What are the responsibilities and job description for the Religious School Principal position at Temple Solel?
About the Organization
Temple Solel is a Reform Jewish congregation located in Bowie, Maryland. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community rooted in Jewish learning, worship, and acts of loving kindness. Our Religious School serves families across Prince Georges County, Anne Arundel County, and adjacent communities and plays a central role in congregational life.
Position Summary
Temple Solel seeks a qualified and experienced Religious School Principal to provide strategic and operational leadership for our Religious School program. The Principal will be responsible for curriculum development and management, volunteer teacher recruitment and supervision, scheduling, budget oversight, and program administration. This is a part-time position with primary on-site hours on Sundays, one Friday evening per month, and religious holidays including High Holy Days. Additional off-site hours will be dedicated to curriculum planning, teacher recruitment, and administrative functions. This position reports to the Temple Board of Trustees through the Education Committee Chair and Temple President.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and evaluate Religious School curriculum aligned with congregational mission and educational best practices
- Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate volunteer teaching staff
- Manage the Religious School operating budget, academic calendar, and class schedules, including resource allocation and expense tracking
- Work extensively with the Rabbi to coordinate and deliver B’nai Mitzvah preparation programming, ensuring student readiness and family engagement
- Coordinate Hebrew language instruction utilizing proficiency-based progression models
- Integrate Social Action (Tikkun Olam) and Ritual programming into the educational framework
- Collaborate with clergy, lay leadership, and committee chairs to align school programming with broader congregational goals
- Develop and maintain family engagement and communication strategies
- Establish and track measurable outcomes including enrollment, retention, B’nai Mitzvah readiness, and family satisfaction
- Foster intergenerational and peer-mentoring learning opportunities
- Ensure compliance with all applicable organizational policies and procedures
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a leadership role within a Jewish educational setting
- Demonstrated knowledge of Jewish texts, traditions, liturgy, and lifecycle events
- Experience supervising, mentoring, and evaluating educational staff
- Strong organizational, administrative, and budget management skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with clergy, lay leaders, parents, and students
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities within a part-time schedule
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or graduate coursework in Jewish Education, Educational Leadership, Child Development, or a related field
- Experience designing or implementing multi-age classrooms, individualized learning models, or alternative pedagogical approaches
- Hebrew language proficiency sufficient for prayer instruction and basic curricular needs
- Demonstrated track record of building new programs, curricula, or educational initiatives
- Familiarity with Reform Jewish movement practices and Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) educational frameworks
Pay: $30,000.00 - $33,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Salary : $30,000 - $33,000