The Youth Group Advisor at Beth Emet primarily supports our 4th-8th grade youth group events as well as secondary support for our senior youth group, BESSY, led by our Director of Youth Engagement. Leadership for younger youth group events will include planning and chaperoning events. Events are often focused on community building, social justice, and deepening Jewish identity, with a big measure of having fun together! In supporting BESSY, the youth group advisor will participate in meetings, and programming for high school teens under the leadership of the Director of Youth Engagement. The ideal candidate is a strong leader, collaborative, compassionate, social justice driven, and loves working with teens.

The youth group advisor will work to highlight Beth Emet and Jewish values such as striving to help each other grow, learning individual and collective strength, and prioritizing social justice. This role embodies the value of creating a welcoming, inclusive, and caring Jewish community. This position reports to the Director of Youth Engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience working with teens and/or with Jewish youth engagement
• Event planning experience
• Ability to supervise youth safely (including a background check and safety training)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• A strong desire and experience to create Jewish community for youth
• A passion for working with youth and fostering teen leadership through event planning and community building

Responsibilities

• Planning 5+ youth group events for 4th-8th graders, from big picture to logistics. This includes event outreach, communication, coordinating event transportation and logistics, and gathering materials.
• Attending all events for 4th-8th graders, securing additional chaperones when appropriate
• Attending meetings, events, and retreats and preparing adequate meeting agendas and event schedules in advance
• Corresponding regularly via email, text, and phone with Beth Emet staff and teens
• Working with the Director of Youth Engagement to chaperone senior youth group events
• Partnering with Director of Youth Engagement during large youth events, such as the Purim Carnival
• Carrying out additional advisor responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Youth Engagement

Schedule and time commitment

• Plan and lead an overnight middle school experience
• Host at least 5 formal events per year, spanning 4th–5th grade, and middle school, to occur on the weekend
• Support BESSY board retreats per year (fall and winter), BESSY board meetings, and an overnight high school experience under the leadership of the Director of Youth Engagement

Salary: $5,000-5,500, paid in biweekly payroll increments September–May. This reflects the baseline responsibilities and events outlined above. Additional compensation is available for events or programming beyond this baseline (e.g., planning added middle school events, extra retreats, etc.).

To apply: To express interest in the position, please send an email to Emmie Weprin, Director of Youth Engagement, with your resume and/or experience detailed. Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

About Beth Emet: Beth Emet is a Reform congregation in Evanston, IL, just north of the city. The synagogue is located on a bus line and within walking distance of the Purple line. We are an engaged community of passionate learners, who wrestle with God, hug one another, sing loudly, (and try to stay in tune). Together, we embrace life in all its perplexing and thrilling complexities. Our practice of Judaism is steeped in tradition and made fresh every day. We encourage diverse applicants with a range of backgrounds, identities, and experiences.