Executive Director

Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

Chicago, Illinois and Washington, DC

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Founded in 2002, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom (Brit Tzedek) is America's largest grassroots Jewish peace organization composed of American Jews deeply committed to Israel's well-being through the achievement of a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In six years, Brit Tzedek has grown to a network of over 40,000 supporters in 38 chapters, with offices in Chicago and Washington, DC. Brit Tzedek, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis and American Jews, believes that ensuring a safe and secure state of Israel necessitates an economically viable Palestinian state standing by its side. Only then can a brighter future begin.

This is a critical time for Brit Tzedek to capitalize on the sweeping changes in Washington and build upon a Democratic Congress and President Obama’s commitment to establish a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Brit Tzedek unites Jewish leaders, both rabbis and lay, as well as members of the community, and provides vital support for elected officials some of whom still risk electoral threats due to their support of a two-state solution.

A pro-Israel, pro-peace organization, Brit Tzedek is seeking an inspirational and visionary Executive Director to help educate and mobilize American Jews in support of a negotiated two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. S/he will be a strategic and innovative thinker who knows how to maximize grassroots networks to build political influence and advance the organization’s critical mission. The new Executive Director will advocate on behalf of Brit Tzedek with Congress and the White House in support of policies that promote peace; mobilize critical mass and attention through grassroots organizing efforts and educational events; organize a strong and unified religious voice for peace through its network of over 1,500 rabbis and cantors and in partnership with tens of thousands of Jews across the country; and build a clear and visible presence in the Jewish community for a two-state solution.

The Executive Director will oversee and enhance Brit Tzedek’s short and long-term organizational vision and growth, policy and advocacy campaigns, board development and relations, fiscal goals, and staff recruitment and management. The Executive Director will serve as the organization’s key public spokesperson and will harness its extensive leadership network, positioning it as the leading Jewish organization mobilizing on the issue. S/he will supervise a team of six employees based in both Chicago, Illinois and Washington, DC and will be responsible for hiring a national field director. S/he will report directly to the Board of Directors that includes prominent rabbis from Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements, along with many of Brit Tzedek's most accomplished chapter leaders.

The successful candidate will bring political campaign and/or issue advocacy experience, a strong track record in fundraising, proven program and organizational development skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated personnel and financial management expertise. Strong preference will be given to candidates with significant experience working within either the American Jewish community and/or within the peace communities related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This position will be based in Washington, DC or Chicago, Illinois.

This search is being conducted by the Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group.
 

HISTORY AND MISSION

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, was founded in 2002 by a group of dedicated and innovative American Jewish activists who sought to create a national organization in support of a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a pro-Israel, pro-peace organization, Brit Tzedek is committed to educating and mobilizing American Jews in support of a negotiated two-state resolution for Israel and Palestine. Jewish perspectives regarding the conflict have traditionally played a central role in shaping the United States political scene as well as playing an important role within the Jewish community and Jewish identity. American Jews who share a belief in a two-state solution are coming to realize that their silence may be understood as tacit approval for policies that are not in the best interests of Israel's long-term peace and well-being.

Brit Tzedek is America’s largest grassroots Jewish peace organization and combines the principles of social justice fundamentals and Jewish tradition with the unique perspectives of American Jews’ concerns for Israel. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with a satellite office in Washington, DC, Brit Tzedek educates and organizes the American Jewish community in support of Israel’s long-term peace through a network of 40,000 supporters, 38 local chapters and over 1500 rabbis. Supporters of Brit Tzedek are organized into a national chapter network and vibrant on-line activist communities, which seek to shape the discourse on a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Chapters appeal regularly to their members of Congress, organize educational events in local Jewish communities with support from Brit Tzedek’s dedicated rabbinic network and reach out to their local Jewish press, building a progressive presence within the Jewish community and promoting communal dialogue.
Brit Tzedek v’Shalom’s key impact areas include:

Membership and Outreach:

• With a network of more than 40,000, Brit Tzedek is the largest national grassroots American Jewish peace organization. Supporters are organized into 38 chapters throughout the country.

• Brit Tzedek’s nationwide rabbinic network numbers over 1500 who have signed onto various Brit Tzedek initiatives. The 263 members of the Rabbinic Cabinet have made a public commitment to support Brit Tzedek’s work.

Advocacy/Activism:

• Brit Tzedek trains members on how to work with and lobby Congress through its Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill, which provide activists access to Congressional and State Department staffers. Well over 100 meetings on the Hill take place every year in geographically organized delegations.

• Brit Tzedek chapters organize home district meetings with representatives and senators, often during home district breaks in April, August and December. These meetings allow Brit Tzedek to share its thinking on current efforts, and for the chapters to offer themselves as a resource on Israel-related issues.

• Brit Tzedek organizes national campaigns that serve to educate and organize its base on key conflict-related issues. A significant component of these campaigns is directed toward influencing Congress. Previous themes have included: A Call to Bring the Settlers Home to Israel, Time to Choose Peace, and Let’s Talk. Many involve sign-on letters, petitions and pledges targeted to the Jewish community, Jewish leaders and Jewish clergy.

Education:

• Brit Tzedek regularly sponsors speaking tours across America featuring leading political figures. Recent speakers included: Israeli journalist and documentary filmmaker Chaim Yavin; Chairman of the Meretz-Yachad Party, Former Knesset Member and principal Israeli architect of the Geneva Accord Yossi Beilin; and Gershon Baskin and Hanna Siniora, co-directors of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI).

• Brit Tzedek hosts periodic virtual Town Hall Meetings via conference call, providing participants a forum in which to discuss issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the field's foremost experts.

• Brit Tzedek sends resources to the members of its rabbinic network related to current events and Jewish holidays for sermons and other related activities.

• Brit Tzedek’s annual Grassroots Leadership Training Institute provides a forum to train chapter activists in organizing skills and promotes networking among geographically dispersed chapters.

Media/Communications:

• Brit Tzedek works with Rabinowitz-Dorf Communications, a nationally respected media consulting firm, to develop and implement a comprehensive national media strategy to raise the organization’s public profile through targeted media outreach, story and spokesperson placement, message development, activist training and creative event planning. The firm works closely with Brit Tzedek’s media and communications staff to link this strategy with independent chapter initiatives.

• News stories in both the Jewish and mainstream media regularly quote Brit Tzedek spokespeople and include excerpts and summaries from the organization’s press statements in publications including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The New York Review of Books, The Jerusalem Post, New York Jewish Week and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

• Brit Tzedek’s national leadership develops talking points in response to current and emergent issues and distributes them to chapters to use as the basis for letters to the editor and op-eds in their local mainstream and Jewish community newspapers. This initiative elevates the quality of information and discourse about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in individual communities through broader awareness of the diversity of opinions on this issue.

Jewish Community Outreach:

• Chapters participate in Jewish community events such as public fairs including the San Francisco Bay Area's "Israel in the Gardens", community town hall meetings on Israel in Boston and conferences such as the Atlanta Chapter’s involvement with the Limmud Conference.

• Chapters participate in internal meetings of Jewish community leadership (Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils, etc.), and wherever possible often join.

• Chapters conduct extensive outreach to local synagogues, holding most public events and many internal events at these venues, and encourage rabbis to sign on to Brit Tzedek rabbinic letters and activists to open internal dialogue within congregations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Brit Tzedek v'Shalom seeks an inspirational and visionary professional for the position of Executive Director. The new Executive Director will report to the 24-member Board of Directors and will have overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, fundraising and financial operations of the organization. The Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring the entity’s fiscal stability and continued philanthropic support, effectively managing the organization and retaining and recruiting accomplished employees and volunteers. The Executive Director will also supervise a team of six people based in Chicago, Illinois and Washington, DC. Brit Tzedek has an operating budget of over one million dollars annually.

The Executive Director will engage in the following opportunities and challenges in the first 12-18 months of his/her tenure:

Defining the priorities for the next decade and identifying necessary resources required to support those goals in partnership with the Board of Directors and staff;

The Executive Director will provide new leadership and a fresh perspective to Brit Tzedek’s short and long-term vision and programmatic efforts. S/he will review the current strategic plan, assessing its relevancy given the new economic and political landscape, refining and expanding upon it where necessary. S/he will work with the Board of Directors and staff to sharpen the organization’s focus and position it for future planning and growth. S/he will determine expansion, growth and collaboration opportunities and implement necessary steps to reach these goals. The new Executive Director will adapt and implement necessary systems to maintain positive and seamless relationships between the offices in Chicago Illinois and Washington, DC, as well as among the chapters nationwide.

Capitalizing on and strategically advancing Brit Tzedek as the recognized leader in grassroots effort to promote a negotiated two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;

The Executive Director will create and implement a plan to promote a negotiated two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. S/he will develop strategies for gaining political support for Brit Tzedek’s agenda through coalition-building, grassroots organizing and advocacy, media publicity, endorsements and message development. As a thought leader among grassroots movements, the Executive Director will foster and maintain a vibrant and productive partnership with volunteers, donors, rabbis, community organizations, government leaders, foundations and program participants in order to advance the work of Brit Tzedek. S/he will broaden Brit Tzedek’s base in the Jewish community, reaching out to both the affiliated and unaffiliated through events at synagogues and other Jewish venues, organizing and mobilizing large numbers of rabbis, participating in formal discussions and activities within the organized Jewish community, and by building alliances in a way that will counter the monopoly of the Jewish right on public discourse surrounding the conflict.

Ensuring that medium and long-term revenue goals are met by nurturing current funding streams and guiding the development of new funding partnerships that diversify the organization’s support network;

The Executive Director will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to develop and implement an effective fundraising plan to meet annual budget targets. S/he will have a track record of successfully identifying and cultivating new donors on a sustained basis and engaging new constituencies of support. S/he will be responsible for stewarding relationships with existing funders while coordinating research and outreach to potential new donors by staff and board members. S/he will utilize the organization’s extensive network to capitalize on success stories as tools for fundraising and will employ a sophisticated approach to identifying and cultivating new relationships with prospective donors and foundations, connecting them with the powerful impact of Brit Tzedek’s vision. The Executive Director will be a connector, reaching out through national networks to guide Brit Tzedek’s development of a major gifts program through events and personal outreach. It is expected that the Executive Director will devote approximately 60 percent of his or her time to fundraising activities.

Overseeing a comprehensive strategic communications plan supportive of Brit Tzedek's goals;

The Executive Director will oversee the development and implementation of Brit Tzedek’s marketing and public relations plan, promoting its mission in national and international forums. As chief spokesperson, s/he will develop opportunities to expand Brit Tzedek’s identity and profile through broad community engagement, partnerships, networking and increased media exposure, positioning it as a highly recognized brand with a strong reputation, nationally and internationally. S/he will oversee communication planning and strategy, ensuring that branding implementation and messaging are in line with the organization’s overall communications goals. S/he will oversee proven and cutting edge public relations tactics to generate human-interest stories in the national and local media. On an ongoing basis, s/he will oversee the training and grooming of selected leaders in each chapter as spokespeople to the media and the community in order to broaden Brit Tzedek’s reach with local media outlets and ensure that messaging is consistent across the organization. S/he will help expand online outreach through Web 2.0 tools in order to mobilize Brit Tzedek’s base and facilitate peer-to-peer outreach by activists.

Ensuring smooth governance operations of Brit Tzedek’s Board of Directors;

Setting policies and strategic direction with the Board of Directors, s/he will serve as the primary liaison and support all activities associated with the Board of Directors, including staffing all board and committee meetings, developing meeting schedules, locations, agendas and meeting materials. S/he will serve or assign staff to work with board committees, support the work of board committees as needed and assist the board in fulfilling its fundraising mandates. S/he will be responsible for administering overall operations, including, but not limited to: providing leadership in developing organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors; allocating resources for greater effectiveness and efficiency; crafting Brit Tzedek’s policies and program objectives for Board consideration; and carrying out plans and policies authorized by the board.

Managing internal operations toward optimal financial potential by setting priorities, agendas and strategies;

The Executive Director will oversee the organization’s staff including hiring and training new staff, planning staff meetings and retreats, and conducting performance reviews and ongoing professional development to maximize their skills and potential. S/he will create concrete and realistic timelines, budgets and work plans in all organizational areas. The Executive Director will manage a strong staff team, ensuring top-quality performance of established programs, outreach initiatives and internal efforts by implementing systems for program evaluation and assessment. S/he will establish a tone within the organization, which encourages open communication and teamwork while stressing measurable results and accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will have political campaign and/or issue advocacy experience, a strong track record in fundraising, proven program and organizational development skills and demonstrated personnel and financial management experience. S/he will possess excellent written and oral communication skills, experience leading strategic planning efforts, and superior interpersonal, supervisory and networking skills necessary to fulfill Brit Tzedek’s ambitious agenda. S/he will bring significant non-profit administrative, fundraising, and advocacy successes. Strong preference will be given to candidates with solid expertise working within either the American Jewish community and/or with international peace organizations addressing issues related to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

While no one person will embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

• A minimum of ten years of successful, senior-level non-profit experience in an executive or senior management position shepherding multiple stakeholders and significant projects; Direct experience leading a grassroots organization a plus;

• National political campaign or issue advocacy experience; Keen understanding of strategy development and execution that leads to policy change at the national and international level;

• Savvy in community organizing settings that capitalizes on shared interests; Charisma to bring diverse parties together for a shared vision;

• Proven ability to articulate and execute a program vision and a growth strategy; Analytical aptitude to evaluate strengths and weaknesses and translate them into a compelling vision and strategic plan that can propel an organization forward while sustaining its grassroots and entrepreneurial culture;

• Experience working with, developing and engaging a Board of Directors and leveraging staff and board talents and time wisely;

• A demonstrated proficiency in spearheading and leading fundraising campaigns and a proven ability to leverage capital for both operations and organizing efforts that is demonstrated in a commitment to maintaining current funders, a zest for cultivating new donors, an ability to generate new revenue streams and a strong history of successfully taking organizations to the next level of sustained philanthropic support;

• Successfully demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to lead, stimulate, inspire and coach dedicated professionals combined with sound management expertise;

• An ability to manage multiple priorities while leading in a manner that embodies respect, teamwork and collaboration in a passionate and dedicated staff; Ability to be a team builder who is participatory and inclusive in management style but who also knows how to effectively delegate when appropriate;

• A demonstrated knowledge, familiarity and commitment to issues related to Israeli/Palestinian peace; Deep insight gained from working inside the American Jewish community, Congress or the Executive Branch;

• An effective advocate and spokesperson who understands how to influence decision makers with persuasive communication skills and who can articulate the vision to inspire others;

• The gravitas and presence to mobilize and rally the community around a positive vision of peace and counter anti-peace forces that have spread fear in the community;

• Excellent networking and positioning skills with the ability to work collaboratively with networks preferably with experience at the national level;

• Demonstrated knowledge of sound business and operational principles, including accepted financial accounting practices, budgeting, insurance, payroll processing and risk management;

• Powerful public speaking and written advocacy skills that can mobilize social change and inspire investment and action; Experience developing a communications strategy that functions at the grassroots level and provides message clarity to move a policy agenda in Washington, DC;

• Interest in being located in Washington, DC or Chicago, IL.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

More information about Brit Tzedek v’Shalom – Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace may be found at http://www.btvshalom.org.

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: bts-ed@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

 

Brit Tzedek v’Shalom is an equal opportunity employer.