Job Description

Noreen Cook Center for Early Childhood Education (NCCECE)

Har Zion Temple — Penn Valley, PA

Connect. Lead. Grow.

Har Zion Temple, a vibrant 700+ family synagogue located on Philadelphia’s historic Main Line, invites an exceptional early childhood leader to serve as Director of the Noreen Cook Center for Early Childhood Education (NCCECE).

As we celebrate over a century of leadership in the Conservative movement, Har Zion continues to thrive as a flagship institution of Jewish life and learning in the greater Philadelphia region. Our community is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation through joyful, inclusive, and meaningful Jewish education — and our preschool is at the very heart of that mission.

The NCCECE welcomes children from 1 year old through Gan (5 years old) and offers engaging early experiences such as Stay and Play , Baby Group , and Tot Shabbat . Together with our Har Zion Day Camp, these programs provide young families with their first taste of Jewish community and learning.

We’re proud of our Lundy Inclusivity Initiative, an endowed program ensuring that every child and family receives the multifaceted support they need to thrive. Our commitment to holistic development and accessibility is reflected in our newly reimagined outdoor campus, featuring two playgrounds, a hiking trail, the covered Sayer-Berkowitz Pavilion, and a beautiful in-ground pool.

At Har Zion, you’ll join a community with deep roots and forward-thinking vision — a place where multi-generational families and newcomers alike find a home filled with warmth, learning, and connection.

We are seeking a Director of Early Childhood Education who will:

• Lead the NCCECE with vision, warmth, and with an energetic, highly visible presence.
• Serve as an outgoing, vocal ambassador for the school — someone who actively engages families, builds meaningful relationships, and strengthens our sense of community.
• Foster a learning environment that inspires creativity, curiosity, and joy in both secular and Jewish studies.
• Partner collaboratively with synagogue clergy, staff, lay leaders, and families.
• Mentor and support an experienced team of educators to deliver high-quality, developmentally appropriate programs.
• Help grow and shape the future of NCCECE by attracting new families, retaining current ones, and elevating the overall experience for our community.
• Oversee key program areas, including the supervision of the Har Zion Day Camp Director.

• A dynamic, relationship-driven leader who is energized by being present, vocal, and deeply connected with children, families, and staff.
• An excellent communicator who builds trust, fosters community, and represents the school with clarity, warmth, and confidence.
• A skilled administrator in early childhood programming, with experience guiding teams, supporting educators, and creating joyful, developmentally appropriate learning environments.
• A forward-thinking and growth-oriented professional who brings fresh ideas, strengthens enrollment, and enhances the overall family experience.
• A team-minded collaborator who thrives in a synagogue environment where partnership across departments is essential.
• Ideally, a Master’s-level educator (or equivalent experience) with a strong background in early childhood education and Jewish learning environments.

You will not be doing this work alone. You will have a strong, experienced team that is invested in your onboarding and success. 

• Director of Lifelong Learning (DLL) – your direct supervisor, with prior experience leading the school.
• Director of Student Services – serves as Assistant Director.
• Marketing Department – to help you attract and retain families.
• Executive Director, and Operations Team – ensuring smooth logistics and well-equipped classrooms.
• Clergy and lay leadership – deeply committed partners in advancing Jewish education.
• Active parent organization (HSA) - event planning, fundraising, teacher appreciation and so much more.
• Educational Administrative Assistant

At Har Zion Temple, you’ll join a leadership team that works together to make a lasting impact on children, families, and the Jewish future.

If you are an experienced, passionate early childhood educator who finds joy in community, believes in inclusive Jewish learning, and wants to lead a thriving preschool into its next chapter — we want to meet you.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resumé and two professional references to rabbishawn@harziontemple.org.

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