About Mishkan Chicago

Mishkan Chicago leads people toward more purposeful, more connected, and more inspired lives. We create Jewish spaces to bring your whole self, and be part of something larger than yourself. As we connect to one another and to a life-affirming Jewish tradition, we breathe new life into Judaism and we change the world.

Since our first service in 2011, Mishkan Chicago has evolved from a small startup into a national presence with more than 20 full-time and part-time staff serving 670+ households both in Chicago and around the country.

We take our staff culture seriously, and we’ve developed workplace values to reflect how we show up for work: we innovate and see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow; we take care of ourselves and each other we belong to a team; we are invested in what we do, we create an enjoyable work environment; and we create a culture of respect, positivity, and empowerment amongst ourselves and for our community.

Mensch Academy is inspired, down-to-earth Judaism for kids and families. At Mensch Academy, kids build character, confidence, and curiosity through text-based Jewish learning, and students are empowered to ask big questions. In our pre-K through 5th grade program, low student to teacher ratios and trained staff support students in developing their own Jewish identity. Respecting each person’s mind and spirit, Mensch Academy is a space where kids feel loved enough and safe enough to take risks and experiment with Jewish tradition, making it their own.

Position Overview

The Mensch Academy Teacher position is an integral addition to the Mensch Academy team and the Mishkan staff in our Chicago office, reporting to the Director of Mensch Academy, working closely with the Director of Early and Elementary Family Life and with other part-time Mensch Academy teammates. The purpose of this position is to serve as a joyful and child-centered educator at Mensch Academy which will include lesson planning, physical classroom and supply preparation and management, and collaboration with the teaching team. This position will regularly receive professional development, both in Mensch Academy and from outside our program. This position begins in August and concludes at the end of May each school year.

What You’ll Do:

• Create a joyful and child-centered class for Mensch Academy students
• Modify, collaborate, and think creatively about Mensch Academy lesson plans with co-teacher
• Co-Lead 4 classes of 12-15 students
• Assist in student snack preparation and handout
• Regularly contribute to tefilah (prayer) planning and leadership
• Participate in regular professional development
• Contribute to a welcoming and inclusive staff culture, both within Mensch Academy and at Mishkan Chicago
• Support supplemental Mensch Academy programming, such as showcases, at least 3 holidays, and community events

What You’ll Bring:

• Experience in classroom or informal education, such as camp or afterschool programs

• Jewish cultural literacy

• Experience creating learning experiences for elementary-school aged children
• Flexibility and open-mindedness with excitement to learn and practice Mensch Academy’s unique pedagogy
• Hebrew knowledge is a plus
  • We are looking for at least 1 teacher to be able to teach kids basic Hebrew skills (alphabet, root words, etc)
• Experience songleading is a plus

Pay, benefits and why it’s great to work here:

• $30/hr, Approximately 15 hours a week and up to 20, 6 days paid summer training
• 3 paid sick days per school year
• $300 tech stipend or provided computer for virtual work
• A commitment to a positive and collaborative staff culture. For more on why it’s great to work here, please see our workplace values.
• Regular professional development opportunities

Where and When You Work:

• In-person at our main office located at 4001 N. Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago.
• On-site prep and school sessions are scheduled on:
  • Sundays 9am-3:30pm (prep and 2 classes)
  • Monday 2pm-6:30pm (lesson writing and 1 class)
  • Tuesday 2pm-6:30pm (lesson writing and 1 class)
  • 1 professional development workshop a month on a Wednesday (3pm-5pm).
• Additionally, we ask that all Mensch employees work at least 3 of our busiest holidays including:
  • Selichot
  • Rosh Hashanah
  • Yom Kippur
  • Sukkot
  • Simchat Torah
  • Hanukkah
  • Tu Bishvat
  • Purim
  • Shavuot
• Remaining responsibilities scheduled at employee’s discretion include additional holiday/program help, classroom preparation, and supply management.

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Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Systemic inequities in hiring have caused women, people of color, LBTQIA+ folks, and others to apply to jobs only if they meet every requirement. We encourage you to break that statistic and apply, as no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.

Mishkan is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related condition, citizenship, military service status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. When necessary, Mishkan will reasonably accommodate employees and applicants with known physical or mental disabilities or medical conditions if the person is otherwise qualified to safely perform all of the essential functions of the position.

Mishkan Chicago is a Jewish Spiritual Community located in Chicago, Illinois. We reinvent and breathe new life into Judaism. We create radically inclusive spaces for Jewish spiritual practice and community, engaging, educating, and empowering people across the spectrum of identity, background, age, and belief. Our aim is to lead people in Chicago and beyond toward more purposeful, more connected, and more inspired lives.