Jewish Student Advisor

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Religious and Spiritual Life

Job Description

Job Summary

Oversee Jewish Life on Campus, including advising Smith College Jewish Community organization, and preside over Jewish religious services. Collaborate with director and CRSL team to promote initiatives in the areas of interfaith collaboration, spiritual flourishing, religious literacy, contemplative practice, ethical reflection, reflective practices, and social justice. Implement a wide range of activities and educational opportunities for student religious practice and spiritual activities which promote well-being. Help students build essential capacities in alignment with Smith’s strategic plan, such as self-awareness and the ability to engage across difference.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Oversee Jewish Life

Provide spiritual counsel and religious guidance for all Jewish students of varying levels and types of observations of Judaism, and advise the Smith Jewish student organization. Oversee Kosher Dining and other aspects of adherence to Jewish law and ritual. Organize and lead weekly Shabbat prayers and of major Jewish holidays Help students navigate the challenge of being a targeted religious minority and provide education to wider community on combatting antisemitism. Consult to CRSL staff about issues of importance to the Jewish community, facilitate dialogue and interfaith engagement. Provide pastoral care to non-Jewish as well as Jewish students and help facilitate other CRSL Programs related to CRSL mission such as transformative justice and racial and social reparations. Collaborate with local community on programs related to Jewish life.

Provide outreach and spiritual care to Jewish students. Provide education and engagement opportunities to a wide range of religious orientations. Liase with faculty from the Religious and Jewish Studies Department as well as other departments when there are intersecting goals. Offer High Holiday and Shabbat services, liaise with orthodox and other branches of Judaism for students who may not participate in Jewish life at Smith. Oversee Kosher Kitchen and help supervise cooks, consult with dining Shabbat about kosher needs.

Supervise Smith Jewish organization

Advise “SCJC” the student Jewish organization; including helping with planning logistics, providing guidance in leadership formation, and helping oversee group process. Liase between CRSL leadership and organization about programming, collaborations and interfaith engagement. Attend weekly leadership meetings to provide guidance as needed, consult with group leadership. Organize all Shabbat services, lead at least a minimum of two services per month.           

Plan and preside over Jewish holidays as well as weekly Shabbat services

Plan and execute meaningful religious services for community. Provide spoken and sung offerings, offer inspiring Dvar Torah reflections. Collaborate with students and other stakeholders in determine service content.

Provide spiritual care to Jewish and non-Jewish students

Provide a welcoming and compassionate presence to students in individual and group settings. Offer spiritual guidance through a lens of equity and justice. Maintain regular appointments with students who request them and hold office hours for periodic consultations. Liase with other campus care providers as needed/ is appropriate. Help students explore Jewish identity, help potential converts though discernment process.

Other Functions

Collaborate with team members on all aspects of the CRSL mission and Participate in the planning and implementation of college-wide programming related to Diversity, Equity and inclusion. Other duties as assigned.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Master’s degree required or in process. Training in Jewish law, history and scripture required, as well as ability to serve as a cantor and lead others in singing. Must be able to lead Jewish religious services.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

Ordination preferred