Manager, Israel Engagement and ShinShinim Program #204

About the Employer

At UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, our vision is to lead the most vibrant Jewish community in North America—a community characterized by its diversity, unity, compassion, generosity, and commitment to Jewish values. Together with our philanthropic, volunteer and professional leadership, we’re changing lives.

As one of North America’s leading Jewish non-profits, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto works to preserve and strengthen the quality of Jewish life in Greater Toronto, Canada, Israel and around the world. UJA advances this mission through fundraising, programs, and research focused on our strategic pillars: fighting poverty and improving well-being, growing Jewish education and identity, countering antisemitism and hate, and strengthening connections with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

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About the Opportunity

The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto ShinShinim program allows 20-24 post-high school young Israeli leaders (ShinShinim) to spend a year of volunteerism in Toronto as experiential educators in Israeli culture and Jewish Peoplehood.

Reporting to Vice President Israel Engagement, the program manager will be responsible for acting as their co-mentor and primary contact person, designing together with the UJA ShinShinim team their professional and personal growth plan, optimizing their integration into and impact on the community. In addition, the manager will oversee multiple processes to ensure the smooth operation of the program like recruiting and training host families, steward lay leaders, plan and run seminars, community projects and retreats etc.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Recruit, motivate, develop and retain talent to deliver impactful results, champion a flexible, agile and inclusive work environment, prioritizing health and well-being of team.

Personal Mentoring – Provide individualized mentorship to support the personal and professional growth of each UJA ShinShin throughout the year.

Professional Mentoring – Guide and support UJA ShinShinim in developing and delivering educational initiatives on Israeli culture, society, and Jewish peoplehood at partner institutions.

Team Collaboration – Participate in regular UJA ShinShinim team meetings to address mentoring challenges and committee dynamics.

Internal Coordination – Oversee all UJA ShinShinim-related interactions within UJA, including CCB, Marketing, and Campaign.

Program Oversight – Plan and manage the annual UJA ShinShinim interview and selection process.

Summer Camp Partnerships – Maintain and strengthen relationships with summer camps involved in the UJA ShinShinim program.

Project management – Support UJA ShinShinim in organizing special large Israel engagement projects/events (e.g., Yom Hazikaron).

Logistical Management – manage all the program’s logistical needs, including transportation, vulnerable checks, OHIP , stipends, winter clothing, etc.

Host Family Coordination – In collaboration with the Chair of the UJA ShinShinim program, lead the recruitment, screening, and training of host families while fostering ongoing relationships with them.

Progress Reporting – Prepare and present periodic progress reports.

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Qualifications:

We are looking for an educator in heart, a charismatic role model with a pedagogical and psychological understanding of education.

• Very High organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• High-level verbal and written English and Verbal Hebrew
• Extreme Availability is highly required. (The UJA ShinShinim are young Israelis living for a year in a foreign country, they will need the support of help or a shoulder to lean on). The manager of the program must be available to meet with them at any time required.
• Flexibility in terms of working hours is a must. The UJA ShinShinim works on a very hectic schedule, meeting with them can often happen only in the evenings or during the weekends. Spending time away with them overnight in retreats, Shabbatons, etc., is also a common requirement.
• A driver's license and an available car is a must.
• Advanced computer skills
• Undergraduate degree in the field of experiential education or similar.
• Extensive experience in experiential education and teen engagement.
• Deep and immersive experience and knowledge of Israel and Israeli society as well as with the Jewish community in Toronto.
• Marketing experience is an advantage.