Judaic Principal

Position Summary

Jean and Samuel Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (FJA) seeks a Judaic Principal to develop and implement innovative, and impactful models of Jewish education.

We are seeking candidates with school administrative experience as well as expertise in experiential Jewish learning and Jewish identity building. Extensive Jewish camp experience and programming is desired. The candidate will be a creative, energetic, dynamic, organized, and driven individual who will be responsible for overseeing and implementing all Jewish life and learning programming at FJA. 

The Judaic Principal will foster an intellectually open environment that is meaningful, appealing, and welcoming to a wide-range of Jewish families from diverse religious, educational, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Judaic Principal will work to create an atmosphere of Jewish celebration in FJA and form meaningful connections with students.   

The Judaic Principal will serve as a role model for students and others in Jewish knowledge, practice and behavior. He or she will seek to develop collaborative partnerships, meaningful relationships, and passionate commitment to the school’s mission and philosophy. The Judaic Principal will help articulate and implement a vision for Jewish Studies that is student centered, experiential, and engaging.

Jewish Studies Curriculum

The Judaic Principal will create an educational vision for Jewish Studies in consultation with the Head of School and in collaboration with the General Studies Principal and the Jewish Studies Department. The Judaic Principal is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the Jewish Studies program. This includes a curriculum for Jewish Studies that is responsive to the educational needs of the FJA community and is aligned with the FJA Mission and Philosophy. The Judaic Principal will be responsible for reviewing and revising the existing Jewish Studies curriculum as well as creating and implementing new courses, strengthening the religious and character development of our students through various curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular initiatives, and helping grow the school by creating pathways and programs for easy entry into the school by students with little, moderate, or advanced Jewish background. 

Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Judaic Activities

The Judaic Principal will see to the planning and implementation of creative and innovative programming to further the religious mission of FJA outside of the classroom. This includes planning, implementing, and staffing shabbatonim, holiday programming, day and extended field studies and service learning trips, and collaborating to develop cross-curricular Jewish content for trips. The Judaic Principal will, when necessary, act as an advisor to these programs (e.g. Moot Beit Din). 

General Administrative Responsibilities

The Judaic Principal will be a member of FJA’s administrative team. The Judaic Principal will work closely with the General Studies Principal in carrying out the daily academic operations of the school.  The Judaic Principal will be responsible for annual scheduling of Jewish Studies classes in collaboration with the General Studies Principal. These responsibilities include student evaluation and placement as well as interviewing candidates for admission to FJA. The Judaic Principal will be responsible for ensuring that all Jewish Studies teachers fulfill their professional responsibilities throughout the school year (e.g. parent communication, proper posting of grades) and check out properly at the end of the year. The Judaic Principal will oversee (with Department Chairs or Curricular Leaders) ordering books and other curricular materials, as well as manage inventorying and storage of textbooks and resource materials. 

Zman Kodesh

The Judaic Principal will provide oversight for all religious services at FJA including the curricular tefillah program and all co-curricular and extra-curricular religious services. The Judaic Principal is responsible for the review, design and implementation of the curricular Tefillah program. This includes the design of a 4-year curricular structure for daily prayer that will teach students practical liturgical skills and address diverse spiritual needs.

Israel and Zionism

The Judaic Principal will work with the Jewish Studies Department and the Coordinator of Student Life to ensure that the message of Zionism is disseminated in the FJA community. The Judaic Principal will ensure the functioning of Israel related clubs and the school’s Israel trip. The Judaic Principal will coordinate and staff the school’s Israel trip in collaboration with FJA’s Student Life Coordinator. The Judaic Principal will work with the College Counseling office to promote and advise students about Gap-Year programs in Israel including Yeshiva and Seminary studies. The Judaic Principal will assist the College Counseling office in running Gap-Year fairs and/or other promotional activities, and will assist the College Counseling office in arranging visits from Yeshivot, Seminaries, and other study programs. 

Teaching Responsibilities

The Judaic Principal duties may include part-time teaching responsibilities in Jewish Studies. In the case of a prolonged absence of a teacher, the Judaic Principal may be called upon to fill in for a given teacher in a particular class. The Judaic Principal is expected to have a continuous knowledge of the curriculum and class expectations of all Jewish Studies courses.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Judaic Principal will be responsible for managing, supervising, and evaluating all Jewish Studies Department Chairs and faculty including the following:

• Bible and Rabbinic Department Chair or Curricular Leaders and teachers
• Hebrew Department Chair and teachers
• Zman Kodesh Coordinator and teachers
• Coordinator of Student Life

Supervisory duties include goal setting and reviews of all Judaic Studies staff and faculty. The Judaic Principal is responsible for setting salaries for all aforementioned staff and faculty in conjunction with the COO and Head of School. The Judaic Principal will be expected to continually recruit new Judaic faculty by developing relationships with teacher education programs and career referral services. In the absence of a Department Chair (e.g. Bible Department chair) or equivalent managerial position in Judaics (e.g. Zman Kodesh coordinator), the Judaic Principal will be expected to fulfill the requisite managerial duties.

Responsibilities in the Detroit Jewish Community

The Judaic Principal will be called on to serve as an ambassador for FJA at recruitment events including actively recruiting students from local synagogues, day schools, camps, and youth groups.

Qualities and qualifications:

• Holds a Master's level or other advanced degree in education, Jewish education, or related field.
• Has a minimum of 3 years of school leadership and camp leadership experience.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of current instructional and learning practices.
• Possesses knowledge of Hebrew and broad and deep familiarity with jewish texts and scholarship.
• Refers to the mission, vision and philosophy in all decision making.
• Demonstrates leadership and supervision that is collaborative.
• Works well as a member of a team and seeks feedback from colleagues and constituents.
• Uses effective management techniques to support and guide effective goal setting and evaluation.
• Envisions clear, innovative and aspirational goals for teaching and learning, and is able to share those goals to motivate all constituents.
• Utilizes strong communication skills both written and verbally.
• Has the ability to be an active and attentive listener.
• Is highly organized and pays attention to detail.

Salary 

$95,000 - $110,000  

School Information

FJA is a rigorous college preparatory high school pursuing academic excellence and Jewish literacy.  The school draws its student body from diverse backgrounds to learn together in an open and tolerant environment that supports Jewish tradition, culture and religious practice. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and faiths.

FJA offers a warm and supportive working environment and competitive salary and benefits. It provides exceptional, nationally recognized support and mentoring for new teachers, as well as extensive professional development opportunities for all faculty. FJA is a professional learning community where all teachers are expected to be ongoing learners. FJA strongly supports the development and growth of each member of its professional teaching staff. From establishing standards and benchmarks, to coaching web literacy, to providing up-to-date technology to enhance the classroom experience, FJA is committed to hiring and retaining teachers suitable to its mission and to providing the necessary support so that honing one’s craft becomes an integral part of a teacher’s professional life.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your resume, cover letter and references to employment@frankelja.org. In the subject title, please write, “Judaic Principal.” You may also fax these forms to 248.592.0022.

Frankel Jewish Academy is a non-profit private secondary academy. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to the belief that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity.  Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation or pregnancy), disability, religion, national origin or genetic information.

To find out more about Frankel Jewish Academy, visit our website at www.frankelja.org.