OPTJobPostings

Director of Programming and Member Engagement

Posted Date 2/26/2025
Newly Created Position 2025!
Reports to: Senior Rabbi
Location: Oak Park Temple, 1235 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
This full-time role, principally in-person, offers flexibility with occasional evenings, weekends, some Jewish holidays and Shabbatot, and some travel to other Chicago-area communities. 

We Are…

Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion (OPT) is a Reform Jewish congregation. We are committed to continually creating a warm, welcoming, and diverse community centered around Jewish worship, family, and lifelong learning. We promote the rights and well-being of Israel and all humanity. 

You are…. 

A creative, organized, personable leader.  You’ll work collaboratively as a member of the synagogue leadership team. 

A “people person” who gets to know Oak Park Temple members.  You’ll bring members closer to each other and the community. 

What You’ll Do

This is your chance to take on a dynamic, hands-on role in shaping the future of our community.  As the Director of Programming and Member Engagement, you’ll have the opportunity to create – and help others create - engaging programs that resonate with people, build relationships, and make OPT a place where everyone feels welcome. 

• Be the Connector: Build authentic relationships with members and deepen their sense of community. Engage with them at services, events, and informal gatherings to make meaningful connections with and among members. Co-lead the Adult Education Committee with the lay chairperson.
• Create Meaningful and Engaging Programs: Design events and activities that meet the needs of our diverse congregation. Engage members intellectually, spiritually, and socially. Support members, partner with speakers, organizations, OPT committees, clergy, and leadership to develop and coordinate well-attended programs.  Help bring their ideas to fruition through high-quality logistical support, marketing, outreach, social media strategies. From thought-provoking learning experiences to social events, your creativity will bring our community together in new ways and help deepen connections with U.S. and global Jewish life.  
• Evaluate the effectiveness of programming. Assess and summarize program effectiveness and member feedback for professional staff and lay leadership. 
• Manage the OPT programming portfolio and calendar; in coordination with professional staff and other leaders. Manage event and program revenue and expenses as requested.  
• Help our members engage with OPT and each other: Work with new and long-time members, young families and retirees and everyone in between, interfaith and diverse households to help them find their place at OPT. You’ll collaborate with clergy, staff, and members to create opportunities for involvement, connection, and growth, such as New Member Shabbats, social programming, small-group (e.g., Havurot) opportunities for member sub-groups with common interests and characteristics, and volunteer opportunities.
• Help Oak Park Temple Grow: You will collaborate with synagogue leaders (especially professional staff, Membership Vice President, Board Members, and Committee leaders) to develop and implement new member recruitment, proactive outreach, and marketing strategies, with activities at Oak Park Temple and neighboring communities such as the Western Suburbs (Naperville, Hinsdale, etc.) and the Northwest side of Chicago (Logan Square, Portage Park, etc.).
• Track Trends & Innovate: Stay on top of the latest trends in Jewish programming and member engagement. We want someone who’s excited to bring fresh ideas that inspire and innovate.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience & Passion: 3-5 years of experience in programming, event planning, or community engagement. Relevant educational background (master’s desirable). You love working with people and have a genuine passion for connecting with others. You bring us your warmth, maturity, responsibility, energy, creativity, integrity, passion and enthusiasm, and a sense of humor
• Leadership & Collaboration: You know how to lead, inspire, and collaborate with others—whether it’s a committee, team, or individual members. Demonstrated ease and effectiveness working with diverse age and gender constituencies. Cultural competence with LGBTQ+ communities, Jews of Color, people with disabilities, and other diverse identities within the Jewish community 
• Builder: You know how to manage a project to a successful outcome, you can manage multiple programs, set priorities, work independently, meet deadlines, follow-through and adapt. You know how to improve processes and systems.
• Tech-Savvy: You’re comfortable with digital tools like ShulCloud, Zoom, Google Suite, social media, website design, on-location and remote AV, and more.
• Cultural Competence: You embrace diversity and understand the unique needs of different communities within the Jewish world.
• Strategic Thinker: You think big picture, while still keeping your eye on the details to ensure everything runs smoothly.  You understand synagogue life and organizational systems, and can work with committees and a Board.
• Jewish Professional: Knowledge and background in Judaism (preferably including exposure to the history, principles, practice, and current issues of Reform Judaism)
• Engaging Communicator: Whether in person, online, or in writing, you know how to communicate clearly and warmly.

Why Oak Park Temple?

• A nurturing, thoughtful, supportive environment where your ideas are valued.
• The opportunity to make a real impact in a growing and vibrant Jewish community.
• Be part of a team that’s all about innovation, creativity, learning, and making meaningful connections.
• Located in a vibrant, diverse community conveniently located just outside Chicago, with great access to food, entertainment, culture, transportation, natural resources, friendly neighborhoods, and more. Check us out at oakparktemple.org.

Are you ready to help shape the future of Oak Park Temple and help create a community where everyone feels seen and valued? 

Apply now and help us bring this vision to life. Send your resume and cover letter to engagementsearch@oakparktemple.org.

STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT AND POLICY PROHIBITING HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE

Consistent with our Mission, the Congregation is an equal opportunity employer. The Congregation will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, military status, marital status, physical and mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of the Congregation that certain positions must be filled by persons of the Jewish faith as a bona fide occupational qualification. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. All employees, regardless of position, are expected to maintain and contribute to this policy.