Rabbinic Couple (Part-time Educator) at Cohen Hillel at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Rabbinic Couple (Part-time Educator)

Hillel at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Role Overview

The Orthodox Jewish Educator at Illini Hillel (OJE) serves as a co-leader of Orthodox life at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The OJE acts as a community builder, teacher and Halachic authority for Orthodox and observant Jewish students and community members in Champaign-Urbana. The Part-Time Jewish Educator will cultivate a vibrant, welcoming, and intellectually engaging environment for Jewish students and the broader Orthodox community at the University of Illinois.

Working alongside their co-educator partner, the Jewish Educator will serve as a mentor, Torah teacher, and host, creating a supportive "home away from home" for UIUC students. As an integral member of the Illini Hillel team, the Educator ensures that the infrastructure of Orthodox life—including our Kosher dining, daily prayer services, the Eruv, and the Mikvah – is maintained and utilized to enhance the student experience. The salary range for this role is $30,000-$40,000.

Roles and Responsibilities

Mentorship:

Build substantial relationships with at least 60 undergraduates and graduate female-identifying students (both Orthodox and non-Orthodox) through chevruta learning, teaching and mentorship.

Holiday Services and Meals:

Host and facilitate holiday meals at the Hillel building or at a home location.

cRc Kosher Hashgacha:

Provide cRc Hashgacha for Hillel’s Kosher kitchens.

Hospitality:

Host students for Shabbat and Holiday meals in a warm, welcoming home environment.

Recruitment & Networking:

Work with the Orthodox Rabbi to proactively reach out to incoming freshmen and transfer students from Orthodox communities and youth movements (NCSY, Bnei Akiva, etc.) to recruit and integrate them into the Illini Hillel community.

The Eruv:

Monitor, maintain and communicate the status of the Champaign-Urbana Eruv, with help from students and community members.

The Mikvah:

Serve on the board of the Champaign Urbana Mikvah Association in a leadership as a board member.

Additional Responsibilities

Empower students to take leadership roles in Jewish life on campus including internships and board positions at Hillel and beyond.

Work with staff on Shabbat dinners, holidays, and other large programs.

Participate as a full member of The Hillels of Illinois Staff in local, regional and national Hillel programs and programs of the Jewish Federation as may be appropriate.

Qualifications

• A college degree or religious equivalent institution.
• Ability to connect with Gen-Z students and understand the unique pressures of a high-achieving academic environment like UIUC.
• 1-2 years of post-college experience preferred.
• Passion for Jews, Judaism, and Israel and proud to be a Jewish role model.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to work nights and weekends.
• Recognition and respect of Hillel’s pluralist nature as a Jewish organization that serves Jewish students of all backgrounds, experiences, and genders.
• Work Authorization: Authorized to work in the United States.

About Jewish Life at UIUC

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is home to one of the largest and most active Jewish student populations in the country. Illini Hillel is the heart of this community, providing a state-of-the-art facility for prayer, study, and socializing. With a dedicated Kosher kitchen, a reliable Eruv, a Mikvah and a close-knit Orthodox community, UIUC is a premier destination for observant students in the Midwest.

About Hillel International

In 1923, Rabbi Benjamin Frankel started Hillel with humble means, a noble mission and a breathtaking vision: to convey Jewish civilization to a new generation. Today, Hillel International continues to enrich the lives of Jewish students and is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world at nearly 1,000 colleges and universities across North America and around the world.

As Hillel evolves as an organization, the mission remains steadfast: to create lasting connections with every Jewish student that foster an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel and train them to become the next Jewish leaders.