B'hootz Mentor

Do you love working with youth in nature? Do you want to work with a transformative organization leading the earth-based Jewish renaissance?

Mentor for Elementary Age Youth

Start Date: August 2026
Part-time Role

JOB DESCRIPTION: 
Wilderness Torah seeks a Youth Mentor in the East Bay from August 2026 to June 2027, or longer if agreed upon, to lead Jewish, nature-based, experiential education for the B’hootz (Hebrew for “outside”) youth program. We are seeking mentors for grades 4-5 but may also have openings for grades K-3 pending enrollment.  

Under the supervision of the Youth Programs Manager and Program Director, you will be trained to offer caring mentorship and nature-based exploration with Jewish spirituality, tradition, and wisdom. Mentors build their skills while working with a team of passionate people. Mentors will lead groups of children through the nature-based rhythm of the Hebrew calendar.

ABOUT THE B’HOOTZ PROGRAM: 
B’hootz is an outdoor Jewish nature-connection program for grades K–5 that runs on 12 Sundays from October through May, along with 1 or 2 camping trips (one for k-3, two for 4-5). This program integrates Jewish spirituality, tradition, and teachings, with nature-based exploration. Wilderness Torah seeks mentors who are dedicated and experienced in Jewish and/or nature-based education to join our program.

More than 500 kids of all levels of Jewish identity and practice have participated in this beloved program since it began in 2010. We appeal to families seeking alternatives for their kids: unplugged time in nature, learning by doing, and applying a pluralistic approach to Jewish learning.

IMPORTANT LOGISTICS: 

• Schedule:
  • B’hootz meets for 12 Sundays, from October to May
  • See program dates here: B’hootz Grades K-5 | Wilderness Torah
  • Fall Camping Trip, for all cohorts: November 6-7
  • Spring Camping Trip, for grades 4-5, May 21-22
  • Training dates
    • Fri-Sun, August 21-23
    • To be determined date(s) in January
• Structure: B’hootz runs in cohorts of 8-16 kids with one adult mentor and 1-2 teen mentors
  • Etzim (“trees”) cohorts are for grades 4–5 and meet 10am-3pm.
  • Shorashim (“roots) cohorts are for grades K-2 and meet 10am-2pm
• Location: This role is for the East Bay and meets in Joaquin Miller Park

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: As a Mentor, you will:

• Lead twelve sessions of quality earth-based Jewish programming
• Help plan and lead the fall family camping trip (all cohorts), and the end of year camping trip (4-5 grade only)
• Participate in collaborative curriculum planning with other mentors and Youth Programs Manager
• Work with and support teen mentors  
• Participate in immersive training (see dates above)
• Provide a summary of activities (via text and photo) to parents
• Maintain first CPR/aid certification (WT will reimburse you for this training if you don’t already have it)

Testimonial from a former B’hootz mentor: 

“Serving as a B'hootz mentor has been a fun, rewarding, and humbling experience. Most importantly, it has been an utmost privilege to foster the next generation of young Jews, who can connect with and enliven their Jewish identities through nature awareness. Through storytelling, herbal medicine, outdoor skills, games, nature exploration, and blessings, I observed how children's relationships to the natural world, and with themselves, were inherently Jewish.” ~ Anonymous

ABOUT YOU:
As a strong applicant, you possess the experiences and skills listed below. Applicants with varying competencies are encouraged to apply, provided that they display the ability to successfully perform the job description. You might be a good fit if you have:

• 3+ years experience working with children in grades K-5 in Jewish and/or outdoor programs like a summer counselor or afterschool program
• Basic knowledge of the Hebrew calendar and Jewish holidays, rituals, blessings, etc.
• Basic naturalist knowledge about local Bay Area ecology
• Comfort leading groups of children, maintaining boundaries, reading group energy, balancing a plan while responding to participant needs, and attending to the differences of a diverse group
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Commitment to racial, gender, and indigenous justice
• Practice giving and receiving feedback with co-workers
• A passion for earth-based Judaism and a demonstrated commitment to our mission
• Ability to walk on uneven terrain in all kinds of weather
• Ability to comfortably sit, stand, walk, squat, etc.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds
• Access to a personal computer
• Access to a car to transport yourself to the B’hootz site 

Expertise in teaching children one or more of the following categories is an advantage:

• Jewish tradition: text, ritual, music, Hebrew calendar
• Ecological awareness: identify local flora and fauna
• Ancestral skills: tracking, bird language, herbal medicine, and wildcrafting
• Social-emotional learning: mindfulness practices, emotional awareness, relationship building, decision-making
• Creativity: art, music, movement 

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 https://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.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

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 apply

To apply, follow these steps. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
1. Complete the questionnaire linked here. B’hootz Mentor Questionnaire
2. Email your resume to [email protected]. Add “B’Hootz Mentor Resume” in the Subject line.

• Start Date: August 2026
• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
• Local candidates only, or be willing to relocate

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and its Agencies are equal opportunity employers, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law.