About Josh

Education

• M.A.J.E. (Jewish Education), Rhea Hirsch School of Education
  Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles, CA (2007)

• M.A.J.N.M. (Nonprofit Management), Zelikow School of Nonprofit Management
  Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles, CA (2007)

• B.A., Ripon College, Ripon, WI
  Majors in Politics & Government, Religion (2002)

Professional Experience

• Director of Communications

  Peninsula Temple Sholom, Burlingame, CA (August 2016–August 2017)

  Directed all internal and external organizational communications at a large, suburban Reform congregation.

  • Served as the synagogue’s primary graphic designer and promotions/marketing professional primarily responsible for ensuring vision- and mission-alignment of organizational communications efforts.
  • Managed all aspects of development and implementation of complete organizational rebranding, including creation of a new logo and selection of expanded color palettes and typographic styles.
  • Created and oversaw implementation of new templates for all synagogue communication (print, web, email, and digital signage).
  • Undertook strategic assessment of organizational communications “ecosystem.” In response, created new quarterly magazine (and made changes to monthly print bulletin) to address observed shortcomings, maximize staff resources, and improve the efficacy of communication and event promnotion.
  • Worked with local printing press to increase quality and decrease cost of printed (and mailed) materials.
  • Collaborated closely with lay leaders and other synagogue staff — especially senior staff (department heads) and committee chairs — to ensure efficacy of all print and digital communications as well as efficiency of communications workflow.

• Founder & Principal

  The Motech Agency (March 2014–July 2016)

  Founded and served as primary staff of a design agency and technology consultancy serving synagogues and other Jewish organizations and aimed at helping clergy, professionals, and lay leadership to employ innovative solutions that improve their capacity to do their sacred work.

  • Built or redesigned websites for several organizations and individuals, including the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Congregation Beth Jacob (Redwood City, CA), and Rabbi Paul Kipnes.
  • Provided streaming video production and systems implementation for numerous organizations, including Peninsula Temple Beth El (San Mateo, CA) and the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
  • Served as a consultant on media strategy and technology implementation for multiple congregations, including Congregation Shalom (Milwaukee, WI) and Congregation Beth Jacob (Redwood City, CA).

• Director of Congregational Learning

  Temple Emanu-El, San Jose, CA (July 2013–June 2014)

  Managed religious school, youth group, and other educational programming at a small Reform synagogue.

  • Collaborated with youth leaders to reinvigorate madrichim program and senior youth group, and oversaw interior renovation of the youth lounge.
  • Served as staff liaison to lay Technology and Communications committees. Advised congregational “rebranding” process. Oversaw initial stages of Drupal-based website redesign.

• Webmaster & IT Consultant

  B’nai Mitzvah Revolution (January 2012–July 2014)

  Developed and maintained web presence and online learning/collaboration tools for B’nai Mitzvah Revolution, a fledgling organization and joint project of HUC-JIR and the URJ’s Campaign for Youth Engagement.

  • Coordinated all aspects of Wordpress-based website design, deployment, and maintenance.
  • Created online tools for inter-synagogue learning and collaboration.
  • Designed organizational branding including logo, identity, and standards for visual style.

• Director of Congregational Learning

  Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles, CA (July 2010–June 2013)

  Oversaw all aspects of k–12 education in an 1100-household synagogue, including supervision of three full-time professionals and 45 part-time teachers, curriculum oversight, and program implementation.

  • Partnered with lay leadership, clergy, and other stakeholders in articulating educational mission for the congregation and implementing re-imagined programming aligned with vision.
  • Led task-force of lay leaders, clergy, and professional staff to spearhead synagogue-wide initiatives focused on re-thinking b’nai mitzvah ceremonies, preparation, and celebration.
  • Created new communication assets for congregational education initiatives including redesigned religious school website, weekly bulletin emails, video promos, and printed brochures.
  • Utilized data analysis to increase the efficacy of the synagogue’s email communications, including raising email read- and click-rates by over 50-percent.
  • Oversaw redesign of synagogue’s monthly print (mailed) newsletter.

Skills & Professional Expertise

Recent Volunteer Experience

Pro-Bono Professional, San Francisco Jewish Community Federation Pro Bono Consulting Practice (2014–present)

Member of the Board of Directors - The Association of Reform Jewish Educators (2010–2017)

ARJE/NATE Continuing Education Committee (2008–2013)

Guest Faculty - URJ Camp Newman (2007–2015)

Conference Committee Member - Bi-Annual NATE Conference (2008, 2010, 2012)

Member of Mazkirut (senior staff) - CAJE 33 Conference (2008)

Graphic Designer and Curriculum Advisor - Progressive Jewish Alliance (2007)

Publications

• “Smashing the Idolatry of ‘Jewish Identity’” in Torah at the Center Vol. 13, Iss. 2. (URJ, 2010)

• “The Reform Movement Should Make the Most of this Moment” in JewPoint0 (Darim Online, 2009)

• Artzeinu: An Israel Encounter (Torah Aura, 2008)

  A book for upper elementary school students designed to develop connection to the “real” Israel. Features innovative wiki-based teacher’s resources. Reviewed in The Forward (August, 2008).

• God: Jewish Choices for Struggling with the Ultimate (Torah Aura, 2007)

  A book for high-school students exploring Jewish answers to seventeen questions about theology.

Affiliations

• Professional Photographers of America (2014–present)

• Association of Reform Jewish Educators / National Association of Temple Educators (2007–2017)

• Jewish Educators Assembly (2007–2012)

• American Copy Editors Society (2000–2002)

Speaking & Teaching Engagements

• Spertus College, Chicago, IL (2015)

• Limmud, Coventry, UK (2014)

• National Association of Temple Educators Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ (2012)

• Jewish Educators Assembly Annual Conference, College Park, MD (2010)

• JESNA Think Tank on the Future of Jewish Education, New York, NY (2009)

• Westchester Association of Temple Educators Kallah, New Rochelle, NY (2009)

• Leadership Institute for Congregational Educators, New York, NY (2009)

• Institute for Southern Jewish Life Education Conference, Jackson, MS (2008, 2009)

Portfolio

Peninsula Temple Sholom

B’nai Mitzvah Revolution

CCAR Convention Site

CCAR Streaming Video

Rabbi Paul Kipnes

“The Isaian”

Ordinary & Sacred

Food for Mind, Body, & Spirit

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