Careers at Wilderness Torah
Become a part of a transformative organization leading
the earth-based Jewish renaissance.
Our workplace culture is 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.
You will work with an amazing team of smart and caring people, in a workplace culture that values flexibility and collaboration.
More About Working for Wilderness Torah
Wilderness Torah promotes healing, belonging, and resilience. We awaken and celebrate earth-based Jewish traditions through inclusive and intergenerational village-building.
A vibrant, resilient world, where humanity remembers how to care for each other and our precious earth.
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. We’re here as one 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.
Wilderness Torah is proud of its diverse team of experienced personnel. Our team brings expertise allowing us to constantly grow and lead.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Wilderness Torah is creating a pluralistic, multigenerational village based on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. People of all faiths, backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religious affiliation are welcome.
Wilderness Torah believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength. We recognize and value the intersecting identities that staff members bring to our organization. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. WT 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.
B’naiture Youth Mentor for Grades 6–8
Part-time
START DATE: September 2025
Would 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 ages 11-13 that uses nature as a vehicle to explore the transition from childhood to adolescence. B’naiture is forging a new Jewish pathway for nature and soul-centric B’nai Mitzvah.
This program of Wilderness Torah weaves Jewish teachings, story, and song with personal challenges, outdoor skills, non-parental mentorship, 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 the East Bay Parks, six Wednesday nights in Berkeley backyards, and three weekend camping trips.
We seek educators with 3+ years experience in youth mentoring, nature connection, wilderness skills, and Jewish learning to serve as a mentor for our B’naiture program for the 2025-26 season. 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.
Compensation: $26-30/hour
Pay is commensurate with experience; this is a part-time, contract role.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Attend staff training weekend, additional trainings throughout year, and end of season staff debrief
- Create plan in collaboration with lead mentors before each meeting
- Participate in monthly staff meeting, and additional meetings as needed
- Mentor and guide youth, maintain safety and health of all participants
- Profile select group of participants- responsibilities include scheduling and following through on parent meetings and providing additional support as needed
- Arrive promptly for each meeting- Sundays generally 9-5 and Wednesdays 4-8:30, and for set-up, clean-up and duration of camping trips
- Respond promptly to e-mail correspondence from program manager and team
QUALIFICATIONS & 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 is helpful
- Knowledge of the Eight Shields model desired
- Knowledge of and experience with Rite-of-Passage desired
Heart
- 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 11-13
Hands
- 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
ABOUT YOU:
- 3+ years experience providing either wilderness, nature-based 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
- We are ideally looking for people who are interested in continuing on with us as mentors in the future.
ABOUT WILDERNESS TORAH:
A five-time Slingshot award winner as one of the nation’s most innovative Jewish nonprofits, Wilderness Torah’s mission is to awaken and celebrate the earth-based traditions of Judaism to nourish the connections between self, community, earth, and Spirit. See our website at www.wildernesstorah.org.
Founded in 2007, Wilderness Torah has served more than 8,000 participants with programs that reconnect Judaism to nature, including multi-generational land-based holiday festivals; outdoor Jewish education for grades K-12; and young adult leadership training.
To Apply:
- Send a resume (two pages maximum), two references and cover letter (one page) to youth@wildernesstorah.org
- Read thoroughly on our web site about the program(s) to which you are applying
- Include the title of the position you are applying for in the subject heading
- Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 1.
Wilderness Torah is an equal opportunity employer. Local candidates only. Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
Thank you!
