B Mitzvah Mentor/Officiant
Status: Open
Type: Part-time, year-round.
Start Date: Immediately
POSITION SUMMARY:
Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center seeks Mentors/Officiants for our innovative B Mitzvah Program that serves primarily unaffiliated, interfaith, and non-traditional Jews on the east side of LA. This isn’t your standard B’nai mitzvah program. Each B Mitzvah student is paired with a Mentor and together, they engage in one-on-one exploration of what it means to mark coming-of-age both Jewishly and as part of the SIJCC community. The culmination ceremony is customized to each student; it could look like a traditional Shabbat morning service with Torah chanting or it could be far outside of the box, like the creation of a Dungeons & Dragons-style game focused on Jewish mysticism. Our b’nai mitzvah Mentors are passionate about guiding young people through an authentic exploration of Jewish text and co-creating a culminating experience that reflects their learning and that demonstrates their commitment to Jewish values and community. Our Mentors are creative, Jewishly knowledgeable, committed to helping young people explore their identities and values, and committed to facilitating deeply meaningful coming-of-age moments for our b’nai mitzvah students and their families.
ABOUT THE B MITZVAH PROGRAM:
Our program is based on a few core values and beliefs: We believe that...
It is important to mark major life transitions:
There is deep value in marking young people’s coming-of-age. Young people are coming to terms with themselves, accelerating the process of self-discovery, and grappling with how they interact with the world around them.
These experiences should feel appropriate for the person having them:
Marking coming-of-age can look different for different people and that people should have agency in their coming-of-age experience and that one size fits all does not fit all.
Jewish learning on a deeper level is a fundamental component of this experience:
There is rich wisdom within Jewish tradition and that studying and grappling with that wisdom is crucial for a young Jew when they come of age.
We come from a tradition of questioning and it is important for young people to have a safe space to question their tradition, and how that is implemented in their lives.
The ceremony should represent the capstone of a rigorous process of learning and discovery that was significant enough that the young person emerges from that learning and discovery process different than how they started.
Life does not happen alone, in a vacuum, it happens with community
Coming-of-age is not something that one can do alone. A community of loving, connected, present people welcome the young person into community.
While it is the individual becoming a bat/bar mitzvah, it is a moment in time that involves the whole family and their relationship and commitment to Judaism.
The connection between the young person and a trusted, knowledgeable mentor can catalyze deep self-discovery that benefits the young person and the broader community.
WHO YOU ARE:
You love helping tweens explore who they are and who they want to be in the world.
You have relevant experience working directly with tweens 12-14
You are proficient in Torah trope and Jewish liturgy.
You have experience facilitating thought provoking discussions.
You are a clear communicator who can adeptly code switch when addressing teens, adults, the community, groups, and other audiences.
You have working knowledge of Jewish history, values, ad tradition.
You have strong internal drive and plentiful energy.
You are adaptable and can think quickly in the moment when the unexpected happens. • You are committed to the work of tearing down systems of oppression. You uplift and actively make space for those in the community who are marginalized, especially BIPOC, multiracial, trans, queer, and interfaith folks. You are rooted in the principles of anti-racism, feminism, and pluralism.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Comfort working with interfaith families.
Comfort with alternative B Mitzvah experiences.
Comfortable working independently.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
A wage of $100-$115 an hour for mentorship hours, an officiant rate of $800-$1100 depending on experience.
Colleagues who are laser-focused on serving the community and who aren’t afraid to do things differently than they’ve been done in the past.
A warm community that cares deeply about the world and each other.
The ability to reinvent what it means to come-of-age in a Jewish community.
HOW TO APPLY
Please prepare a thoughtful cover letter (no more than 1 page) introducing yourself, explaining your interest in this role, your skills, mindsets, and experience make you a good fit. Please also mention how you learned of this opportunity.
Submit your cover letter, along with your resume, to jobs@sijcc.net with subject line “B Mitzvah Mentor/Officiant.” Submissions in PDF format are preferred.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until opening is filled.
ABOUT US:
Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center is a 70-year-old leading center for education, arts, and culture on the east side of Los Angeles. We are a home for culture, ideas, and belonging through our core programs, including our early childhood education center, Jewish Learning Center, East Side Jews (our young adult community), community programs, and through partnerships with individuals and organizations throughout Los Angeles. Our signature educational programs include a large and highly regarded early childhood center, and a cutting-edge Sunday school called the Jewish Learning Center. Our approach is grounded in Jewish values of inclusiveness, learning, and community; we celebrate an expression of Judaism that welcomes people of all backgrounds. To learn more about us, visit www.sijcc.net.
SIJCC strives to practice and champion inclusiveness, and we aim to honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our communities. Candidates from traditionally marginalized communities are especially encouraged to apply.