T’ruah is seeking a temporary Guest Editor for Emor’s upcoming seasonal publication, Fragments, with a focus on the issue of democracy.
The ideal candidate is an experienced writer and editor who is skilled at working with writers across lines of difference (particularly when holding intersectional identities), and who is familiar with the evolving social, political, and religious conversations that are commanding discourse about Jewish perspectives on democracy.
Who We Are
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights brings the Torah’s ideals of human dignity, equality, and justice to life by empowering rabbis and cantors to be moral voices and to lead Jewish communities in advancing democracy and human rights for all people in the United States, Canada, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Emor: The Institute for Bold Jewish Thought is a project of T’ruah seeking to shift public narrative through thought leadership and storytelling.
To learn more about our work, visit www.truah.org or find us @truahrabbis on X and Facebook.
Fragments is Emor’s flagship project. Each issue of Fragments – distributed bi-annually and available both online and in print – tackles a critical question of the current social and political moment through a Jewish and progressive lens. Fragments endeavors to lift up diverse voices and perspectives in our evolving Jewish community, from established experts in the field to emerging and unexpected writers. Through a mixture of expository writing, creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and artwork, Fragments aims to enhance our understanding of the topic at hand and to shift public narrative about it.
To learn more about Emor, visit www.emorinstitute.org or find us @emorinstitute on X and Facebook.
What You’ll Do
The Guest Editor reports to the Emor Institute Director and will work with experts in their respective fields, contributors, and Emor staff to create a publication that reflects the values of the Institute and its ambition to provide a variety of answers to the questions tackled by this issue, Fragments: Democracy.
As Guest Editor, your work will proceed in three main stages:
- Outreach and planning: Assist the Emor staff in developing a draft table of contents. This includes fine-tuning the guiding question for our public call for submissions, brainstorming the core topics that should be included in the issue, and drawing on your networks and knowledge of the field to recommend outstanding contributors whom we should recruit.
- Editing: Edit each prose contribution (approximately 12, all told) for content and style, working on the article’s first, second, and final drafts. This includes ensuring there are no mistakes (of omission or commission) and that the author’s thesis/story comes across clearly and thoughtfully. You will consult with the authors as necessary to make essential edits to their pieces and you will consult with Emor editorial staff about individual pieces to provide status updates.
- Cohering: Assist the Emor editorial team in sequencing the pieces to form a sense of cohesion and flow within the publication. You will also have the opportunity to write an introduction to the issue.
- We may also ask your advice about outlets and opportunities for distribution that are particular to this topic or your expertise.
Who You Are & Keys to Success
To be successful in this role, you will be, are, or have:
- Outstanding written and communication skills, particularly in one’s ability to communicate complex ideas to lay audiences
- Ability to work comfortably and respectfully with contributors of diverse backgrounds, including specifically working with writers holding marginalized identities (people of color, LGBTQ people, etc.)
- Ability to edit at a range of levels, from helping writers clarify their argument and reshape overall structure to rewording clunky sentences, while respecting the voice of the writer. Proofreading and copy editing will be handled separately.
- Ability to work to a deadline and also to be flexible when authors respond late.
- Experience in writing about issues that fall within the intersection of democracy and Jewish values and tradition
- Experience in editing short and long form pieces that adhere to an academic or journalistic writing standard upheld in North American universities
- Familiarity with the evolving social, political, and religious conversations that are commanding discourse about Judaism, Jewish values, and Jewish perspectives on democracy
Systemic inequities in hiring have caused many women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people to apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If you don’t have all of the qualifications listed above but are an experienced writer and editor, passionate about our mission, and believe you have applicable and transferable skills from other industries, we encourage you to apply for this job. We’d love to hear from you. In your cover letter, be sure to explicitly highlight how your experience, skills, and personal qualities have set you up to succeed in the role.
What Else You Should Know
Status
The position is a part-time, temporary employee position.
Compensation
$100/hour, up to 35 hours for the entire project.
Projected Timetable
- December: Planning meetings
- Late January: Read pitches and consult with Emor staff on accepting/rejecting them
- March-June: Editing of first, second, and final drafts.
- End of June: Your introduction due
- Publication: Immediately after Labor Day
Location
The position is remote.
Compliance with Eligibility Verification Law
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
T’ruah is committed to DEI at every level of our organization, including our Board of Directors. For the past several years we have been actively working on becoming an antiracist organization. We have a set of organizational values reflecting this commitment.
Equal opportunity employer
T’ruah isn’t just an equal opportunity employer. We are actively seeking to build a diverse and inclusive team with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. T’ruah does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, personal appearance, family responsibility, political affiliation or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, transgender people, veterans and people of color are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
- Complete the informational form located here.
AND
- Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@truah.org. Please write “Guest Editor” in the subject line. Cover letters will be assessed as a writing sample; resumes without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls, please.
