Jewish Life Program Director and Jewish Chaplain

Bucknell University • Lewisburg, PA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Bucknell University seeks a vibrant, student-centered Rabbi to serve as Jewish Life Program Director and Jewish Chaplain who will inspire and guide the Jewish students, so that they will actively engage in the process of building and sustaining a vibrant, meaningful, and pluralistic Jewish campus community. Bucknell invites candidates who are forward-thinking and committed to strengthening the Jewish community on campus (where approximately 7% of the student body self-identified as Jewish).

Requirements

• Masters Degree and Rabbinic Ordination OR pathway to graduation by July 1, 2026.
• Rabbinic Ordination (or pathway to ordination by July 1, 2026); 1 Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and mentor students
• Strong knowledge of Judaism and Jewish life, and commitment to creating an inclusive, vibrant and pluralistic Jewish community
• Experience working with young adults in an educational or inter-religious setting
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships, and build consensus and support
• Ability to effectively interface with a wide variety of constituents including students, faculty, staff, prospective students and alumni
• Sensitivity to issues related to socioeconomic class, gender identity and expression, sexuality, race and ethnicity, privilege and power relationships, religious identity, and transitions to adulthood
• A passion for engaging students through Jewish learning and religious practice and an ability to foster intellectual, spiritual and ethical curiosity and exploration

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience in Jewish Life in Higher Education
• Student leadership applicable mentoring young adults via Jewish Programming, education, or experiential learning.
• Budget management
• Significant knowledge of special populations of college students
• Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to first generation, underrepresented, and marginalized student populations.

Responsibilities

• Oversees leadership of all Jewish services, activities, and holidays.
• Offers direct teaching on relevant and accessible Jewish learning as well as training and advising for student leadership of Bucknell Hillel (and other relevant student leaders).
• Offers a visible public presence, in particular through campus ceremonies, vigils, committee memberships, training, and public speaking, with students at the center of the work, but regularly serving faculty, staff, alumni, parents and prospective students.
• Collaborates on and leads Multi-Faith Initiatives with campus chaplains.
• Provides high-quality pastoral care and counseling.
• Oversees a generous programmatic endowment as well as the Berelson Center for Jewish Life - a community space on campus that offers a comfortable home for Jewish Life and Learning, including a Kosher kitchen.
• Supervisory responsibility providing day to day guidance, setting clear performance expectations, conducting regular performance evaluations, one-on-one meetings, and fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.

Benefits

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children.
• Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director