Environmental Kodesh Educator

Education Setting: Educational Organisation

Salary: 12-month freelance contract £20 per hr, 2.5 days a week

Location: London

EcoJudaism is delighted to launch the search for a part-time Kodesh Educator to join our dynamic team.

We're seeking an experienced educator to co-develop and co-deliver EcoJudaism's Jewish Environmental Education Project (JEEP) teacher training course and in-school programme.

JEEP is a unique and immersive 5-part course that teaches Jewish primary school children about environmental responsibility from the perspective of Torah teachings and Jewish values.

The course objectives are:

• To build environmental responsibility as an integral part of the student's Jewish identity.
• To educate students on the climate and biodiversity crises from the perspective of Jewish teachings, such as 'Choose Life', 'Pursue Justice', 'Teshuvah' and 'Responsibility'.
• Students gain a sense of empowerment, confidence and optimism about the future and their place in it, leading to positive, Jewish action. Please click here for more details about the current course content and delivery methodology.

Led by Jessica Robinson, EcoJudaism's Education Lead, the project was piloted and launched across four Orthodox Jewish Primary schools over the past year, providing a transformational experience to over 130 students. The success of the project has resulted in EcoJudaism being awarded funding to recruit another teacher to scale the project via a JEEP teacher training and in-school support project.

The role of the Kodesh Educator will involve three key areas:

• Support further development of, and teaching of the Jewish content of the course in a way that is inspiring, relevant and accessible to KS2 Jewish primary school children. This may involve working with schools to tailor the course to their particular needs.
• Support the Education Lead in shaping and delivering the JEEP teacher training course (a series of day sessions aimed at KS2 Kodesh or secular studies teachers)
• Support the Education Lead in delivering in-school classes, trips, environmental activities or resources as required.

Key skills and requirements:

• Strong formal or informal experience in teaching Orthodox Kodesh/ Jewish studies, including developing lesson plans and activities. A teaching qualification is desirable but not essential to apply.
• A genuine interest in Jewish perspectives on environmental responsibility and keenness to explore this subject in more depth with rabbinic and other thought leaders.
• Deep understanding of Charedi education settings and how to work successfully within them
• Can demonstrate creative and engaging approach to education
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and team collaboration skills.

Line management: The Kodesh Educator will report into and be line managed by the Education lead.

Hours: The role is 2.5 days a week, 9-5pm Mon-Wednesday to align with the rest of the team.

Location: Most of the work will take place at schools, however EcoJudaism offers a hybrid work location arrangement, where team members are expected to work from a joint Northwest London location every 2 weeks and work from home the remaining time.

Who are we? EcoJudaism is the UK Jewish community's response to the nature and climate crisis.

Our Vision is a thriving world, where environmental responsibility is integral to Jewish identity, and Judaism inspires and strengthens the global endeavour to protect G-d's world.

Our Mission is to educate and inspire the Jewish community and beyond to build consensus and commitment to act on the climate and nature crisis. To find out more about who we are what we stand for please read EcoJudaism's Manifesto and Strategy

Interview date: Initial interview by arrangement in August, final interview early September, date TBC.

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