Teva Educator Song Leader - Fall Season 2025

About Teva:

Teva, a program of Adamah, is the premier Jewish environmental education program in North America. Our four-day Shomrei Adamah program provides transformational experiences in nature for Jewish day school students. We are seeking engaged, nature-inspired, creative, playful, and hard-working people to join our team of fall educators at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.

Teva aims to connect youth to the natural world, inspire environmental awareness and activism, and engage youth in Jewish culture and tradition. We are looking for educators who are excited to take part in this mission by leading and developing transformational experiences in nature. Educators spend their day outside with a group of students, and lead interactive curriculum that focuses on awareness, interconnectedness, ecology, and responsibility.

Teva’s educators come from a diversity of backgrounds and contribute a variety of skills to the program. Musicians, teachers, wilderness leaders, artists, mentors, performers, athletes, scholars, and lovers of life are invited! All Teva educators are hired because they have demonstrated strong skills in working with children through prior experience.

Being a Teva Song Leader:

The Teva Song Leader is a core role in the cohort and is the primary person responsible for engaging students in aftermeal music and prayer, as well as our end of day layla tov ritual. Beyond being a song leader, this person also leads and organizes the ‘Teva Band,’ Teva’s acclaimed Educator/Student-led musical extravaganza. Ideally, this person has a background in teaching and leading music, plays an instrument, and is confident in their voice in front of a group of students. A background in leading Jewish prayer is also a plus! Music is an integral part of the Teva experience for students, teachers, and Teva educators. To learn more and listen, check out some Teva Tunes here!

Program Dates:

The Fall Season will run August 24 – November 24 (exact dates are subject to change), at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT.

Teva comes back for a Spring Season from Mid-April to June, with programming at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and at the Pearlstone Retreat Center and Outdoor Education Campus, 30 minutes north of Baltimore, MD.

Core Educator Responsibilities:

• Introduce students to the natural world through exploration of the forest, farm, and campus of Isabella Freedman
• Plan and lead outdoor learning blocks and electives to teach ecological and Jewish concepts, either solo or with a co-educator
• Lead children’s programming during Adamah holiday retreats
• Work collaboratively with supervisors and colleagues
• Participate in theatrical presentations, large scale games, evening programming, and song sessions
• Support programming at meals for students and chaperones
• Participate in Shacharit (morning prayer services) and add creative educational elements
• Assist with development of curriculum, skits, and program materials
• Participate in staff training and development (1/3 of total work time) and learn Teva’s curriculum
• Prepare the site for the week, includes programming materials, set-up, and take-down

Additional Song-Lead Responsibilities:

• Teach and lead after-meal songs and blessings with support from the ‘Teva Band’
• Be a leader in Teva’s musical culture, including musical empowerment of educators and students
• Facilitate night-time closing ritual with students
• Support Teva’s shacharit program with musical guidance and leadership

Compensation:

• Pay of $17/hour, approximately $6,000-$7,000 per season.

To Apply:

Please send a resume to Teva@adamah.org to apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled. The application includes two interviews and three references.