Gratz College, Jewish Studies

Dr. Saul Philip Wachs Chair of Jewish Life and Learning

Dr. Saul Philip Wachs Chair of Jewish Life and Learning  

Job Description 

Gratz College invites applications for the Dr. Saul Philip Wachs Chair of Jewish Life and Learning. The full-time appointment is a joint administrative and non-tenured faculty (open rank) position and will commence on June 1, 2024, or shortly thereafter. The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Jewish Studies, Jewish Education, or a closely related field, and have a demonstrated exceptional record in research and pedagogy within the Jewish textual tradition. Candidates will have an established reputation, administrative leadership experience and possess a strong network of relationships with the constellation of agencies within the area of Jewish Studies and Jewish Education. 

Gratz College’s Department of Jewish Studies supports various online-based graduate level degree programs: Jewish Studies (M.A. and Ph.D.), Jewish Education (M.Ed.), and Jewish Professional Studies (M.S.). Students in this program share a passionate commitment for Jewish learning and its application for professional work and lifelong studies.    

The incoming Wachs Chair will grow these programs and advance the mission of the Department through strategic partnerships and coordinated philanthropic efforts with Gratz’s senior leadership. The Wachs Chair serves as the academic program director of the Department’s degree programs (in coordination with the Director of Nonprofit Management Programs) and will work with the Dean’s Office to manage student, faculty, and course-specific needs. The successful candidate will teach four courses per academic year.   

To apply, candidates will assemble a portfolio that includes a cover letter, indicating reasons for interest in this position, CV, evidence of excellence in scholarship (sample article or chapter) and a summary of recent teaching evaluations, a statement on teaching philosophy (that addresses online-based higher education), as well as contact information for two letters of reference. Applications may be submitted to facultysearch@gratz.edu. Position is open until filled; please submit a completed application by October 1, 2023. Competitive salary is commensurate with experience. 

Gratz College is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodation or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact facultysearch@gratz.edu.  

Responsibilities: 

• Teach four courses and mentor students in Jewish Studies, Jewish Education, and Jewish Professional Studies graduate degree programs. 

• Serve as a public intellectual and teacher for the Gratz community and beyond. 

• Oversee and develop degree programs in partnership with the Director of Nonprofit Management Programs. These include: Jewish Studies (M.A. and Ph.D.), Jewish Education (M.Ed.), and Jewish Professional Studies (M.S.).  

• Work with the Dean’s Office to manage student, faculty, and course-specific needs. This includes student advising and coordinating with the Dean’s Office on (a) Admissions, (b) Registrar, Financial Aid, (c) Bursar matters, (d) hiring of adjunct faculty, and (e) course scheduling.  

• Oversee all public-facing programming related to the Department of Jewish Studies in coordination with Gratz’s Director of Adult Jewish Learning. 

Experience: 

• Ph.D. in Jewish Studies/Jewish Education or related field. 

• Strong record of publications and public scholarship. 

• Department chair or a similar academic/administrative leadership position. 

• Strong record of innovative teaching, especially with online modalities, such as the Canvas LMS. 

• Strong record of non-degree programming (i.e., webinars, public lectures, non-degree certificate/micro credential programs). 

• Strong record of networking with constellation of agencies within the area of Jewish Studies and Jewish Education. 

Skills: 

• Collaborative work with faculty and staff in small college setting. 

• Comfortable with public speaking, outreach on behalf of Department of Jewish Studies and Gratz College. 

• Experience with budgeting and grant-writing (fundraising) process. 

• Management of staff members. 

• Familiarity with enrollment management field. 

Founded in 1895, Gratz College is the oldest independent and pluralistic Jewish college in North America. Its mission is to advance both education and applied Jewish wisdom for the benefit of a diverse student population, the Jewish community, and all people. The College achieves this mission through accredited degree programs, scholarship, and public engagement. Evolving from its roots as a Hebrew teacher’s college, Gratz today enrolls students of all backgrounds from across the world in a diverse range of online degree and certificate programs.