Student Life Associate
​Role Overview
At UMass Hillel, people are at the heart of our work. If you are excited to build Jewish community with students of diverse backgrounds and work with a collaborative staff team, this may be the role for you.
As a Student Life Associate, you'll build meaningful connections that help Jewish students feel seen, valued, and inspired to explore their identity and community. You'll meet students where they are and help create experiences that feel relevant, joyful, and genuinely theirs.
You are an equal parts connector, coordinator, and community-builder. You're not just running programs–you're helping shape how students experience Jewish life during one of the most formative times in their lives. 
This role is ideal for an early-career professional who is energized by working directly with students across a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and identities. The Student Life Associate translates strategy into authentic connection, and impactful action and is ready to wear many hats as UMass Hillel continues to evolve and grow. 
Core Competencies

• Relationship Builder
• Project Management & Follow-Through
• Student-Centered
• Resiliency & Adaptability
• Pluralistic & Inclusive Mindset
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively

What You'll Do

• Build meaningful one-on-one relationships with students across a wide range of Jewish backgrounds and identities, from first connections to follow up that deepens engagement over time
• Create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student feels they belong, with a particular focus on reaching students not traditionally engaged in Hillel.
• Enhance students’ college experience using proven methods as well as innovative approaches that include our Hillel garden and commercial kitchen
• Meet students where they are — across campus, through student organizations, and at campus events 
• Partner with students leaders to create and execute programming that reflects the diverse interests of UMass students
• Advise student groups to create impactful, mission-driven programming
• Collaborate with awesome staff colleagues and campus partners
• Track student interactions and program participation using Hillel engagement systems 
• Contribute to team planning, reflection, and assessment — and embrace new responsibilities as you grow with us

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; recent graduates and early-career professionals (0–3 years) are encouraged to apply. 
• Relational approach: A genuine passion for building relationships and community
• Strong project management skills: You can work on multiple initiatives at the same time, keeping details from falling through the cracks, and follow through independently 
• Flexibility and a growth mindset: You're comfortable adapting as organizational needs shift and thrive in a dynamic environment
• Welcoming instincts: An ability to connect warmly with students across the full spectrum of Jewish backgrounds — from deeply observant to culturally Jewish to those just beginning to explore their identity
• Strong organization skills with a desire to learn new systems
• Creativity, initiative, and emotional intelligence
• Comfort working a flexible schedule that includes evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays
  
  

Overqualified? We don't think so. If you've got more experience than this role calls for, apply anyway — we have room to talk about salary and scope for someone with the right energy and background.
What You'll Receive

• Salary Range: $45,000 – $48,000, based on experience. 
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, Life, AD&D and Long Term Disability insurances, Flexible Spending Plan, generous vacation and sick leave, and parental leave
• Mentoring, career coaching, and professional development to support individualized growth
• A network of colleagues across the Hillel movement
• Travel opportunities, including potential trips to Israel

Apply Here

Modern Orthodox Educator in Residence
Role Overview
UMass Amherst Hillel is seeking a Modern Orthodox educator, or a co-educator team to serve in a joint role, who will help support and inspire Jewish learning, practice, and engagement at UMass Hillel. The Orthodox Educator will join UMass Hillel for select Shabbatot and chagim as a mentor, educator, and advisor. The ideal candidate will be available for ongoing student support and relationship building between visits.  
UMass Hillel is a pluralistic community that includes Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and secular students. Hillel sustains core resources for Jewish religious life including hosting kosher Shabbat and holiday meals, multiple services, an eruv, and has a warm, tight-knit Shabbat community. The Orthodox Educator will work with Hillel’s full-time Hadar Campus rabbi and staff team to foster the continued growth of our Modern Orthodox community and the broader vibrancy of our pluralistic Jewish community. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve as a dedicated role model who is excited to study, pray, and advise students and support each student’s Jewish journey.
Who You Are

• You may be an Orthodox rabbi, rabbinical student, maharat, or maharat student, rabbanit, or yoetzet halacha
• You may be a passionate, Jewishly knowledgeable person who spends their week in another field, who wants to have a positive impact on Jewish college students. 
• We welcome applications from individual educators, as well as co-educator teams interested in a joint role
• If you are drawn to this job and aren’t sure, please be in touch.

What You’ll Do

• Nurture the growth of the UMass observant community.
• Visit campus for 2-3 Shabbats per semester and for several fall chaggim (if available), supporting Hillel’s Shabbat community, including facilitating services and learning. 
• Teach and facilitate learning; create opportunities for meaningful engagement and growth through Jewish text and wisdom.
• Build meaningful relationships with students through pastoral care, chevruta learning, halachic support, and mentorship. 
• Support student interests, empowering them to explore their passions, ideas and grow as leaders.
• Partner with Hillel staff to ensure observant students have the resources to thrive at Hillel and on campus.
• The ideal candidate will have availability for ongoing student support remotely between visits on campus.   
• Potentially visit weekly or biweekly to lead Women’s Learning, depending on qualifications and availability.

Time commitment

• Approximately 2-3 Shabbatot each semester
• Mutually selected chaggim
• Availability to connect remotely with students between visits
• Periodic weekday learning, events, or student group support, dependent on the candidate and availability

What You’ll Bring

• A warm, engaging, approachable personality 
• Ability to serve as a role model and mentor to Orthodox students as well as a commitment to contributing to an inclusive, friendly, welcoming and pluralist Jewish community.
• A strong knowledge of Jewish content, ranging from traditional texts to contemporary Jewish wisdom. 
• An ability to make Jewish text and tradition accessible to students with a range of backgrounds and knowledge levels.
• Excitement to support college students and their journeys.
• Relevant previous experience in Jewish leadership or educational positions, experience in Hillel, youth movements, camping, experiential Jewish education, or grassroots community organizing within Modern Orthodox communities.

What You’ll Receive

• Compensation between $7,000-$10,000, dependent upon the agreed-upon scope of work  
• Housing and travel stipend for campus visits
• A dynamic network of colleagues, students, parents, and university partners 
• Opportunities for professional development.

Apply Here