Dean Of Jewish Life & Studies

Davis Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Davis School Chicago is hiring a full-time founding Dean of Jewish Life & Studies to shape and lead the school’s vision for Jewish learning, identity development, and community engagement. The school is a Jewish college-preparatory high school opening in downtown Chicago in fall 2027. Reporting to the Principal and serving on the senior leadership team, the Dean will establish the frameworks, rituals, traditions, and cultural touchpoints that define Jewish life at the school. The role is described as closer to a campus minister than a department chair: it includes daily presence, teaching, communal ritual life, retreats, service programming, and development of the adult Jewish culture of the school. The Dean will oversee Jewish Studies curriculum and instruction, experiential education, student leadership development, Israel education, community partnerships, holiday and ritual programming, and faculty development. The position combines strategic leadership and program design with direct teaching of Jewish Studies across multiple levels in grades 9–12. The Dean will help build an environment in which students develop intellectual curiosity, moral courage, spiritual grounding, belonging, leadership, and a lasting connection to Jewish learning and community. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of successful secondary teaching or schoolwide leadership experience. A master’s degree or M.Div. in a relevant field, Hebrew proficiency, and high school teaching experience are preferred. Jewish day, Jewish communal, or faith-based education experience is a plus. Being Jewish is not required, but deep appreciation for and understanding of key Jewish traditions and rituals is critical; rabbinic ordination is welcome but not required. The anticipated annual salary range is $77,543–$137,099, plus a leadership differential of $4,000–$8,000 determined by leadership experience. The position is eligible for paid time off, holiday pay, medical insurance, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 3 years of successful secondary (grades 6–12) teaching or schoolwide leadership experience required.
Some form of leadership experience required.
Deep appreciation for and understanding of key Jewish traditions and rituals; being Jewish is not required.
Ability to build Jewish learning and community experiences that are memorable.
Mastery of the relevant craft and fit with the school’s mission are emphasized over credentials or years of experience.
Rabbinic ordination is not required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or M.Div. in Jewish Education, Judaic Studies, Jewish Leadership, Education, Spirituality, Theology, Youth Leadership Development, or a related field.
Hebrew proficiency.
High school (grades 9–12) experience.
Progressively responsible leadership in Jewish educational or communal settings.
Leadership experience as a Jewish student center leader, campus minister, experiential program director, Judaics department leader, administrator, or instructional leader.
Experience in Jewish day school, Jewish high school, Jewish communal, or faith-based education.
Rabbinic ordination.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a vision for Jewish life and learning aligned with the school’s mission and values.
Serve on the senior leadership team and partner with school leaders on strategic planning, enrollment growth, student engagement, and community-building.
Establish the founding school community’s traditions, rituals, cultural norms, and Jewish touchpoints; integrate Jewish values throughout the student experience.
Set measurable outcomes for Jewish learning, identity development, leadership, and belonging, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs.
Design and oversee Jewish life programming that promotes belonging, engagement, leadership, and community.
Lead school-wide Jewish programming, celebrations, holiday observances, tefillah, and other educational experiences, partnering with a rabbi for davening as appropriate.
Recruit, train, coach, and develop students to lead tefillah, learning, Shabbatonim, chesed, and other programs, and give them increasing responsibility.
Partner with students to develop programming that reflects their interests, identities, and aspirations, while fostering an inclusive environment for diverse Jewish backgrounds and experiences.
Design and lead retreats for students and faculty, and oversee programming that may take place during evenings, Shabbatonim, and chagim.
Own the school’s service program as an expression of Jewish life.
Manage departmental budgets and allocated resources and ensure effective planning and execution of Jewish life initiatives.
Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing refinement of the Jewish Studies curriculum.
Teach Jewish Studies across multiple levels in grades 9–12.
As the school grows, hire, supervise, and evaluate Jewish Studies faculty; provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
Develop engaging approaches to teaching Jewish texts, history, ethics, philosophy, and contemporary Jewish issues, including interdisciplinary learning and differentiated instruction.
Integrate Israeli culture, literature, history, current events, and contemporary topics into instruction, using educational technology and innovative teaching methods.
Assess student progress with formative and summative measures and provide timely, meaningful feedback.
Develop partnerships with universities, research institutions, Jewish organizations, cultural institutions, and industry partners, and create signature educational experiences.
Represent and promote Jewish Studies within the school and broader community; showcase student work through competitions, presentations, exhibitions, and public events.
Promote inquiry-based learning, analytical writing, discussion, research, project-based work, and immersive approaches such as simulation, role-play, and performance when appropriate.
Provide strategic leadership for Israel education and global Jewish engagement.
Develop programming on Israel’s history, culture, society, and contemporary issues; organize immersive experiences and student and staff travel to Israel.
Establish partnerships with Israeli educational institutions and Jewish organizations where appropriate, and help students engage thoughtfully and respectfully with complex Israel-related and global Jewish issues.
Serve as a visible ambassador for Jewish life and build partnerships with families to support students’ Jewish growth and development.
Cultivate relationships with synagogues, camps, community organizations, educational institutions, and philanthropic partners; represent the school in Jewish and educational communities.