Central Synagogue’s Vision:
Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 3,500 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. It has long played a significant role in the national Reform movement and is known for its innovation and leadership in worship, leading to a greatly expanded audience over the last two decades.
Central Synagogue works toward a world in which Judaism is core to the lives of Central members and Jews everywhere and is a profound and positive force for humanity. Central continually redefines what it means to be Jewish today, both within the Synagogue community and far beyond the Synagogue’s walls. The diverse clergy and professional team work hard, in collaboration with lay leadership, to build deep and enduring relationships among Central members, creating a caring, dynamic, and joyful community.
Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community. The Synagogue encourages participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of its sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, ability, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Central is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community.
The Synagogue is well resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/.
Our Vision at Central Synagogue’s Central Tots Program:
Early childhood is a magical time of discovery for children and their parents. At Central Synagogue, one of the largest Reform congregations in North America located in Midtown Manhattan, we provide children and their grown-ups with rich learning and growth experiences that establish them as lifelong learners and celebratory experiences that connect them to the joys of Judaism through an exploration of values, traditions, and rituals.
Job Summary:
The Central Tots Lead Teacher is a member of Central Synagogue’s Early Childhood Department and is responsible for the education, care, and well-being of his or her assigned groups of students and families during their time in our programs. The Central Tots Lead Teacher generally teaches 1-2 classes each morning. Each class consists of approximately up to 10 children and every child is accompanied by a trusted grown-up, either a parent, other family member, or a caregiver. Under the guidance of the Director of Family Engagement and Central Tots, the Central Tots Lead Teacher is required to implement planned curriculum, provide a developmentally appropriate classroom environment, determine classroom and individual student goals, create constructive partnerships with the grown-ups in the classroom, communicate warmly with the students’ parents via phone and email on a regular basis, participate in team meetings and uphold the objectives and overall philosophy of the Central Tots program. In the afternoon, the Central Tots Lead teacher will support Nursery School programming, including chaperoning Nursery School after school classes. The Central Tots Lead Teacher works closely with the Central Tots assistant teacher and Nursery School staff and reports to the Director of Family Engagement and Central Tots.
We are looking for a dynamic lead teacher who displays creativity, flexibility, kindness, and warmth, and who has a passion for working both with toddlers and with their parents, caregivers, and/or other family members who attend class with the students.
Reports ToDirector of Family Engagement & Central Tots
Department Hours
Full-time, 10-month position, Exempt and not eligible for OT
Your hours of employment will be as follows: Monday through
Thursday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm and until 2:30 pm on Friday
Date: April 2026
Essential Duties/Key Responsibilities:
- Manage all aspects of daily classroom life, including health and safety of all students, establishment of comfortable classroom routines and transitions, and implementation of child-centered, developmentally appropriate, emergent curriculum that excites children about learning and prepares them for the next step in their education.
- Plan and implement activities to support and foster positive self-esteem, social skills, developmental growth, and independence for all students.
- Incorporate parents, caregivers, and other accompanying adults into classroom lessons and activities and promote open communication and collaboration among all the adults in the classroom
- Work collaboratively with teaching team, administrators, and Youth and Family Department Staff.
- Incorporate Shabbat, Jewish holiday celebrations, and Jewish values, customs, traditions, and rituals into the classroom.
- Communicate effectively with parents via phone, email, and in-person discussions as necessary.
Qualifications:
- Teaching experience in early childhood or toddler classroom (minimum five years teaching experience)
- Experience teaching in a non-separated classroom that includes parents or caregivers
- Knowledge of Judaism and Jewish holidays a plus
- Master’s degree in early childhood education or related graduate education degree preferred
Other Duties:
Please note that the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
The expected salary range for this position is $55,000 to $63,000. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community. The salary is commensurate with experience based on several factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience. The above salary range represents the Synagogue’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation range at the time of posting.
