Chief Executive Officer- Portland, Maine

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine-Portland, Maine Summary

The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (JCA), a combined agency of Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Services, seeks an exemplary community-minded and collaborative chief executive to provide visionary leadership and excellent organizational oversight, build philanthropic support, and further the mission of the JCA:
Rooted in Jewish values, history, and our connection to Israel, the Jewish Community Alliance cultivates and sustains a welcoming and thriving Jewish community in Maine, and strives to build a better world for all.

• be a dynamic and inspirational leader,
• excel in building authentic, lasting relationships,
• have a proven track record of successful fundraising and fiscal management.

The CEO will lead with empathy, competence, and trust, maintaining a positive culture of staff productivity, and promoting open communications, clear expectations, collaborative teamwork, and accountability.

The JCA is the vibrant hub of Jewish programming in Portland and Southern Maine with 32 full-time and 13 part-time staff members. The JCA’s striking, contemporary 20,000 square foot building features an NAEYC-accredited early childhood center, dedicated Jewish Family Services wing, a large social hall, kosher-style kitchen, and a library. The JCA also maintains a spectacular 22-acre day camp located on Sebago Lake in Windham.

In addition to preschool and camp, JCA programs and services include after-school care; educational programs for children and adults; clubs and groups; volunteer opportunities; wellness activities; community programs; PJ Library;
Jewish family services;
Jewish Community Relations Council; and so much more.

For this fiscal year, the JCA has a $4.5 million operating budget. In 2024-25, the annual campaign raised over $713,000, 115% of our goal, a 14.4% increase from 2023, and a 45.5% increase from 2020. In just the first quarter of our current fiscal year, we have over $459,000 in the door, with an additional $15,000 in open pledges–62% to goal!

The JCA’s annual campaign funds JCA programs and other organizations in Maine and Israel with a focus on interfaith outreach, Israel advocacy and connections, combating antisemitism, and other key initiatives.

With our recently updated mission, vision, and values, and guided by values rooted in Jewish tradition, the JCA practices radical inclusivity and is a safe, non-judgmental space for all. Our community is incredibly diverse, and we welcome families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and identities.

The Jewish Community Fund of Maine (JCFM) is a newly established supporting organization to the JCA, focused on grantmaking for Jewish education, Jewish social and welfare programs, and outreach programs to promote Jewish traditions and values. The Fund was created this year from a transformational gift from Dr. Alfred and Dorothy Suzi Osher, enabling new opportunities for the Jewish community to thrive and innovate.

In recent years, the Portland Jewish Community has experienced significant growth with many Jewish professionals, families, and active retirees relocating from larger cities. The 2024 Maine Jewish Community Study notes that there are approximately 10,600 Jewish households in Maine, including 28,100 individuals, 19,100 of whom are Jewish, a significant increase from the 2007 estimate of 12,000.

Portland and its surrounding communities are home to modern orthodox, conservative, reform, Chabad, unaffiliated and independent congregations, a Jewish day school, and a kosher-style kitchen at the JCA. Local grocers stock a variety of kosher foods, and, in advance of major holidays, the JCA helps organize and subsidizes a group delivery of products from a Brookline, MA kosher market and butcher.

Portland is also home to the Maine Jewish Museum, an exploration of Maine’s Jewish history and art, and the Maine Jewish Film Festival, a celebration of filmmaking and inspiring conversation through the…