Summer Position at CYJ: Education Director

Camp Young Judaea-Texas is a Jewish, Zionist, summer camp part of the Young Judaea movement. We offer programs for kids in 1st-10th grade from a variety of Jewish backgrounds.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about Jewish Education, wants to be a part of a camp community, and able to get campers and staff excited about Jewish life in camp. The Education Director oversees both traditional and creative/alternative daily t’fillot and educational programs for each aidah(age group) and are responsible for the ritualistic and logistical aspects of Shabbat. This person will work with the rest of the staff in order to plan Shabbat each week considering how to make it fun and exciting and how to get the campers involved. They will work to improve the educational programs for each aidah, help staff learn how to best implement the programs, and serve as an educational resource throughout the summer. They will help create an environment where staff and campers engage in the growth of their Jewish identities.

Specific Responsibilities
Pre-Camp Preparation
a. Review past educational & t’fillot programs on the CYJ server
b. Build ideas and programs for improved education at Camp

Shabbat
a. Organize who will be leading services. Work with the Leadership team to decide what services will be offered, how they will be
implemented and who receives Torah service honors.
b. Havdallah: help lead shira shketa and Havdallah with the assistance of the Merakzim

Working with staff
a. Meet with merakzim (unit heads) during head staff training to review programs & aidah t’fillot
b. Meet with and run programs for counselors about educational peulot during staff week
c. Meet with staff before their peulot (programs) occur to be sure they are prepared

Jewish/Israel Programming
a. Ensure that all of camp knows when Jewish holidays occur & program accordingly
b. Create new Jewish & Israel learning opportunities for both staff and campers
c. Run a ‘lunch and learn’ or ‘buenos boker’ for the staff 2-3 times per session.
d. Work with the mishlachat (Israeli staff) to help bring Israel to camp

Educational/T’fillot Programs
a. Attend as many educational and t’fillot programs as possible during the day
b. Give feedback and support to staff members regarding their leading and implementing of their educational and t’fillot programs
c. Take notes and implement changes and improvements for second session and future years
d. Work with staff on implementing changes and new programs

Overall Leadership in Camp
a. Work with the other CYJ leadership in order to support the overall goals of camp
b. Help with all-camp events and programs
c. Bring a Jewish and Israel perspective to as many programs in camp as possible
d. Be a listening ear and advisor to the staff overall
e. Help in other areas of camp and with staff as needed this summer
f. Responsible for inventory and upkeep and reordering of all materials related to education such as siddurim, kippot, havdallah supplies etc.