Community Relations & Jewish Advocacy Officer

Job Description

Job Description

The Community Relations & Jewish Advocacy Officer serves as a key ambassador for JewishAkron to strengthening relationships throughout the Jewish and broader Greater Akron community while leading strategic efforts to address and prevent antisemitism. This position will help move JewishAkron from primarily reactive responses to antisemitism toward a comprehensive, proactive, and sustained approach to prevention, education, engagement and response.

D Community Relations & Public Affiars Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key representative and ambassador for JewishAkron in the Jewish and Greater Akron communities.
• Support JewishAkron’s Community Relations Committee (CRC) and work with volunteer leaders to set priorities, strategies, and community initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with civic and business leaders, elected officials, nonprofits, faith communities, schools, and other community partners.
• Increase JewishAkron’s visibility and reputation through outreach, relationship building, and involvement in community activities.
• Identify and develop partnerships that support JewishAkron’s goals and strengthen its role as a community leader.
• Stay informed about local and state issues that affect the Jewish community and advise JewishAkron leadership on appropriate responses, advocacy, and engagement opportunities.
• Represent JewishAkron at community meetings, coalitions, public forums, interfaith programs, civic events, and other external activities.
• Support additional projects and initiatives as organization needs arise.

 

A Antisemitism Prevention, Education, and Response:

• Lead community efforts to prevent and address antisemitism through education, advocacy, relationship building, and proactive engagement.
• Develop and carry out strategies to address antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities, workplaces, government, and public spaces.
• Serve as a primary contact for reports of antisemitism and coordinate appropriate organizational and community responses.
• Create and maintain a coordinated community response plan for antisemitic incidents.
• Build relationships with school districts, educators, administrators, and school boards to increase understanding of antisemitism, Jewish identity, Jewish holidays, and the needs of Jewish students.
• Build relationships with local high schools,colleges and universities, especially Revere, Copley, and Akron high schools, Kent State University and the University of Akron, to support Jewish students and respond to antisemitic incidents or concerns.
• Organize educational programs, workshops, speakers, and community discussions on antisemitism, Holocaust education, Jewish identity, and inclusion.
• Support and expand Holocaust education in local schools and throughout the community.
• Work with local, state, and national organizations focused on preventing antisemitism and promoting respectful and constructive dialogue.
• Monitor regional antisemitism trends and incidents and provide regular updates to JewishAkron leadership and the CRC.
• Perform related duties and special projects as needed.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience in community relations, public affairs, government relations, advocacy, education, nonprofit leadership, coalition building, or a related field.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with elected officials, educators, law enforcement, faith leaders, business and nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and community members.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to navigate sensitive, complex, and occasionally high-profile community issues with sound judgment, diplomacy, professionalism, and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to build coalitions and develop productive relationships among individuals and organizations with differing perspectives.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to respond effectively and calmly to emerging community situations and incidents.
• Knowledge of Jewish communal life, Jewish identity, Israel, antisemitism, and Holocaust education strongly preferred.
• Experience working with schools, universities, government, advocacy organizations, or interfaith/intergroup initiatives are highly desirable.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for community meetings, programs, and events.

Educatio n:

• Bachelor's degree required; 
• Advanced degree in public affairs, communications, nonprofit management, education, public policy, law, community relations, or a related field preferred.