At Adamah, we believe in the deep connection between people and planet, adam and adamah. Our mission is to create vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the Earth, catalyzing culture change and systemic change through Immersive Retreats, Jewish Environmental Education, and Climate Action. Every day, we inspire and empower youth, teens, families, and leaders through programs that deeply interweave Jewish tradition and the natural world, creating diverse and inclusive communities, and building a more sustainable future.
The Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM), a program of Adamah, is a Gen Z-led movement dedicated to combating climate change and environmental injustice from a Jewish lens. Our goal is to make taking collective action towards climate justice a central, defining feature of what it means to be Jewish over the next decade, empowering the next generation of Jewish youth to be leaders in our fight to build a sustainable and equitable world for all.
The JYCM LA Kvutzah Coordinator will facilitate network- and community-building opportunities for LA-based JYCM Kvutzot (local chapters) and provide resources about climate-focused community engagement (including education and action)nine new Kvutzot in the first year across Los Angeles, in addition to our existing one (the Shalom Institute Kvutzah); oversight of our LA-based Climate Activism Series training, supporting the JYCM LA regional teen leadership, coordinating and facilitating regional gatherings, and ensuring smooth implementation of logistics as related to national retreats. The LA Kvutzah Coordinator works closely with the Kvutzah Working Group, and the Kvutzah Director (a member of the teen Executive Board), as well as the JYCM staff team. The LA Kvutzah Coordinator will also work closely with partner organizations such as the Shalom Institute and other JOFEE (Jewish, Outdoor, Food, Farming, and Environmental Education) organizations in the area to support network-wide events, activities, programming, and engage in thought partnership and community building efforts.
There will be opportunities and an expectation to work closely with the Adamah on Campus Student Organizer, particularly supporting Southern California campuses with groups off the ground, working with key partner organizations and Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, to ensure synergy and collaboration across projects.
This position immediately and will be mostly remote, based out of LA, with potential travel to San Diego and Orange County. Some overnight, weekend, and week-long travel will also be necessary to attend national retreats and programs that are relevant to your position and to the JYCM team.
During your time at Adamah, you will be supervised by the JYCM Director, and your activities will include:
Support the expansion and improvement of Kvutzot in LA
- Support in building the JYCM LA Kvtuzah strategy, which will include investing deeply in Kvutzot we already have, growing at a sustainable and equitable pace, building Kvutzot support systems and networks, and emphasizing communication and community building in the target region.
- Recruit and provide support to local Jewish teens, facilitate network- and community-building opportunities for LA-based Kvutzot and provide resources about sustainability and climate-focused community engagement to affiliated Jewish institutions.
- Hold informational meetings with teens or institutions who indicate interest in starting Kvutzot. If they decide they would like to, closely support them in the creation of a Kvutzah.
- Support the team of JYCM leaders as they welcome new Kvutzot.
- Create and implement systems to support Kvutzot as they grow, develop, and troubleshoot. This includes developing a Kvutzah buddy system, matching each Kvutzah with a leadership point-person, and building integrated networks for Kvutzot to organize together in a supportive community.
- Plan programs, events, regional gatherings, meetups, and activities to happen in the target region, for the LA Kvutzah Cohort
- Support monthly national calls for all Kvutzah leaders, which include welcoming and onboarding new leaders and creating a space for bonding and learning.
- Help develop a training, guide, and optional community of practice for adult mentors on centering youth leadership in Kvutzot.
- Help plan and implement a few in person retreats/conferences throughout the year (e.g. three-five in person events, one regional gathering, and at least one national retreat)
- Center equity and inclusion in all Kvutzah work.
Communications, Marketing, and Systems Support:
- Continue to foster communication between Kvutzot and the Leadership Board, through avenues such as a Kvutzah newsletter and monthly Updates Form.
- Maintain the spreadsheet and folders with information about LA Kvutzot, and keep Salesforce updated.
- Identify potential members, track membership, and maintain engagement with members and prospective members alike.
- Encourage LA Kvutzah members to share pictures of activities they’re doing, write blog posts, and engage with JYCM’s social media to further develop our public branding and image.
- Support JYCM Marketing and Communications needs, including working with the Communications Working Group and helping to create strong communications strategies for the movement.
Helpful prior skills and experience include:
- Experience working with youth as an educator, counselor, or youth advisor
- Strong communication and teamwork abilities
- Strong administration and Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft SharePoint, and Salesforce experience
- Ability to multitask and hold multiple projects at once
- Self-starter, ability to self-motivate and work on solo projects as needed
- Strong attention to detail as well as ability to hold a big-picture view
- Commitment to deadlines and task completion
- Organizing and movement-building skills experience a plus
- Retreat, conference, or event planning and coordination a plus
- Marketing and communication skills a plus