Jewish Gay Network receives grant, creates new position

The Jewish Gay Network of Michigan (JGN) recently announced that they have been selected to receive a grant from Keshet to support The Shalem Education Project: A National Program for Jewish Safe Schools and Supportive Communities. JGN has begun a search for a project manager to oversee this program and work with volunteers on other JGN projects.
They are looking for an outstanding, proactive individual to fill the newly-created project director position. This position is supported by the two-year grant from Keshet, which works for the full support and inclusion of LGBT Jews in Jewish life. The position will be continued based upon successful fundraising and program outcomes.
The project director will work closely with JGN volunteer leadership on several levels. One facet of the job will be community education and programming, including Implementing the Shalem Education Project and planning other high-quality educational, cultural and social programs. The project director will also work on community organizing and leadership development, which will involve engaging the Jewish community on issues of LGBT inclusion and cultivating volunteer leadership. Other duties will include developing a strategy for fundraising and sustained capacity building beyond the two-year Keshet grant, as well as communicating the activities of JGN through its Web site, e-mail distribution lists, media and other venues.
The ideal candidate for the job, according to JGN, would have a bachelor's degree and previous experience as either a volunteer or staff person in the Detroit Jewish community working with volunteers, professionals and clergy.
The individual should also posses strong knowledge of Jewish life, the ability to represent the inclusion of Jewish LGBTs in communal affairs and knowledge of and great curiosity about all aspects of the LGBT community.
The JGN project director should have the ability to empower others, to work as a team player and to facilitate group processes and the success of others. They should demonstrate the capacity and desire to work in a pluralistic Jewish environment where sexual orientation and real or perceived gender identity is an important practiced value. Lastly, JGN would like to find a self-starter with a pioneering spirit and the drive to achieve measurable progress toward meaningful social change.
The mission of JGN is to serve all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews, their families and friends by providing community, information, empowerment and education in an environment of respect.
Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2008 to Gina Horwitz, chair of the JGN search committee at [email protected].
For more information, visit http://www.jgnmi.org.