Overview
About Brooklyn Heights Synagogue:
BHS is a dynamic, inclusive, and growing Reform Jewish Community serving the downtown Brooklyn area made up of nearly 500 member units. We value the diverse ways in which our members express their Jewish identities as we maintain an abiding respect for the traditions of the Jewish people. Its staff is committed to the Synagogue’s vision and works collaboratively in a warm and supportive environment and we are proud of our highly respected and talented Clergy. Commuting to Brooklyn Heights Synagogue is easy via most subway lines in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Clergy Executive Assistant is a full-time in-person position. The position provides key administrative and operational support to the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Clergy team (Senior Rabbi, Associate Rabbi, and Cantor). This position provides substantial congregation relational management, maintaining the Clergy and tutoring schedules; interacting with and assisting families through life-cycle events; provides logistical support to clergy-led instructional and worship programs; supports Senior Rabbi in programming and administration of Adult Education.
SUPERVISION AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
The Senior Rabbi is the immediate supervisor who is responsible for daily supervision as well as periodic performance evaluation. This position reports to the Senior Rabbi, the Cantor and to the Associate Rabbi of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
• Superior organizational and judgement skills in response to continuous multi-tasking.
• A keen eye for detail and accuracy while working quickly and efficiently.
• The ability to manage multiple tasks daily in a fast-paced work environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and time constraints.
• Sincere member-oriented orientation.
• Maintain utmost confidentiality in matters personal and professional.
• Able to communicate with congregants with sensitivity and discretion.
• Ability to effectively work in a team environment with clergy and other staff members.
• Strong, demonstrated technical skills in office software applications, including MS Suite, Google Docs, email marketing, and ability to quickly learn synagogue-specific management software (ShulCloud) for use in member data management and fundraising.
• Prior experience in a house of worship would be helpful but not essential. To be a successful candidate one should be willing to learn salient details about Jewish life and religious practice.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Providing principle administrative support to Clergy (Senior Rabbi, Associate Rabbi and Cantor) for all aspects of their duties including but not limited to: composing letters, overseeing set-up with Facilities staff for clergy led services and classes, maintaining and updating the schedule for clergy led classes and adult ed programming, ordering supplies and catering for clergy led services and adult ed programming, managing clergy visitors, and acting as gatekeeper for all member and non-member interactions with clergy including via e-mail, phone, and physically in the clergy suite.
• Management of tutoring and related schedules for B’mitzvah students and families, including use of scheduling software (Squarespace), tracking student appointments, and assisting parents with their child’s appointments.
• Updating member and clergy-led event details in Shulcloud (member management software) and the synagogue calendar and keeping communication flowing about members between clergy and relevant staff.
• Life Cycle event coordination, scheduling and communications with members, Clergy, and the Director of Membership Engagement and Programming.
• Communicating with families in mourning to produce Sad News e-mail Notices and coordination of clergy assistance with funeral and shiva arrangements.
• Craft and send communications that relate to religious services and clergy programming.
• Monitor all BHS website content and update main office with all necessary details to keep worship and lifecycle information up to date.
• Coordinate member needs with the Membership Director including but not limited to: ordering and installing of all memorial plaques and celebration (simchah) leaves, communication of logistical facets of life cycle events for members.
• Administration of conference, seminar, and professional development for the Clergy.
In addition, the Clergy Assistant will be expected to serve within the life cycle staff rotation for Friday evening services and Saturday morning B’mitzvah services (with additional compensation), as well as be present on the religious Holy Days throughout the year, providing on-site administrative assistance and troubleshooting as needed.