Coordinator of Jewish Life & Community Engagement

Summary of Position

Our Coordinator of Jewish Life & Community Engagement will support the spiritual, academic, cultural, and personal lives of students, faculty, and staff at Harvard-Westlake, especially Jewish students, faculty, and staff. They will also provide support to our Jewish student affinity groups, lead campus conversations on Judaism and Jewish life, contribute to interfaith dialogues, and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels an equal sense of belonging. The Coordinator of Jewish Life & Community Engagement will serve as an active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team and works on both the Middle and Upper School campuses.

Duties & Responsibilities include:

Student Support & Community Building:

• Serve as a trusted adult and advisor to Jewish students, supporting their identity development, well-being, and sense of belonging
• Provide mentorship and guidance to students from a range of Jewish backgrounds
• Co-support and co-advise Jewish student affinity spaces and clubs, including cultivating student leadership development
• Contribute to creating inclusive spaces that reflect the diversity of Jewish identities and experiences within the broader school community
• Advocate for students in academic and community settings as needed
• Support student-related concerns through collaboration with deans, honor boards, and concerned community reporting systems using culturally responsive and restorative practices

Faculty & Staff Engagement

• Support Jewish faculty and affinity spaces, including facilitating or advising the Jewish faculty affinity group
• Provide consultation to faculty and staff on culturally responsive practices related to Jewish identity and inclusion

Programming & Campus Engagement:

• Support the coordination and implementation of Jewish cultural and holiday programming, in collaboration with relevant campus partners
• Assist in planning and facilitating educational and community-building opportunities related to Jewish identity and experience
• Collaborate with the Chaplain, the Community and Belonging and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teams to support interfaith initiatives and broader community programming

Collaboration & Institutional Alignment:

• Work in close partnership with the Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging to assess needs and identify priorities for Jewish student life
• Partner with faculty and staff as appropriate to support student needs and community engagement
• Provide consultation and perspective, as appropriate, to support culturally responsive and inclusive practices related to Jewish identity

Community Connections (as time allows within the part-time scope):

• Support relationships with local and national organizations (University of Southern California Shoah Foundation, ConnectEd, Jewish Federation Los Angeles, etc.) and community partners to enhance student programming and learning opportunities
• Engage with families and alumni in collaboration with relevant school offices, as appropriate

Professional Expectations:

• Operate with transparency, professionalism, and strong alignment with supervisory guidance
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritize effectively within a part-time scope, maintaining focus on core responsibilities
• Contribute to an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of Jewish identities and experiences
• Other duties as determined in collaboration with and under the direction of the Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience, grounding, or coursework in Jewish education, counseling, or community engagement
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking and facilitation
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within an organizational structure, including collaborating across teams, communicating proactively, and aligning work with institutional priorities
• Ability to build trust with students and colleagues while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and role clarity
• Deep understanding of and respect for the diversity within Jewish traditions and the broader inter-religious landscape

Schedule & Commitment:

• 20 hours per week
• Attend certain Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office events as determined in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging

Compensation:

Anticipated hourly rate for this position is $30–$40 per hour, based on experience.

Harvard-Westlake School

We are an independent school consisting of two campuses located in Los Angeles, California. We have approximately 1,600 curious, thoughtful, and inspiring students enrolled in grades seven through twelve.

We are committed to creating a community of belonging and actively strive to be a diverse and inclusive community. We do not discriminate on any basis. We seek candidates who demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members; have the ability to work flexibly, independently, and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds; and have the capacity to serve as a model of openness, generosity, and acceptance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Harvard-Westlake School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.