Teen JUST-US Summer Director

Teen JUST-US Boston

Summer Director 2023

Full Time Summer Position (10 weeks, June – mid-August)

Mission:

Teen JUST-US Boston seeks to foster strong commitment to social justice/tikkun olam (repairing the world) by engaging teens at a pivotal point in their lives.  We welcome young people with a range of connections to the Jewish community (from highly active to limited/no activity) and provide them with a life-changing summer experience.  Teens will have the opportunity be agents for change through a Jewish lens on social justice, connecting them to Judaism and Jewish peers.

Program:

15-20 rising high school juniors and seniors will participate in a six-week/five day per week summer program that is non-residential, providing an immersive social justice experience.

Interns will work three days per week with local organizations on pre-planned social justice project(s) and may also work with the organizations’ clients.  In addition, the participants will join together twice weekly for leadership development and hands-on service projects.  They will also participate in activities to build connection and welcome Shabbat together.

Impact:

Teen JUST-US Boston will build the next generation of Jewish leaders committed social service/social justice.

Through this experience, teens will:

• Establish a long-term commitment to social justice/tikkun olam
• Explore and deepen Jewish Identity
• Develop leadership skills
• Foster independence and confidence
• Contribute to host agencies’ mission

The Director will:

• Support Youth
• Ensure the safety, engagement, and development of all participants
• Build a cohesive group while respecting and encouraging broad perspectives, empowering/ educating participants and helping them develop their voice
• Encourage teens to explore social service/social justice, Jewish values, Jewish identity, and issues of interest to teens
• Supervise weekly field trips to organizations where the group will participate in social service projects/programs
• Provide guidance and support to teens, as needed
• Engage with Partner Sites
• Conduct site visits to our internship partners, meeting with internship supervisors/mentors and interns
• Provide guidance to internship site partners, as needed
• Ensure that mid-summer and final evaluations are completed; review evaluations with interns (and internship sites as needed)
• Lead/Support Learning
• Facilitate cohort learning (social justice through a Jewish lens, youth leadership development) on Wednesdays and Fridays
• Coordinate/co-lead Kabbalat Shabbat Services
• Provide advice, guidance, and feedback on curriculum content, guest speakers, and field trips
• Supervisory/Administrative Support
• Supervise the Program Coordinator (program alum) including guidance on social media and logistics tasks
• Supervise field trips
• Coordinate guest speakers/programs
• Support and provide feedback to the Executive Director on internship sites and intern experiences

Requirements:

• Knowledge of and experience with youth development; demonstrated ability to connect with teens and become a trusted mentor
• Experience leading Jewish teen programming/informal Jewish education
• Experience with social justice/social service programming
• Strong facilitation skills
• Team player; ability to work with young people, parents/caregivers, and community partners
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills
• BS/BA required; graduate work in Jewish education a plus