BACKGROUND
The Organization
Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), founded in 1999 by Rabbi Avi Weiss, is a rabbinical school, Beit Midrash, and Torah center that serves as the spiritual home for an open and inclusive Orthodoxy. With a goal to train and support rabbis and to connect communities through a Torah deeply rooted in contemporary life, YCT envisions a Jewish world enriched by spiritually vibrant Orthodox communities and leadership.
Through, its Semikha program, Jewish Educators and Leadership Certificate program, Israeli rabbinical program, and others, YCT develops rabbis and Jewish educators with strong pastoral skills, a love of learning, and deep Torah knowledge. To date, YCT has trained over 200 rabbis serving in communities worldwide, including 60 rabbis and rabbaniyot trained in Israel.
Since its founding, YCT has championed an Orthodoxy that values welcoming and inclusive communities, women’s maximal participation, bridge-building across the Jewish community, intellectual openness, support of Israel, and a commitment to a better world for all people. As current President Rabbi Dov Linzer steps down to focus on his role as YCT’s Rosh HaYeshiva, the organization is seeking a President and visionary leader to work alongside the Board of Directors and the Rosh HaYeshiva to refine its vision and strategy and to expand its reach and impact.
The Position
Reporting to the Board of Directors, this President will be responsible for articulating and setting the organizational vision and growth strategy for YCT. The President will develop strategies and initiatives that strengthen YCT and shape its future direction as a rabbinical training institution and a center of advanced Torah learning in both the United States and Israel. By engaging both internal and external stakeholders including alumni, faculty and staff, students, and current and prospective donors, the President will cultivate relationships across YCT’s community. Donor engagement and stewardship will be a high priority in this position, and the President will play a key role in driving a development plan that supports the organization’s sustainability and long-term growth. Through visionary leadership, the President will mentor and inspire the professional staff, promoting a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Strategic Vision and Leadership
· Partner with senior leadership and key stakeholders to shape and communicate a clear, cohesive vision that drives all aspects of YCT’s work
· Define strategic priorities and lead a shift toward long-term institutional sustainability and impact
· Ensure all programs and initiatives align with YCT’s mission and goals, enhancing effectiveness and coherence across the organization
· Strengthen YCT’s visibility and influence by developing a compelling narrative and elevating YCT’s alumni and faculty
· Anticipate and respond to evolving needs in the Jewish and educational landscape through thoughtful planning and capacity building
· Engage and activate the Board of Directors and lay leadership through transparent communication and strategic collaboration
Institutional Advancement
· Cultivate and sustain relationships with key stakeholders, community leaders, and mission-aligned organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration and amplify YCT’s impact
· Strengthen fundraising infrastructure and practices, while building a broader base of philanthropic support through strategic engagement of major donors, institutional funders, and partners
· Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute a multi-year development strategy aligned with organizational priorities
· Deepen alumni engagement through targeted outreach, community-building efforts, and strategic support initiatives
· Build networks across the Jewish communal landscape to support student recruitment and placement, program development, and institutional partnerships
Organizational Management
· Lead a high performing executive team and foster alignment across departments and initiatives
· Provide financial and operational oversight and implement strategies that enhance efficiency and resource allocation
· Foster a warm, inclusive, and mission-driven organizational culture
Year Founded
Budget
Rabbis in the Field
1999
$3.5M
200+
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for the CEO position possesses the following competencies:
Qualifications
· Deep personal commitment to Torah and the mission of YCT, with the ability to articulate and advance a bold, inspiring vision rooted in its founding values
· Proven leadership experience with a track record of strategic thinking, innovation, and operational excellence in mission-driven organizations
· Strong relationship-builder with exceptional communication skills; able to engage and unify diverse stakeholders including donors, alumni, students, faculty, and communal leaders
· Effective fundraiser and institutional ambassador with demonstrated success in development, partnership-building, and organizational advancement
· Collaborative team leader with strong management skills and the ability to motivate, support, and grow high-performing teams
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Yeshivat Chovevei Torah offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package for this role. The salary range is $300,000-$350,000. The benefits package includes an “as needed” PTO program, paid state and Jewish holidays, professional development funds, health insurance, and other benefits coverage.
TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS
If you are interested in this position, please click here. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined above. If you are selected to move forward for an initial screening call, we expect you to hear from us by November 15th.
Dara Klarfeld
President and CEO
Merav Schwartz
Associate Talent Consultant