Temple Israel
Executive Director
West Palm Beach, FL
Salary: $160,000
BACKGROUND
The Organization
Temple Israel is the first Jewish organization in Palm Beach County and is the only Reform synagogue in West Palm Beach.
Founded in 1923 by six Jewish families committed to progressive Judaism, it officially dedicated its first building in 1924 under the name Temple Beth Israel. Since then, the congregation has grown and evolved and marked its centennial in 2023.
Today, Temple Israel presents itself as a welcoming, inclusive community that emphasizes worship, study, and social engagement. Its services are fully egalitarian—with participation open to all regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or family structure—and are designed to balance traditional and contemporary worship in Hebrew and English.
Under the leadership of husband-and-wife co-senior rabbis Ryan Daniels and Carlie Daniels — the first such pair in Palm Beach County — the congregation has renewed its focus on relevance, community building, and inclusion.
In the past 2 years, they have celebrated an approx. 45% increase in membership and 61% increase in religious school enrollment.
This past year the leadership, professional and lay, have crafted a values-driven vision for the future of the congregation. One that honors and builds on the rich history while charting a brave path forward.
This is a unique moment in time at Temple Israel and for the local community:
1. Opportunity for more land + community partnerships to build a hub for Jewish life in West Palm Beach
2. Need and desire for faith + connectivity – Renewal of Jewish life post 10/7
3. Fast growing Jewish community in Palm Beach County, particularly families with children: ½ of all Temple Israel families with children have affiliated since July 2023
For more information on Temple Israel, go to https://www.temple-israel.com/.
The Location
Palm Beach County offers an exceptional quality of life, blending natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and economic opportunity. Residents enjoy year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, and access to world-class parks, golf courses, and waterways perfect for outdoor recreation. The county boasts a diverse and thriving economy with strong sectors in healthcare, education, technology, and finance, alongside no state income tax.
Its rich arts and culture scene—from renowned museums and performing arts venues to local festivals—adds to its appeal. With excellent schools, vibrant communities, and easy access to major transportation hubs, Palm Beach County provides an ideal balance of relaxation, sophistication, and opportunity for individuals and families alike.
The Position
Temple Israel seeks to partner with an energetic and experienced Executive Director to bring their talents, aspirations, and initiative to the community. The Executive Director will strategically lead all operations, including financial, human resources, facility, technology, and administrative operations for Temple Israel.
Reporting to the President of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership and directly manage a team of five or six staff members, depending on an evolving organizational structure with additional staff members reporting to direct reports. The ideal Executive Director will be both a leader and a team player, and a partner with staff, lay leadership, and the congregation at large, all in accordance with Temple Israel’s mission, bylaws, and policies.
Role Priorities
· Operational Leadership: Establish clear processes, manage day-to-day operations, and ensure the administrative team supports the synagogue's goals effectively.
· Facilities Management: Oversee the transition to the new building, including negotiations with city leaders and managing facility operations.
· Strategic Partnership: Act as a strategic partner to the rabbis and board, helping to implement the synagogue's vision and long-term goals.
· Fundraising and Financial Oversight: Support and coordinate fundraising efforts, including a major upcoming capital campaign, and manage financial planning.
· Staff Management and Development: Address staff turnover, provide coaching and supervision, and build a stable, skilled team.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Organizational Leadership & Vision
· Embrace and take shared ownership of the vision and strategic direction of the synagogue to enable the continued growth and success of the community.
· Partner closely with the Senior Rabbis, Congregation President, and Board of Directors to execute key decisions and initiatives related to operations, human resources, and strategic priorities.
· Foster a culture of collaboration, communication, hospitality, integrity, and shared responsibility across all departments.
Supervision & Management
· Directly or indirectly manage all synagogue office staff, ensuring clarity of roles, strong performance, and alignment with mission and values.
· Mentor and supervise staff through coaching and professional development, with a genuine commitment to their growth and success.
· Lead efforts to repair and rebuild organizational culture, creating an inclusive, transparent, and respectful workplace environment.
Operations & Administration
· Oversee all daily operations to ensure efficiency, accountability, and mission alignment.
· Manage and continually improve systems, processes, and organizational structures to promote stability and operational excellence.
· Serve as the primary contact for crisis and emergency management related to facilities and operations, maintaining readiness and safety protocols.
· Maintain warmth, accessibility, and approachability in interactions with congregants, supporting an inclusive and welcoming culture without serving as the primary public face.
Finance & Facilities
· In partnership with board and Senior Rabbis, implement the architectural design for new campus, break ground, and open new campus facilities.
· Manage all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, billing, purchasing, expense control, cash management, and analysis.
· Oversee banking relationships, endowment investments, and coordinate with external accountants on tax and audit preparation.
Operating Budget
Direct Reports
Campus Size
$2.3M
5
Current: 25,000 sq/ft
New: 40,000+ sq/ft
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
1. The ideal candidate for the Executive Director position possesses the following competencies:
Additional Qualifications
· Experience in nonprofit leadership, preferably with executive director or COO roles in Jewish communal organizations or similar sectors.
· Strong background in financial management, including budgeting, revenue stream analysis, and financial sustainability.
· Operational expertise in facilities management and organizational process improvement.
· Proven HR leadership skills, including staff coaching, mentoring, and knowledge of HR laws and policies.
· Deep understanding of Jewish culture and the Jewish community.
· Strategic thinker with experience in capital campaigns and fundraising.
· Ability to relate to diverse congregants, from long-standing members to new families, and to maintain a warm community tone.
· Experience in overseeing budgets, fundraising efforts, and financial planning.
· Change Management needed to lead the synagogue through transitions including relocation and cultural shifts.
· Knowledge of relevant software and systems to manage data, communications, and operations effectively.
WHO WE ARE
Work Environment
The Executive Director role is an on-site position.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
The synagogue is a sacred space that serves as a spiritual home for all who enter its doors. Its sanctity and strength, in turn, depend largely on the degree to which everyone in the community – members, lay leaders, clergy and professional staff– thinks and acts according to Reform Jewish values. When they do, the synagogue remains a safe space in which to engage with one another in sacred.
Physical Needs & Work Environment
· Sitting: Required for long periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.
· Standing: Intermittent standing for periods of time is common, such as during meetings or when overseeing events.
· Walking: Frequent walking is necessary for moving around an office, traveling between locations, and performing job-related duties.
· Lifting: Occasionally lifting items such as supplies, equipment, or materials weighing between 10 and 50 pounds, depending on the specific role.
· Reaching, bending, stooping: Often required when performing job functions, such as reaching for items or bending to plug in equipment.
· Vision: Requires specific vision abilities, including close and distance vision, to read documents and computer screens.
· Other physical considerations
Travel: Some positions require periodic or frequent travel to various locations.
Work environment: Duties may involve occasional work in varied environments, including outdoors or in settings with moderate to high noise levels.
Fine motor skills: Use of hands for typing and handling documents is a frequent requirement.
Communication: The role requires the ability to talk and hear to communicate verbally and via phone.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary: $160,000
Benefits
· Health Insurance
· 401k
· Paid Sick Time
· 18 - Federal and Jewish Paid Holidays
· Generous Paid Leave – Medical, Maternity, Paternity, Bereavement
· Professional Development Stipend-
· Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us by middle of December.
Sarah Raful Whinston
Partner
Bee Smith
Associate Talent Consultant
Submit an application HERE.