Director of Jewish Life

Director of Jewish Life
Summer 2022

Background: The URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp is a residential, Jewish summer camp located in Utica, MS that serves campers ages 7-16. Jacobs Camp is the Reform Jewish Movement’s summer camp serving the Deep South: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Central & Western Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle. Since 1970, Jacobs has provided a caring Jewish community that has become a second home to many. Children from URJ congregations across the Deep South join together each summer to experience the fun and magic of Jewish camping.

Mission of Henry S. Jacobs Camp The mission of the URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp is to provide a high-quality Reform Jewish camping experience to the children of Southern Jewish communities that enriches and enhances their lives spiritually, intellectually, and physically in a safe and friendly family environment. Jacobs Camp seeks to fulfill its mission through a commitment to:

  • Teaching Jewish values and instilling pride in our shared Jewish heritage.
  • Providing an around-the-clock experience in Jewish living.
  • Encouraging life-long friendship and relationships.
  • Promoting healthy development of personal character.
  • Enhancing Jewish living skills in an environment of high quality program, staff & facilities.
  • Providing numerous positive adult Jewish role models.
  • Deepening connections to Israel and the Hebrew language.
  • Receiving active support and participation from all of our stakeholders.
  • Reaching the broadest number of children possible.
  • Serving families with roots in the South and connections to Jacobs Camp.
  • Creating, every summer, “A Jewish Place at a Southern Pace.”

Responsibilities:

  • Attend meetings as member of camp’s Leadership Team. Help formulate and implement policy. Prepare and submit required materials.
  • Lead values-based programming for campers aged 7-15
  • Collaborate with staff, campers, and faculty to design age appropriate weeknight and Shabbat services
  • Supervise Song Leader’s schedule
  • Directly responsible for consistently having department’s program supply requisitions turned in on time.
  • Whenever possible, incorporate department staff members in program planning and leadership.
  • Create schedules for visiting faculty including rabbis, cantors, and other lay leaders to participate in camp life. Lead nightly meetings with visiting faculty.
  • Act as role model for department staff. Be a ”counselor’s counselor”, assisting Jewish Life staff with problems and questions.
  • Regularly evaluate the performance of Jewish Life staff members, following the set guidelines.
  • Act on behalf of the Jewish Life department on issues involving the camp community.
  • Run Jewish Life department staff meetings.
  • Serve as next step after counselors/specialists in camper behavior modification.
  • Be directly involved with all campers and staff in the Jewish Life department. Communicate with the Camp Director and Assistant Director on key matters.

Qualifications:

  • Strong administrative and organizational skills.
  • Desire and ability to work with children and adults in a camp setting.
  • Ability to creatively plan & schedule programs and activities, and to maximize the skills & talents of staff members.
  • Ability to give & take constructive criticism.
  • Must be self-starter and able to work without constant supervision. Must have leadership skills, ability to motivate, manage, and counsel.

 

This position is seasonal from May 31-August 3, 2022.