I am an “elder millennial,” which means I have endured both the cultural shame of AOL instant messaging in college (how many variations of ‘gym, class, study’ can there be?) and the medical indignity of being called a geriatric mother during pregnancy.

I have also spent much of my career nestled within the Jewish community. I feel called to support Jewish life, and I feel a deep sense of comfort, safety and belonging when I work with other Jews (even with police stationed outside the buildings, but that’s another blog). There is a sweetness and ease in working alongside fellow Yidden, even when our community feels fractured, divided, exhausted, and, at times, challenging to be part of.

Still, I am proud to be a Jewish communal professional.

I am proud to fundraise for, support, and uplift my community. I know the work matters, even when it doesn’t always feel like it. I am committed to using my skills to increase belonging and connection in a rural state that needs a lot of love for its Jewish community. I am also grateful for my professional and Jewish friends who uplift me, share my passion, and remind me that it is okay to put down the fight once in a while.

I have also been fortunate to have mentors who have taken the time to support my work and encourage me. And, on the other side of the same coin, I have experienced some pain along the way, as many of us have.

There are beautiful blessings that come with being a “professional Jew,” or a “Jewish professional”: not having to use vacation time to honor the High Holy Days, finishing work early on Fridays before Shabbat, being surrounded by people who understand the rhythm of the Jewish year. But there are also unique challenges that make this work harder than many people realize.

If you work with, manage, or employ Jewish communal professionals, in Jewish or non-Jewish environments, I hope you will read on. These incredible humans show up over and over again in tired, wary, committed Jewish bodies because they want to serve. 

Here are some ways to truly support them:

Provide Real Mentorship

When hiring younger staff members, which all organizations should do,........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)