Malkhut's Youth Institute of Spirituality and Action: Educator
Organization:
Malkhut is a 5-year-old start up progressive Jewish spiritual community in Western Queens (LIC, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Woodside). We engage in music, contemplative prayer, mindfulness meditation through a Jewish lens, text study, and social justice work. Our vision is to build an open, inclusive community of spiritual seekers, especially for those who may not have found a home in more conventional religious settings, including Jewish individuals of all ages, families with kids, interfaith couples, Jews of color, LGBTQ folks, and curious seekers. We meet in rental spaces across Western Queens, and currently conduct our gatherings on Zoom. Our goal for the 2021-2022 Academic Year is to transition into an in-person learning model.
Malkhut’s Youth Institute of Spirituality and Action:
Malkhut’s Youth Institute of Spirituality and Action focuses on fostering a spiritual, mindful, and socially
engaged Jewish community, beginning with its children. The Youth Institute meets on the first and third
Saturday mornings of every month for children of mixed ages, from birth to 7th grade. In addition to our bi-monthly Shabbat morning gatherings, we also offer holiday programming and informal meet-ups. We are devoted to exploring the diversity and plurality of what it means to be Jewish and aim to do so through creating an inclusive and collaborative space. With a growing community of children at Malkhut, we are excited for the future!
Position:
Malkhut is seeking an educator, or madricheh (the gender-neutral Hebrew word for “guide”), to lead bi- monthly sessions for the Youth Institute. Specifically, Malkhut is looking for a madricheh for our Kindergarten through 5th grade student population. Our students will be split up into three sections (this position is only responsible for one of these sections):
• Kindergarten & 1st Grade (Shtilim)
• 2nd & 3rd Grade (Anafim)
• 4th & 5th Grade (Mekhinim)
The madricheh will report directly to the Youth Institute Coordinator to discuss programmatic goals and learn about how to align their teaching methodologies with Malkhut’s spiritual vision. While a general curriculum will be provided, the Youth Institute is a collaborative effort, and the madricheh will have the flexibility and freedom to infuse their pedagogy and passions into their lessons. The madricheh’s main areas of focus will be in teaching Jewish holidays, with an emphasis on Jewish culture, values, diversity, and social justice.
Time and Compensation:
The Youth Institute takes place on the first and third Saturday of each month, beginning October 16th and ending June 18th (15 sessions). These sessions last a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes, beginning at 9:30 AM and ending at 11:45 AM. In addition, there may be opportunities to participate in and lead programming for holiday celebrations. Preparation for sessions, as well as scheduled meetings with the Youth Institute Coordinator and other Malkhut staff are also included within the madricheh’s time. We are offering a range of $180-$200 per session (including preparation and teaching) based on experience and training. Given the current situation surrounding the pandemic, time and schedule are likely to fluctuate depending on whether programming remains online or transitions to in-person. Our physical space is located at Community United Methodist Church in Jackson Heights.
Responsibilities:
1. Teach lessons steeped in Jewish diversity, social justice, and Jewish values on the first and third Saturday of every month for a select cohort of children (15 sessions).
2. Prepare lesson plans, with the aid of the Youth Institute Coordinator.
3. Attend a brief monthly check-in with the Youth Institute Coordinator to track the curriculum’s progress, discuss any material needs, and participate in any pedagogical training as needed.
4. Attend one meeting in June with the Youth Institute Coordinator, other madrichim, and Rabbi to evaluate the year’s program.
5. Communicate with parents.
6. Prepare for and lead holiday programming as needed (optional).
Qualifications:
• Experience teaching in a non-traditional learning environment
o Familiarity with liberal Jewish spiritual/religious education
▪ Hebrew proficiency or interest in Hebrew teaching is a plus!
▪ Familiarity and comfort with Jewish music education is a plus!
o Commitment to social justice education
o Inquiry-based, storytelling, and arts-based pedagogical approaches are a plus!
• Ease and passion for working with young children
• Interest in the creative process of building programming in a start-up Jewish spiritual
community
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Live in or near Western Queens
• Able to work remotely and in-person
• Identify with the mission of Malkhut (https://www.malkhutqueens.org/p/about-us.html)
• Humor, flexibility, and adaptability, which are needed more than ever in this pandemic moment
Women, LGBTQ individuals, Jews of color, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to
apply.
If interested in Malkhut’s Youth Institute for Spirituality and Action – Educator position, please send
your resume and cover letter to the Youth Institute Coordinator. Please specify which age group you
are most interested in working with, as well as your commitment to and experiences regarding social
justice education.