Program Manager for Social Justice

Our Vision:

Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 3,000 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. It has long played a significant role in the national Reform movement and is known for its innovation and leadership in worship, leading to a greatly expanded audience over the last two decades.

Central Synagogue works toward a world in which Judaism is core to the lives of Central members and Jews everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity. Central continually redefines what it means to be Jewish today, both within the Synagogue community and far beyond the Synagogue’s walls. The diverse clergy and professional team work hard, in collaboration with lay leadership, to build deep and enduring relationships among Central members, creating a caring, dynamic, and joyful community.

Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. The Synagogue encourages participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of its sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Central is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community.

The Synagogue is well resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/.

Job Summary/Objective:

The Social Justice Program Manager will work closely with our Adult Engagement and Communications Teams to deepen, grow, and coordinate Central’s social justice advocacy initiatives, volunteer efforts, and learning programs. Primary responsibilities include: interfacing with congregants to coordinate and staff volunteer and advocacy projects, building and deepening relationships with justice-based and religious organizations around the city, planning and implementing volunteer activities and justice programs, and administrative support for Central’s Director of Social Justice Organizing and Education. The position requires efficiency and strong organizational and communication skills. Areas of work include: criminal Justice reform, re-entry after incarceration, immigration reform and refugee resettlement, climate justice, and food justice.

Reports To: Rabbi Hilly Haber, Rabbi and Director of Social Justice Organizing & Education

Department Hours: Full–time, exempt and not eligible for OT. General work hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm, Friday 9:00 – 4:30 pm, or equivalent with 3-4 evening programs per month, expected to work some of the High Holy Days. Hybrid Schedule: One day remote on Monday (there may be exceptions depending on the needs of the AE Department) and four days in the office. Central Synagogue employees are not eligible for fully remote work.

Date: March 2025

Essential Duties/Key Responsibilities:

Coordinating and Staffing Central Volunteer and Justice Initiatives:

• Collaborate with Rabbi Haber to support lay leaders who are guiding Central’s advocacy and service initiatives, including: support for refugee families and asylum seekers, Central’s Re-Entry programs, food service, and climate advocacy
• Provide administrative support and oversight for lay-led committees and initiatives, including: the Central Welcome Project, the Teshuvah Fellowship, Coming Home, etc.
• Measure and improve the volunteer experience of Central members

Building and Maintaining Relationships and Opportunities Around NYC

• Create new partnerships outside of Central to support community-led efforts
• Maintain relationships with existing partner organizations including Project Rousseau, the Center for Healing and Justice, CommonPoint Queens, etc.
• Engage Central members in the work of NYC organizations and coalitions
• Bring speakers and learning opportunities to Central

Project Support:

• Primary responsibility for day-to-day logistical and program support for Justice-based events and projects at Central
• Coordinate and manage ongoing volunteer opportunities for Central members
• Work with the Communications and Events Teams to advertise and plan events and programs at Central
• Collaborate with Rabbi Haber and assist with various programmatic tasks

Core Competencies:

• High degree of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism and reliability
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement independently and work autonomously
• Strong attention to detail and ability to execute
• Team player who builds strong, collaborative relationships
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written and communication skills
• High degree of enthusiasm, flexible attitude, open demeanor and geared to getting things done with efficiency
• Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and adapts to situations as they arise
• Professional demeanor and positive collaborative attitude
• Able to work well under pressure while maintaining a calm demeanor
• Ability to balance multiple projects at the same time
• Strong email and phone etiquette
• Ability to successfully manage communications with external stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Master’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience
• 3+ years relevant work experience preferred in a Jewish/faith based or non-profit social justice setting
• Working knowledge of NYC is desired but not required
• Experience in program creation and project management
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn about Judaism (holidays, values, etc.)
• Technology: High level of computer literacy required (we use Windows): proven ability to quickly learn new software. Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM and Microsoft Teams a plus. Knowledge of Zoom required. Tech support and training provided.
• Spanish language skills are desired but not necessary

“A Week in the Life of the Program Manager for Social Justice at Central”

Throughout the week, the Program Manager for Social Justice might:

• Accompany members for worship services on Rikers Island
• Serve an early morning breakfast alongside congregants to 200 of our neighbors
• Volunteer at shelters with volunteers helping children who are seeking asylum with their homework
• Attend our weekly “Coming Home” re-entry dinners
• Speak at a rally and/or arrange meetings with legislators
• Run programs and visit job sites for the summer Teshuvah Fellow along with the Teshuvah Fellowship Coordinator
• Meet Central members and organizational partners for coffee
• Build a program calendar and coordinate and attend internal meetings at Central
• Plan and Staff events (speakers, film screenings, volunteer trainings...) for the Central community and partner orgs
• Create and Maintain volunteer opportunities for Central members
• Administrative support for Rabbi Haber

Other Duties:

Please note, the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $70,000 to $85,000. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community. The salary is commensurate with experience based on several factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, areas of specialization and depth and scope of experience. The above salary range represents the Synagogue’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation range at the time of posting.