POSITION TITLE: Early Childhood Jewish Educator
DEPARTMENT: Office of Jewish Life
SUPERVISED BY (TITLE): Office of Jewish Life
Job Summary
The Early Childhood Jewish Educator helps create a joyful, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate Jewish environment throughout the Early Childhood Learning Center and summer camp programs. This position works directly with children and collaborates with teaching staff to integrate Jewish values, traditions, holidays, music, blessings, prayer, and cultural experiences into daily programming.
The Jewish Educator serves as a resource and mentor to teachers, helping them build confidence in incorporating Jewish life and traditions into their classrooms. Through music, storytelling, movement, art, and hands-on experiences, this position helps children develop a sense of connection, belonging, and familiarity with Jewish life and culture.
During the summer, this position leads Kabbalat Shabbat for all camp programs and develops and facilitates Tarbut, a cultural enrichment program focused on Jewish and Israeli heritage, arts, culture, and community values. The ideal candidate is warm, creative, enthusiastic, and passionate about creating joyful Jewish experiences for children of all ages.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and lead engaging, age-appropriate Jewish learning experiences for preschool and camp-aged children.
- Teach and reinforce Jewish blessings, songs, prayers, holidays, traditions, customs, symbols, and values through music, storytelling, art, movement, dramatic play, and hands-on activities.
- Foster a strong sense of Jewish identity, connection, community, and belonging among children.
- Collaborate with Early Childhood teaching staff to integrate Jewish learning, values, rituals, and traditions into daily classroom experiences.
- Serve as a resource and mentor to teachers, providing ideas, support, and encouragement for incorporating Jewish life and culture into their classrooms.
- Help teachers create classroom environments that reflect Jewish values, culture, holidays, and traditions.
- Support and participate in Jewish holiday celebrations, special programs, and community events.
- Model joyful and authentic engagement with Jewish traditions and practices.
- Lead meaningful and joyful Kabbalat Shabbat experiences for all camp programs, adapting activities for different age groups.
- Develop and lead Tarbut, a cultural enrichment program exploring Jewish and Israeli heritage, arts, culture, traditions, and community values.
- Create engaging Tarbut activities that may include music, art, storytelling, dance, crafts, and exploration of Jewish and Israeli culture.
- Collaborate with the Early Childhood Director, Youth and Camp Director, and teaching teams to strengthen Jewish education and cultural experiences across programs.
- Contribute to the overall mission, values, and Jewish identity of the Early Childhood Learning Center and broader organization.
Education, Training, and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required; degree or additional education in Jewish education, early childhood education, education, music, or a related field preferred.
- Experience working with preschool and/or school-aged children in an educational, camp, synagogue, or community setting preferred.
- Strong familiarity with Jewish holidays, traditions, customs, symbols, blessings, prayers, and music.
- Comfort leading Jewish rituals, blessings, songs, and Shabbat experiences with children.
- Familiarity with Jewish and Israeli culture, heritage, arts, and traditions.
- Passion for Jewish education and creating joyful, meaningful experiences for children of varying ages.
- Creative, enthusiastic, and engaging approach to working with children and adults.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to adapt Jewish learning and cultural experiences to the developmental needs of different age groups.
- Comfortable actively participating in singing, movement, art, storytelling, and hands-on activities.
- Reliable and flexible, with the ability to work approximately 10–12 hours per week, with additional hours as needed for camp programming and special events.
Physical Demands
- Ability to stand, sit on the floor, and remain active for extended periods.
- Ability to actively participate in singing, movement, art, storytelling, and hands-on activities with children.
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.
- Ability to remain active, engaged, and attentive throughout the workday.
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
