July 21, 2008
Position Synopsis
The JCRC of Greater Washington is seeking a creative dynamo/go-getter for its mid-level Associate position charged with Israel advocacy. Excellent understanding of the Middle East and passion for Israel, superb writing and computer skills, and media and public speaking experience are required. Significant event planning is required. The fundamental role of the Associate is to: 1) strengthen local, domestic support for Israel both within and outside the Jewish community by engaging the Greater Washington community in advocacy efforts that support Israel and other international matters; 2) organize Holocaust commemorative efforts; and, 3) other projects as needed.
Agency Description
Greater Washington is home to the sixth largest Jewish community in the United States, a diverse community with over 215,000 members. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) is the public affairs and community relations arm of the Jewish community, representing The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and 210 Jewish organizations and synagogues throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia. The JCRC focuses on government relations, Israel advocacy, inter-group relations, and social justice.
Responsibilities
- Develop new, creative and innovative community-wide pro-Israel programs, and organize rallies, forums, briefings and crisis response;
- Prepare talking points and action alerts for Israel activists;
- Maintain and enlarge a group of "Rapid Responders" to help Israel activists combat anti-Israel bias, and promote pro-Israel stories, in media and talk radio;
- Develop our new "Neighbors" program, which provides pro-Israel education in small gatherings in non-Jewish households;
- Serve as a resource for Israel information for synagogues and Jewish agencies;
- Oversee yearly budget for Israel and Holocaust Commissions;
- Plan 3-4 meetings each year for Israel Commission;
- Prepare press releases, ghost write op-ends and letters to the editor, and other written materials as needed;
- Provide Israel updates to community groups;
- Recommend speakers to outside organizations requesting speakers;
- Recruit, train volunteers interested in Israel advocacy;
- Serve as liaison to the Israel Embassy, The Israel Project, AIPAC Mid-Atlantic Region, AJC Washington Chapter, Israel on Campus Coalition, JCPA Washington Director and other Jewish agencies;
- Serve as JCRC representative to the Greater Washington Jewish Task Force on Darfur and organize community educational and advocacy efforts;
- Serve as lead staff member on Holocaust Commission, and liaison between 7 groups that comprise the committee; and
- Plan annual Yom Ha Shoah v Hagvurah Commemoration
Skills, Abilities and Experience
- Minimum of three years professional experience with substantial responsibility;
- Self-starter and strategic thinker with a passion for the Jewish community and Israel;
- Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings, and occasional weekends;
- Ability to work independently and on a team;
- Ability to work effectively with lay leaders and maintain communication with supervising board members, and report activities back to the board;
- Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, both Jewish and non-Jewish, lay-leaders and elected officials;
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Public speaking and presentation skills;
- Outstanding writing skills;
- Must be able to synthesize large amounts of information to create talking points and materials for e-newsletter;
- Excellent organizational and time management skills and ability to prioritize numerous phone calls, e-mails and requests from community;
- Ability to identify key non-Jewish populations and create initiatives that engage those populations;
- Programming skills - must be able to produce all aspects of a program from conception to follow-through, i.e., brainstorming, strategizing, speakers, logistics;
- Creativity - ability to think "outside the box"¨ in terms of programming and new advocacy initiatives;
- Media savvy - must constantly update and communicate with press contacts to pitch pro-Israel stories to the media and respond to media bias; and
- Computer skills - Must be proficient in MS Office Suite and able to produce invitations, flyers and reports; maintain current excel lists and work within the agency's database.
This is a full time job. Three years of experience required. Other benefits include: paid vacation, sick leave, maternal/paternal leave, medical, vision, dental, retirement plans, leave early on Shabbat, relocation option available, and life insurance. Please send a resume, cover letter, to Ron Halber.