Synagogue Jobs in 2026: Careers at Shuls and Jewish Congregations

Synagogues are the anchor of every Jewish community — and behind every successful shul is a team of dedicated professionals who keep it running. From the executive director managing operations to the youth director running programs to the office manager handling member communications, synagogue jobs offer meaningful careers that directly serve the community you are part of.

What makes working at a shul unique is the environment. Your workplace is literally a house of prayer. The rhythm of your work follows the Jewish calendar. Your colleagues share your values. And the impact of your work — helping families celebrate simchas, supporting members through challenges, keeping the community connected — is visible every single day.

Top Synagogue Jobs in 2026

🏛️ Executive Director / Shul Administrator

The executive director manages the day-to-day operations of the synagogue — budgeting, staff management, facilities oversight, membership relations, and strategic planning. This is a leadership role that requires strong organizational skills, business acumen, and a deep understanding of community dynamics.

Salary: $60,000 – $120,000+ depending on shul size and location

🏢 Office Manager / Administrative Assistant

Office managers handle membership databases, correspondence, scheduling, phone calls, and day-to-day coordination. This is the most common synagogue job and is ideal for organized, detail-oriented candidates who enjoy serving the community. Bilingual (Yiddish/English or Hebrew/English) candidates are preferred.

Salary: $30,000 – $50,000

📚 Education Director / Youth Director

Education directors oversee the shul's learning programs — shiurim, children's programming, bar/bat mitzvah preparation, and adult education. Youth directors focus specifically on engaging young people through Shabbos programs, holiday events, and teen activities. These roles combine education skills with programming creativity.

Salary: $40,000 – $75,000

💰 Development Director / Fundraiser

Synagogues depend on donations and fundraising to fund operations, building projects, and programming. Development directors manage donor relationships, plan annual campaigns, organize events like dinner banquets and auctions, and write grant applications. Strong interpersonal skills and community connections are essential.

Salary: $45,000 – $85,000

🎤 Events Coordinator / Program Director

Events coordinators plan and execute shul events — kiddushim, holiday celebrations, community dinners, scholar-in-residence programs, and chesed initiatives. If you are creative, organized, and enjoy bringing people together, this is a rewarding synagogue job.

Salary: $35,000 – $60,000

💼 Bookkeeper / Financial Administrator

Synagogues need financial professionals to manage membership dues, donation tracking, payroll, budgeting, and tax compliance. If you have bookkeeping or accounting experience, this role offers stable employment at a community institution. See more Jewish finance jobs.

Salary: $35,000 – $55,000

🔧 Facilities Manager / Shamash

Facilities managers (sometimes called the shamash or sexton) oversee building maintenance, security, setup for davening and events, cleaning coordination, and vendor management. This hands-on role is essential to keeping the shul running smoothly.

Salary: $30,000 – $50,000

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Why Synagogue Jobs Are Uniquely Rewarding

Maximum Shabbos compatibility. No synagogue job will ever ask you to work on Shabbos in a way that violates halacha. The entire institution revolves around the Jewish calendar. Yom Tov, bein hazmanim, and Friday schedules are built into operations.

Deep community impact. Every task you complete — from organizing a kiddush to managing member communications to coordinating chesed programs — directly strengthens the community. Few careers offer this level of daily, visible impact.

Values-aligned workplace. Your colleagues share your commitment to Torah values. The workplace environment is inherently frum-friendly. You daven in the same building where you work.

Variety of roles. Synagogues hire for everything from administrative support to education to finance to facilities. Whatever your skill set, there is likely a shul role that matches it.

How to Find Synagogue Jobs

Browse YiddishJobs. Go to YiddishJobs and search for nonprofit, community, education, and administrative categories — many synagogue positions fall into these areas.

Contact shuls directly. Many synagogues hire through word of mouth and internal networks. If there is a specific shul you want to work at, call the office or speak with the rav. Expressing personal interest goes a long way in the shul hiring process.

Network through your community. Let your rabbi, gabbai, and shul board members know you are looking for work. Synagogue jobs are often filled through personal referrals before they are ever posted online.

Set up SMS alerts. When synagogue positions do appear on YiddishJobs, they fill quickly because the candidate pool is focused. Sign up for SMS job alerts so you hear about openings immediately.

Prepare your application. Synagogue employers value community involvement, reliability, and interpersonal skills alongside professional qualifications. Highlight your connection to the community, your volunteer experience, and your understanding of shul operations. Our career advice guide has resume tips.

Frequently Asked Questions About Synagogue Jobs

What types of synagogue jobs are available?

Executive directors, office managers, education directors, youth directors, fundraisers, events coordinators, bookkeepers, and facilities managers are all common synagogue roles. Both full-time and part-time positions exist depending on the size of the congregation.

How much do synagogue jobs pay?

Salaries range from $30,000 for administrative and facilities roles to $120,000+ for executive directors at large congregations. Education and development directors typically earn $40,000–$85,000. Pay depends heavily on shul size, location, and budget.

Do I need specific qualifications for synagogue jobs?

Requirements vary by role. Administrative and facilities positions require no formal education — just organizational skills and reliability. Education and development roles benefit from relevant experience. Executive director positions typically require management experience and strong community connections.

Are synagogue jobs Shabbos-friendly?

Absolutely. Synagogues operate around the Jewish calendar. All staff schedules accommodate Shabbos and Yom Tov by default. Some roles may involve Shabbos-day responsibilities (like a youth director running a children's program), but these are fulfilled within halachic guidelines.