B’naiture Youth Mentor for Grades 6-8

Wilderness Torah
Wilderness Torah

Part-time,

San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA

USD 25-30 / hour

Posted on Sep 29, 2026
Part-timeSTART DATE: August 2026Would you love to guide middle schoolers through meaningful nature-connected experiences that support their personal development? JOB DESCRIPTION:B’naiture is a two-year, experiential program for youth in grades 6-8 that uses nature-based Jewish connection as a vehicle to explore the transition from childhood to adolescence. B’naiture is forging a new Jewish pathway for nature and soul-centric rites of passage.This Wilderness Torah program weaves Jewish spirituality, tradition, and teachings with personal challenges, outdoor skills, mentorship from adults outside of family, peer group community building, and nature awareness activities to provide an embodied way for youth to explore coming-of-age. B’naiture meets from October—May on six Sundays from 10:30-4:30pm in Joaquin Miller Park, six Wednesday nights around the Berkeley marina, and three weekend camping trips.We seek educators with 3+ years experience in youth mentoring, nature connection, wilderness skills, and/or Jewish learning to serve as mentors for our B’naiture program for the 2026-2028 cohort. As a B’naiture mentor, your role is to provide nature-based games, challenges, crafts, stories, Jewish and nature-based learning, and help guide youth into their teen years. About Wilderness Torah and Adamah SF:Founded in 2007, Wilderness Torah is a leader in the earth-based Judaism movement and has served thousands of people with land-based holiday retreats; outdoor, mentor-based K-12 programs; young adult leadership development, local and national training in our models, and most recently our virtual learning opportunities. Now Powered by Adamah, we are working together as a healing balm in an overstressed, disconnected culture – to reconnect to the magic created when we get out into nature, experience embodied Jewish ritual and learning, all within a multi-generational setting. See our website at wildernesstorah.org and adamah.org/hubs/sf/Our workplace culture is one based on flexibility, trust, warmth, and dedication. Our team works hard, brings their whole selves, takes time when they need it, and relishes helping create meaningful experiences. We also have a large community of hundreds, from families in our youth programs to participants who help co-create our events. You will work with an amazing team of smart and caring people, in a workplace culture that values flexibility and collaboration. Duties and Responsibilities Include:• Attend staff training weekend August 21-23, additional trainings throughout year, and end of season staff debrief• Participate in 3-6 hours of collaborative planning meetings per month• Mentor and guide youth, maintain safety and health of all participants• Communicate with families as needed• Coordinate and participate in yearly calls with each family, to be divided with your co-mentor (approximately 6-8 hours over the course of February and March)• Arrive promptly for each meeting- Sundays generally 9:30-5:00 and Wednesdays 4:00-8:30, and for set-up, clean-up and duration of camping trips• Respond promptly to e-mail correspondence from program manager and team• Maintain CPR/first aid certification (WT will reimburse you for this training if you don’t already have it) Qualifications and Expectations:Head• A willingness to learn new things• Timeliness and foresight: able to arrive promptly and prepared with materials and teaching you have agreed to for each program day• A knowledge of and/or commitment to learning Jewish stories, songs, and teachings• Knowledge of the Eight Shields model desired• Knowledge of and experience with Rite-of-Passage desiredHeart• Personal spiritual practice, and/or yearning to be more spiritually connected• A love of and deep connection to the natural world• An ability to be a team player, as much of what we create is a collaboration of our ideas and experience• Excitement to cultivate community and cohesion amongst staff and participants• Experience and love of teaching, mentoring, and working with youth ages 11-13Hands• Specific nature-based and wilderness skills you are excited to teach• Comfort with building and tending fire, basic whittling skills; music skills a plus• Ability to lift at least 25 pounds; able to be outside in various weather conditions, from very hot to extremely rainy and wet with a bright attitude that inspires the kids• Must be able to lift 25 poundsDesired Qualifications:• 3+ years experience providing either wilderness, nature-based, Jewish, and/or rites-of-passage programming• Naturalist and wilderness skills knowledge; experience teaching wilderness skills is a bonus• Knowledge of the Jewish calendar and holiday cycles, stories, and values; Experience teaching in Jewish education is a bonus• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a dynamic team of youth mentors and can think on their feet• Committed to completing the 2 year program• We are ideally looking for people who are interested in continuing on with us as mentors in the future. Compensation & Benefits• Pay is commensurate with experience ($25-$30/hr); this is a part-time temporary role.• Paid earned sick leave• 25% off Wilderness Torah youth programs for any children• Free attendance to any virtual Wilderness Torah classes and courses, and discounts on all in person events• Wilderness Torah will subsidize your WFA (Wilderness First Aid) course• Receive training in our award winning curriculum To applyTo apply, follow these steps. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled.1. Complete the questionnaire linked here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe377AM1Da0VjHiQDIUH6cwBwu-Q0Mgey7sb_gVlU8aNoL4lA/viewform2. Email your resume to SarahElise@wildernesstorah.org. Add “B’Naiture Mentor Resume” in the Subject line. Start Date: August 2026Applications reviewed on a rolling basisLocal candidates only, or be willing to relocateWilderness Torah believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength, and recognizes and values the intersecting identities that staff members bring to our organization. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Wilderness Torah is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.