Lead Educator 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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

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…