Judaica and Hebrew Teachers, 2021-22 School Year

Congregation Emanu-El’s Youth and Family Education (YFE) programs are seeking Judaic and Hebrew teachers for our preschool-high school supplementary program for this coming school year of 2021-2022. Please find a description of our program at Youth and Family Education – Congregation Emanu-El (https://www.emanuelsf.org/education/youth-and-family/).

Who We Are: Congregation Emanu-El is a vibrant, sacred Jewish community that is essential in the lives of our congregants. We are dedicated to connecting members with their Judaism and history at the highest level and bringing Jewish values to life in meaningful and inspiring ways. We do this by deepening spirituality (avodah), increasing Jewish literacy (Torah), connecting with Israel and Jews around the world, engaging as community within our congregation and across the Bay Area through worship, learning, good deeds (g’milut hasadim) and congregant-to-congregant connection.

Youth and Family Education Vision: Youth and Family Education (YFE) is where students and families come together as a community to ask and wrestle with life’s really big questions. We celebrate in community, knowing that sharing our joyous times makes life’s special moments even sweeter. And having support during the tough times makes them bearable.

Who We Are Seeking: We are seeking individuals who have a passion for Jewish education and working with children. An affinity for working as a team and an eagerness to learn and grow as a professional is essential to becoming a teacher for YFE. Hours are dependent upon pathway. Our teaching year begins on September 12, 2021, and we’re holding teacher training and orientations starting in August. Additional teacher in-service sessions and meetings are held throughout the year.

Positions available:

Hebrew Teacher - Hebrew classes are held on Sunday (1:00-2:00 pm), Monday (4:00-6:30 pm), Tuesday in Marin (3:30-6:30 pm), and Thursday (4:00-6:30 pm)

YFE Kadimah Teacher (Outdoor Program) - Kadimah meets on Sunday mornings from 9 am – 1 pm.
Kadimah is an outdoor education pathway for Pre-K through 2nd grade with an emphasis on the arts, kehillah (community) and tikkun olam (repairing a broken world). Our curriculum, though guided, is rooted in experience and co-constructivism. Our hope is to spark sicha (conversations) that bring our learning home.

YFE Kesher Teacher (Indoor Program) - Judaic classes meet on Sunday mornings (9:00 – 11:45) and Wednesday afternoons (4:00-6:30). Paid prep time is offered such that on Sundays, teachers’ work hours are 8:30-12:30. On Wednesdays teachers work from 3:30 – 6:30.
Each grade’s nurturing teams of teachers guide children in fun and meaningful learning experiences, while always building a safe and supportive environment where different viewpoints will be accepted and explored. The children will participate in a wide range of age-appropriate learning activities covering history, values, holidays, Israel, Torah, and more as they delve into and celebrate the richness of being Jewish in San Francisco in the 21st century.

6th Grade Teacher – 14 online sessions and 7 in person sessions supporting instruction by clergy regarding the Shabbat service on Shabbat mornings.
The 6th Grade program focuses on three topic areas and integrates with students’ preparation to become B’nei Mitzvah: 1) Jewish textual sources including the three sections of the Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets and Writings), and major works of Oral Torah (seven weeks taught by instructor), 2) understanding of the prayer service (seven sessions taught by clergy) and 3) B’nei Mitzvah specific whole family instruction about, for example, the meaning of becoming B’nei Mitzvah and reading a Torah portion for meaning (seven sessions taught by clergy).

7th Grade Teacher – 7th grade is taught on Wednesday afternoons. Part of this position involved significant prep hours for planning a new pilot program.
Students in seventh grade will participate in Mitzvah Corps – working in groups to cook, volunteer at St. Anthony’s, and other service projects. In addition, students will meet on Wednesdays to explore issues of Jewish identity and plan a philanthropic project as a group.

9th Grade Teacher – Taught in person on Sunday mornings from 10:30 – 12:00 pm, twice per month. The 9th grade program focuses on the history of Israel and the Holocaust.

Our teaching year begins on September 12, and we’re holding teacher training and orientations starting in August. Additional teacher in-service sessions and meetings are held throughout the year.

Ideal candidates will have teaching experience in a Jewish or secular educational setting, enthusiasm for working with children, passion, humor, flexibility, and a demonstrated commitment to Judaism. We’re looking for folks who can implement creative, experiential, innovative learning experiences to meet the needs of diverse learners. Most YFE classes are taught by a team consisting of a lead teacher, assistant teacher, and madrichimot (the nonbinary term for teen leaders who have been through our training program). Our program features a fun and engaging group T’fillah as well as art and music specialists. We would love for you to consider joining our team.

We anticipate returning to campus for in-person learning, following COVID-19 protocols.

We offer competitive pay; wonderful children; supportive, appreciative families; and friendly colleagues!