Lead Educator for Tawonga Bay Area Programs

Job Title: Lead Educator (view PDF)
Department: Jewish Education
Reports to: Bay Area Programs Manager
Salary Range: $55- $70/ hour
Location: East Bay, San Francisco, and Greater Bay Area
Schedule: Part-time with a nine-month commitment (late August 2025 – May 2026)

About Tawonga

Tawonga’s mission is to provide educational and recreational programs for children, adults, and families that foster self-esteem, lifelong friendships, connections with nature, and positive Jewish identity and spirituality. We run programs at our residential campsite next to Yosemite National Park and in the Bay Area, serving 5,000 people a year.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Camp Tawonga is an Equal Opportunity Employer, values diversity and is committed to being an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and to hiring people of color, LGBTQ individuals and women. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and organizational need.

Job Purpose and Description

The Lead Educator plays a vital role in delivering Jewish educational programming for Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah Program and the Tawonga Family School. This role is responsible for facilitating classes and retreats, supporting students and families, and creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging Jewish learning environment. The Lead Educator collaborates with other educators and provides leadership to Assistant Educators, collaborates with the Bay Area Programs Manager and Assistant Director, and models professionalism, warmth, and creativity in all interactions with students and parents.

About the B*Mitzvah Program

Camp Tawonga’s B*Mitzvah Program is a two-year, experiential, nature-and Tikkun olam (the Jewish value of repairing the world)approach to Jewish coming-of-age journeys. Programming includes twice-monthly Sunday classes in San Francisco and the East Bay (2 hours each), full-cohort weekend retreats, and occasional family events like hikes and Havdalahs. Assistant Educators can apply to work in one or both regions based on availability.

About the Tawonga Family School

Our family school brings together families with kids ages 4–8 in regional cohorts around the Bay Area. Each group meets once per month on Saturdays for 2.5 hours. Through ritual, storytelling, crafts, and games, Assistant Educators help create a warm, engaging, and values-driven Jewish community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching & Facilitation

Serve as Lead Educator for monthly classes (Saturdays/Sundays, approx. 9am–4pm for B*Mitzvah Program and 9:30am-1pm for Family School) in San Francisco or Berkeley.
Facilitate meaningful, participatory Jewish learning rooted in Jewish texts, values, holidays, and ritual.
Lead learning sessions and electives at two weekend overnight retreats during the program year.
Co-lead Kabbalat Shabbat services and facilitate adult learning sessions.
Adapt and implement curriculum with guidance from the Program Manager.

Classroom & Program Leadership

Attend educator training in the Fall.
Maintain effective classroom management and create a positive, inclusive group culture.
Prepare lesson plans and class materials (~1–2 hours prep per class).
Provide direction to Assistant Educators during sessions.
Maintain appropriate documentation, including attendance, observation forms, and family communication.
Participate in regular check-ins with the Bay Area Programs Manager for supervision and feedback.

Program Collaboration

Collaborate with Program Manager and other educators in planning and delivering overnight retreats and classes.
Support overall program goals, vision, and logistics.
Represent Tawonga’s mission, culture, and values to families and the broader community.

Other Duties

All other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Training, Experience, Skills, and Qualities

Required

At least 5 years of relevant experience in Jewish education or related fields
Strong Jewish content knowledge, especially in Torah, holidays, and Tefillah
Experience leading Jewish rituals (e.g., Shabbat, Havdalah)
Proven success in working with children, pre-teens, and families
Strong classroom management and group facilitation skills
Excellent interpersonal skills; able to relate to a diverse range of people and families.
Highly responsible, organized, and reliable
Commitment to creating inclusive and joyful Jewish spaces

Preferred

Familiarity with Camp Tawonga’s mission and philosophy
Background in experiential or informal Jewish education
Bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies, Education, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Supervision

This position reports to the Bay Area Programs Manager and directs the work of Assistant Educators.

Work Environment & Schedule

This is a part-time, in-person position based in the Bay Area. Classes and retreats take place on weekends approximately 1-2 times per month between August and May. Preparation time is expected in advance of each class.

Physical Demands

The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

Ability to type, write, read, hear, and speak effectively to communicate with children, parents and staff.
Frequent use of hands and fingers to handle classroom and instructional materials.
This position involves supervising children and requires frequent standing, walking, kneeling, and sitting with some lifting up to 30 pounds.

Worksite

This role is an in person position at classes taking place in the Bay Area, Retreats taking place a couple hours from the Bay Area, and occasionally online to lead virtual adult education or Kabbalat Shabbats.

Work Environment

Noise level is moderate when working from outdoor classroom settings

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and/or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on the needs of Camp Tawonga.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a part-time, non-exempt, non-benefited position. The hourly compensation for this role is $55–$70, depending on experience.

To Apply

To ensure consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications for and interest in the position. Send applications to applications@tawonga.org with “Lead Educator” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.