Newish Jewish Education & Engagement Professionals Network
About this Network:
Why? As education directors and youth professionals begin their roles in the Jewish communal landscape, many have a strong foundation and find that gaining additional skills, tools, and connections enhances their ability to thrive in all aspects of their work.
What? These monthly gatherings provide a space for newer Jewish education professionals to learn, sharpen their skills, receive and offer support, and build connections with the goal of having long-term colleagues from across the country. During these gatherings, we will find time to learn together as a whole community and separately as education director and youth professionals based on the needs of the cohort.
Who? The Newish Jewish Education & Engagement Professionals Network is designed for Directors in Part-time Jewish Education programs in their first or second year and for professionals working in teen education and engagement who have served at least two years in their role.
How? The general format for each session is:
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Group connection and Jewish learning
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Topical learning facilitated by a field expert(s)
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Networking, collaborating, and support divided by education directors and youth education and engagement professionals
Topics? The topical learning portion of the network will focus on using a ‘How to’ lens. This network will explore a multitude of topics within Jewish non-profit work in synagogue settings and beyond. Sample topics include: attuned listening/tough conversations/compassionate leadership, navigating organizational policies and politics, boundary setting and burnout, budgeting best practices, managing up-over-down, resources at your fingertips, coalition and relationship building with parents, staff, lay leaders, and the community, and more.
About the Facilitators:

Rabbi David E. Levy is the Director, Field Consultation at The Jewish Education Project. His primary work focuses on supporting congregational educators across the country to explore the big questions in Jewish Education, and how they are particularly positioned to respond to them. Prior to The Jewish Education Project, David worked at Westchester Reform Temple for a decade, where he served as the Associate Rabbi and the Director of the Jewish Learning Lab. He also has extensive experience working with Jewish camps, and as a consultant. David received Rabbinic ordination and a Masters in Religious Education from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems from Drexel University.

Erica Hruby, M.A. is a Jewish educator with nearly 30-years of teaching, curriculum writing, and professional development experience in Jewish community, academic, and residential environments. Erica serves as Senior Manager, National Teen Education and Engagement at The Jewish Education Project. She is also the founder of Anchored Parenting, LLC where she serves as a parent educator and coach. Erica has an M.A. from Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology with a focus on children and adolescents. She lives on the West Coast of Florida with her high school sweetheart with whom she shares two adult daughters.
- When
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Monthly, September-May, 1-2 pm ET9/16/25, 10/22/25, 11/20/25, 12/15/25, 1/29/26, 2/24/26, 3/23/26, 4/15/26, 5/19/26
- Facilitators
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Rabbi David LevyErica Hruby
- Format
- Virtual
- New members
- Open
- Target audience
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Director / Principal / Head of SchoolEducator / TeacherYouth Professional / Teen Engagement
- Geographic regions
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National
- Area of work
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Congregational LearningTeen Engagement