Youth Engagement Specialist

Job Summary:

Kesher, the K-12 education program at Temple Israel, seeks an educational leader who will partner with our Associate Rabbi/Director of Education and Director of Experiential Education in serving as a role model for students, teens and families as well as in guiding educational change for the next generation of Jews.

Temple Israel is a vibrant, 1,000+ family, and growing congregation with a mission to draw from the depth and richness of Judaism to help one another thrive: building community and connection, cultivating awe and wonder, living with hope and purpose, offering healing and comfort, pursuing social justice.

The Youth Engagement Specialist will work to inspire young people in positive, educational, and community-based activities by creating meaningful connections with Temple Israel youth, serve as a mentor and Jewish leader to teens and cultivate Jewish engagement that will resonate through the rest of our teens’ Jewish lives. The role includes planning, implementing, and evaluating programs designed to explore Jewish culture and ritual, build leadership skills, and increase social engagement. 

This job will be a part-time, school year position, approximately 25 hours a week. The set weekly hours will be Sunday 8a-2p, Monday 12p-7p, Tuesday 2p-8p. There will be additional hours pending Hebrew class enrollment. Other hours will be variable based on the youth event schedule. Schedule will be provided in advance. During designated periods, such as High Holy Days, Purim, Chanukah, and other large community gatherings, there may be additional hours required. This person will be supervised by the Associate Rabbi/Director of Kesher.

Key Responsibilities:

This portfolio will be divided into 3 areas: Youth Programming, Madrichim (teen helpers) team oversight and engagement, and Teaching in the Kesher program. In addition to these core responsibilities, the Youth Engagement Specialist will serve as part of the Kesher leadership team and may be asked to complete other tasks as necessary.

Youth Programming:

1. Work under the Director of Experiential Education to develop and coordinate youth programs for children ages 5-18.
2. Co-advise Yofi BBYO, our teen youth group, which is hosted at Temple Israel.
3. Engage in youth outreach and recruitment activities.
4. Serve as a role model to synagogue youth.
5. Excite the next generation of Jewish youth.
6. Attend required training and workshops for BBYO and youth work.
7. Collaborate with the Temple Israel staff to encourage l’dor v’dor, intergenerational, programming.

Madrichim Oversight:

1. Partner with the Director of Kesher as well as the Director of Experiential Education in the implementation of madrichim (teen helpers) training.
2. Serve as mentor and support to the teens participating in the madrichim program.
3. Provide oversight to the drop-in madrichim groups on a day-to-day basis during Kesher hours.
4. Assist the Director of Experiential Education with interviews and training of new Madrichim.
5. Monitor and evaluate the progress of the madrichim program and participants, through informal observations.

Kesher Educator:

1. Teach in-person and virtual Hebrew classes to students in grades 3-7, based on the needs of the program.
2. Observe and assess Hebrew levels of students throughout the year.
3. Create and implement meaningful Hebrew lessons that excite students.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, youth development, Jewish studies or other related fields is strongly preferred.
• Experience: Previous experience working with youth in a community-based, camp, educational, or social service setting.
• Skills:
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to design and implement engaging, age-appropriate programming.
• Conflict resolution and crisis management abilities.
• Organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with Google suite and canva 

 Compensation

• Salary: $30-35k
• Flexible hours
• PTO: 10 Days
• Professional development
• Mentoring and the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment.