jewish learning that sparks identity exploration and personal growth
• Facilitate and engage teens through existing JSU programs including FNLs, Latte and Learning, Ice Cream Chills, Israel advocacy and social action programming, Shabbat meals and Onegs, Teen Shiurim, and other community-wide social events
• Coordinate Shabbat and Yom Tov hospitality in Manalapan, creating opportunities for teens to engage in meaningful Jewish experiences
• Work with the JSU team and local community to create an annual programming plan for unaffiliated teens in the Manalapan area
• Actively participate in planning and programming aspects of regional Shabbatonim and events
• Manage all aspects of teen relationships, including cultivation, social engagement, mentoring, and stewarding growth
• Cultivate relationships with parents of participating teens
• Cultivate partnerships and coordinate programs with local shuls, schools, Jewish Federation, and other Jewish organizations
• Work closely with local and regional staff to implement programming and contribute to a positive working environment
• Engage and oversee volunteer advisors and student mentors

Leadership Development & Recruitment

• Coach student leaders and empower them to run impactful JSU clubs
• Recruit and participate in immersive experiences such as Shabbatons, NCSY and JSU summer programs (especially TJJ), JSU trips, and gap-year opportunities in Israel
• Participate in weekly meetings and assist in planning and coordinating regional programming and events as a member of the NJ JSU team
• Actively participate in staff training and professional development
• Manage program budgets and engagement data

Presence in Shul

• Serve as a welcoming presence in shul on Shabbat, Yom Tov, and weekends
• Build relationships with a diverse congregation
• Offer occasional Divrei Torah to the congregation
• Promote ruach and engagement in shul life
• Support the success of our minyanim

Religious Services

• Help create a meaningful and inspiring davening experience for a diverse congregation
• Collaborate on planning and coordinating services
• Lead and support various aspects of synagogue services

Youth Director / Family Educator

• Lead programs for families with children on Shabbat and Chagim
• Lead youth programs at shul events
• Organize youth and family programming during the High Holidays
• Engage and recruit participants

Community Development

• Demonstrate passion for our mission of building community
• Serve as a positive example of a Torah-observant individual or family
• Host Shabbat meals and welcome guests
• Teach Torah in small groups, classes, or informal settings
• Act as an ambassador for our community

Salary & Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $100,000, commensurate with experience.

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance:
The OU offers health insurance through an Individual Coverage HealthReimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). Instead of a single group plan, employees have the freedom to choose their own health insurance plan that fits their personal and family needs. The OU contributes a generous monthly amount directly toward your premium, making coverage more flexible, affordable, and tailored to you.

Employees enrolled in our health plan also receive an annualBeniCompstipend, a supplemental benefit that reimburses eligible medical, pharmaceutical, dental, and vision expenses.

In addition, the OU offers employees group dental and vision insurance through MetLife.

Additional Benefits and Perks:

• 10 paid sick days
• 10-15 paid vacation days
• Paid Jewish and Federal holidays
• Short Fridays to accommodate for Sabbath observance
• Free life and disability insurance
• Discounted continuing education opportunities
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after 3 years (requires a minimum 2% employee contribution)