Part Time Madricheh* or Educational Guide for Progressive Spiritual Community in Queens

Malkhut is seeking inspired, social justice-oriented educators to join our Youth Institute for Spirituality & Action as Madrichimot (Educational Guides) for the upcoming school year. We meet twice a month (on the 1st & 3rd Shabbat morning of the month). This is a part-time, paid opportunity to guide children in a progressive Jewish community rooted in inclusion, creativity, and spiritual exploration.

Time and Compensation:

• First and third Saturday morning of every month
  • September 6 (YISA Kickoff, non-teaching), September 20, October 18, November 1 & 15, December 6 & 20, January 3 & 17, February 7, March 7 & 21, April 18, May 2 & 16, June 6
• 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM (please arrive early in order to ensure your classroom is appropriately setup)
• $220-$245 per session (includes preparation and teaching)
• $20/hr for scheduled planning meetings and non-teaching engagements

Responsibilities:

• Teach lessons steeped in Jewish diversity, social justice, and Jewish values on the first and third Saturday of every month.
• Prepare and pre-submit lesson plans, following the curricular journey and previous lesson plans/educational resources.
• Attend pre-scheduled check-ins with the Director of Malkhut’s Youth Institute to track the curriculum’s progress, discuss any material needs, and participate in any pedagogical training as needed. Often, these will be team meetings with other madrichimot and teen helpers. Anywhere between 4-9 meetings over the course of the school year.
• Communicate with parents, as necessary.
• Prepare for and lead holiday programming as needed (optional).

Qualifications & Competencies:

• Experience teaching in a non-traditional learning environment
  • 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!
  • Inquiry-based, storytelling, and arts-based pedagogical approaches are a plus!
  • Commitment to social justice education
• 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
• Able to work remotely and in-person (all programming is in-person, with some meetings potentially taking place online; Masking or Zoom pivoting may be needed in case of COVID spikes)
• Identify with the mission of Malkhut (https://www.malkhutqueens.org/p/about-us.html)
• Humor, flexibility, and adaptability

Organization: Malkhut is a 9-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.

Malkhut’s Youth Institute for Spirituality and Action: Malkhut’s Youth Institute for 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, Hebrew instruction, BMitzvah preparation, 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!

Madricheh is the gender-neutral singular Hebrew word for “educational guide.” At Malkhut, we see our teachers as guides and fonts of knowledge to aid in our children’s exploration of their Jewish identities. Each teacher chooses the appropriate form that feels true for them - madrich (male), madricha (female), madricheh (gender-neutral). The gender-neutral plural form that we use is madrichimot. To learn more about our use of gender-neutral Hebrew, visit the Nonbinary Hebrew Project.

Women, LGBTQ individuals, Jews of color, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

If interested in Malkhut’s Youth Institute for Spirituality and Action - Madricheh position, please send your resume and cover letter to the Director of Malkhut’s Youth Institute. Please include a description of your commitment to and experience working in small, start-up community spaces.

youthinstitute@malkhutqueens.org