Summary:  

BESTY is Beth El Synagogue’s Shabbat morning program for kindergarten – 4^th grade students. The goal of the program is to provide a fun and engaging environment for students to engage with their friends, with Judaism, and with Shabbat culture at Beth El. We teach Torah and Jewish values in an age-appropriate way using games, Shabbat-friendly crafts, and stories. BESTY runs from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Shabbat throughout the school year and is free for all participants.   

BESTY Program Staff are responsible for leading a classroom of approximately 8-15 children on Shabbat mornings. They will utilize lesson plans created by the BESTY Program Coordinator to lead activities from 9:15am – 12:00pm. The ideal candidate works well with kids, is excellent at managing a classroom, and is passionate about Judaism and Shabbat culture. Each classroom will be supported by the BESTY Program Coordinator, the Director of Youth Engagement, and each classroom will have two teen staff members to assist as well. 

This position is approximately 4-5 hours of work per week. Class on Shabbat is 3 hours long with 1-2 hours of preparation work expected per week. BESTY Program Staff are expected to maintain consistent attendance on Shabbat mornings and communicate absences well in advance. 

Specific Responsibilities Include:  

• Lead a classroom of approximately 8-15 kindergarten - 4^th graders during Shabbat morning services (9:00am – 12:00pm) 

• Prepare before each class by reading lesson plan created by BESTY Program Coordinator: Request any additional supplies needed from the Director of Youth Engagement, work with BESTY Program Coordinator to adapt lesson plan to fit your own teaching style 

• Arrive promptly to set up classrooms, and ensure classrooms are clean at the end of the day 

• Attend staff trainings on inclusion, behavioral management, program development, and first aid as needed 

• Additional opportunities to work holidays as listed:  
• Rosh Hashanah (day 1 and 2)  
• Yom Kippur (KN, YK, NI)  
• Sukkot (day 1, 2, 7 and 8) 
• Pesach (day 1, 2, 7 and 8) 
• Shavuot (day 1 and 2) 

• Serve as a role model for students, both secularly and Jewishly  

• Other duties as assigned  

 Compensation: $25/hour 

  Education/Experience:  

• History of working within an early elementary setting  

• Excellent at working with young children  

• Knowledge of basic Jewish traditions and practice  

Reports to: Director of Youth Engagement  

 Physical Demands  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus  

 Work Environment  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate