The Educator in Residence is a dynamic and inspiring educational leader and community builder who plays a central role in enriching learners’ experience and advancing Melton’s educational vision through strategic collaboration and content development across the organization. While the position reports directly to the Senior Director of Programs, the Educator in Residence collaborates across the organization, including with the Executive Director and International Director.
Specifically, the Educator in Residence is responsible for:
Program Leadership of Meetinghouse
Meetinghouse is a new concept by the Melton School for Adult Jewish Learning, specifically for Jewish adults ages 30-59, who want to start or continue a Jewish learning journey while building connection and community with their peers. Meetinghouse is built around thematic kits – with everything a person needs to host a series of peer-led conversations, centered around a common theme we experience in our day-to-day lives and rooted in Jewish text.
- Serve as lead staff for Meetinghouse as it fully launches in small groups across North America over the coming year
- Recruit, train, and coach Meetinghouse facilitators and professionals bringing Meetinghouse to their community
- Support the expansion of the initiative by designing new kits, building partnerships, and implementing marketing strategies.
- Ongoing evaluation, including managing grant-based research and reporting
Designing and Directing Melton’s Conference of Learners
- Lead the development of the educational vision, theme, and content for Melton’s biennial Conference of Learners
- Serve as the primary professional partner to the lay committee, clearly defining roles and providing guidance and support throughout the planning process.
- Oversee all educational components during the Conference, ensuring smooth coordination and seamless integration with event operations.
Developing and Leading New Educational Programs and Initiatives
- Oversee the expansion of What’s Mine Is Yours (Melton learning designed for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities), including supervision of consultants and/or staff coordinator
- Design and launch new learning experiences (beyond Meetinghouse) tailored to the needs and interests of the Gen X demographic, expanding Melton’s reach and relevance.
- Research, conceptualize, and develop innovative educational projects that diversify and deepen Melton’s program offerings.
Curriculum & Content Development
- Develop timely, relevant lessons that address current issues and can be widely shared with partner communities and beyond.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to create educational content for social media, digital ads, holiday messages, and Melton’s newsletter.
Providing Internal & Partnership Expertise and Collaboration
- Serve as a content expert and thought partner to Melton staff, especially the Director of Online Learning, offering guidance on adult Jewish learning and educational best practices.
- Develop and teach courses online through the Melton+ platform
- Collaborate across teams on a range of educational initiatives and special projects.
- Support the International Director in designing and delivering impactful professional development workshops for Melton faculty, with a focus on innovative pedagogy, adult learning strategies, and educational technology.
- Cultivate a strong faculty community, helping to foster a collaborative environment and deepen educators’ connection and commitment to Melton’s mission.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and qualifications:
- Deep-rooted Jewish Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of Jewish texts, history, and tradition, with a passion for ongoing personal and professional learning. Ideally, the candidate has pursued advanced academic study in Jewish Studies or received rabbinical ordination.
- Pedagogical Expertise: At least 5–10 years of demonstrated success in effectively teaching and engaging adult learners.
- Commitment to Pluralism: Strong commitment to presenting diverse viewpoints with intellectual honesty and respect, grounded in deep familiarity with the Jewish educational landscape in North America.
- Facilitation & Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills with experience in facilitation, coaching, and supporting peer educators or lay leaders.
- Program Development & Community Engagement: Experience in designing, managing, and scaling creative Jewish educational programs. Skilled in cultivating partnerships and building relationships with learners. Familiarity with data collection, program evaluation, and grant reporting processes.
- Curriculum Design: Proven ability to develop innovative, text-based curricula that explore a range of perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue.
- Organizational Strength: Excellent time management, multitasking, and project management skills.
- Technology Proficiency: Comfortable using educational technology tools and platforms to support learning and collaboration.
- Adaptability: Able to adjust to shifting priorities and evolving program needs with flexibility and resilience.
The Educator in Residence is designed as a full-time exempt position. Hires within the NY Metro area will follow a hybrid model, working from the office twice a week. Hires outside the New York area will be fully remote, with occasional travel to the New York office or elsewhere in the U.S. The salary range is $80k-$100k and will be commensurate with experience.
Benefits/Perks:
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic Jewish educational environment.
- Make a significant impact on the lives of adult learners.
- Be part of a supportive and collaborative team.
- Generous Paid Time Off, including most major Federal and all Jewish holidays
- Early closure for Shabbat
- Medical insurance
- 403(b) participation, after six months of employment
Applicants, please submit a cover letter and resume to Paulina Carey at [email protected]. Please include your name and “Educator in Residence” in the subject line.
About Melton:
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning engages adult learners in a life-enhancing study of Jewish texts and ideas that nurtures and deepens Jewish community worldwide. Through classes (both in-person and online) and travel seminars, Melton learners find Jewish texts and ideas accessible and relevant to their lives.
Melton is the largest pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the world, with over 40 Melton communities throughout the United States, Canada, and South Africa. More than 50,000 learners have experienced Melton’s professionally developed curriculum and lively, interactive classes.
Inventor and activist Florence Zacks Melton z”l (1911-2007) envisioned The Florence Melton Institute in 1986 as a project of the Melton Centre at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Melton attributes its values of accessibility, intellectual honesty, relevancy, and connection to her enduring vision.
Melton’s main offices are in Jerusalem and New York City. Our team culture is collaborative, dedicated, flexible, thoughtful, fun, and mission-driven.