Executive Director

Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks, PA 

 

The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks is seeking a visionary, hands-on leader who will work collaboratively with all facets of the Jewish community and the community at large as Executive Director. 

The ideal candidate has previous executive leadership experience and is committed to furthering our mission of serving the needs of the Jewish community locally and throughout the world. Our Federation Executive Director collaborates with our local synagogue leadership to advance the interests of the entire Jewish community.   

 

About The Community: 

The Federation is at the center of a small, but very active and dedicated Jewish community. There are three synagogues representing the major branches of the Jewish faith. As Executive Director of our Federation, you’ll be supported by a warm, welcoming staff and community where you’ll be empowered to create your own legacy while building on the strengths and rich history of our treasured organization.  

Our Jewish Cultural Center presents a wide variety of activities, programs and exhibits, which attract a large audience. For example, our special exhibition last year of the “Violins of Hope” included more than 40 different presentations to sizeable audiences, both Jewish and the general public.  

Berks County is a very attractive place to live and raise a family. It is home to five colleges and a medical school. In addition to excellent public schools, it is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. Hiking and mountain biking opportunities are nearby, including a section of the Appalachian Trial, the Thun Trail, Blue Marsh recreation area and the Wyomissing Park System. The region is home to a plethora of public golf courses, as well as a number of lakes and rivers.  

Like music, the arts and drama? Here you can enjoy the Reading Symphony, the Santander Performing Arts Center, the Miller Center for the Arts, and the Genesius Theatre. Reading is also home to the acclaimed GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, as well as the two-week long, world-renowned Berks Jazz Fest. Or, if you prefer the big city, Philadelphia is only one hour away, New York is two-and-a-half hours, and Washington D.C. is three hours.  

Reading and Berks County are also home to an almost unlimited variety of great restaurants and cuisines. You can also indulge in locally grown produce and ethnic foods year-round at any of our popular farmers markets. 

Finally, housing and cost of living is affordable. You’ll find options for every lifestyle, from charming urban homes in the Centre Park Historic District and well-kept condominium communities, to houses in upscale established neighborhoods, the suburbs and rural areas. 

 

 

Executive Director’s Responsibilities 

 

Board Development

• Work effectively with the Board and its committees to maximize their efforts.  Ensure that meetings are properly arranged, organized, and conducted productively. Work with leadership to develop the skills and knowledge required to build agreement on issues. 

• Serve as professional advisor and resource to the Board in all areas of program, finance, and agency policy and governance. 

• Cultivate, recruit, and maintain effective placement of, and relationships with, top lay leadership and leadership prospects. 

• Work with JFR Board and Executive committee to regularly review and revise JFR Strategic plan. 

Fundraising 

• Lead the professional team responsible for planning financial resource development for the Federation, particularly the development of strong relationships between the Federation and its major supporters. 

• Be personally active with the major donors and solicit major contributors to the Federation.  Motivate and train both lay and professionals in their fundraising efforts. 

• Planning and executing events including Major Gifts and fundraising and awareness events.  

• Maintain planned giving program consulting with Board and estate planning attorneys/professionals.  

Finance 

• Supervise financial operations for the Federation. Work closely with the volunteer leadership and staff responsible for finance and administration.  Regularly evaluate the management and statues of the agency’s financial resources and procedures. 

• Developing the Federation’s annual budget for JFR Finance Committee and Board approval. 

• Work with volunteer and professional leaders on the relationship between the Federation and its agencies.       

• Work with JFS to submit annual United Way grant request. 

• Maintain endowment fund account balances. 

General Management 

• Oversee the work of the staff to enhance the operation of the Federation. 

• Oversee the work of the Lakin Preschool (CLOSING June 30, 2025.) 

• Develop annual budget and monitor financial performance. 

• Conduct facilities management and customer service of the Jewish Cultural Center, including development of membership and alternative funding streams (i.e., grants, fee-based services, and programs).  In additions, youth group and family program development. 

• Monitor programs, activities, and issues of other Jewish communities. 

• Recruit, train, motivate, evaluate, and supervise a staff that can effectively carry out the primary and secondary functions of the Federation. 

• Ensure that the Federation’s message and positions are effectively developed and disseminated to the Jewish and general community. 

• Write and collect articles for Shalom Newspaper.

• Serve as one of the primary representatives and spokespersons for the Federation throughout the community, with private and public funders and with national and international Jewish organizations, partners, and beneficiaries. 

• Lead collaboration efforts with synagogues, United Way projects, the interfaith community and general community. 

• Attend conferences and maintain collaborative relationships with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and AIPAC. 
• Exert best efforts to fulfill the mission of the Federation
• To further the welfare of the Jewish community; to plan for the philanthropic, physical, social, cultural and educational advancement of the Jewish community; and to foster cooperation among local Jewish organizations directed toward that end. 

Qualifications: 

• B.A. or B.S. with advanced degree/certification in Business, Public Administration, Jewish Communal Services, Non-Profit Management, or other appropriate fields is preferred 

• Knowledge, understanding, and participation in Jewish traditions and culture

• Professional experience in a Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center, or related fields

• Significant leadership experience is preferred

The Jewish Federation of Reading/Berks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Compensation: $110K+