Avodah
Learn More About our Avodah Work-exchange Program
Avodah is a work-exchange program. It is intended for those with financial need who want to serve the community at our events, as well as for those looking to get more involved in the Wilderness Torah community!ย
Avodah applications are accepted on a rolling basis from the launch of each event, until positions are filled.ย Specific role details, dates, and times are published at the launch of each event. You should alwaysย apply early for the greatest choice of positions.
The following are Avodah ticket options.ย The number of hours vary based on how long each event is.ย Below is the breakdown of options for our multi-day festivals.
- FULL AVODAH is 20 hours of work exchange
- THREE QUARTERS AVODAHย is 15 hours of work exchange
- HALF AVODAH is 10 hours of work exchange
- QUARTER AVODAH is 5 hours of work exchange
You can also combine roles.
Combine two HALF positions to create a FULL. Combine two QUARTER positions to create a HALF. Combine a HALF position and QUARTER position to create a THREE QUARTER
Avodah is an opportunity for folks to help create the village and is a great way to save money, meet new friends, and play an important role of service at the event.
IMPORTANT: Each Avodah role is integral to the health of the whole system. The hours you contribute with Avodah serve as payment for the event. When you are absent or late for your shifts, or you do not arrive at the event by the agreed-upon time, your absence affects many others. Therefore, if you do not fulfill your agreed hours, we will ask you to pay the difference after the event at the rate of $20 per hour.
CANCELLATION: If you register for your Avodah position and then don’t cancel at least one week before training preparations begin, you will be required to pay the full adult registration fee for the event, and will not be allowed to participate in Avodah at future events. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for emergency situations.
Please always read through our Avodah Terms & Conditions before applying for Avodah.
Below is a breakdown of festival Avodah positions.ย Positions will vary, from event to event, and new roles may be added.ย ย
PRE-FESTIVAL POSITIONS
Repairing and Organizing Gear: QUARTER
Support our Logistics Team by helping to organize our infrastructure at our storage in West Berkeley. This position allows you the freedom to enjoy the festival without working during the event! Folks with an eye for organisation are encouraged to apply ย
Setup: HALFย orย FULL
We will be getting ready for the holiday, including unloading the truck, erecting all structures, setting up the hearth and putting up decorations. Come be a part of our pre-festival community and help build the village! This position also allows you to enjoy the holiday without working during the event.ย Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner from our hearth during setup.
You’re welcome to join us for all of setup or a single day on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday .
Welcome Lead: FULLย
We will be getting ready for the holiday, including unloading the truck, erecting all structures, setting up the hearth and putting up decorations. Come be a part of our pre-festival community and help build the village! This position also allows you to enjoy the holiday without working during the event.ย Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner from our hearth during setup.
You’re welcome to join us for all of setup or a single day on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Welcome Team: QUARTER
Be part of our wonderful welcoming team! Check people in, help with orientation, and assist people with gear setup if needed.ย ย
You must arrive by 2 pm Thursday, October 13th for orientation.
Parking Attendant Team: QUARTER or HALF
Help people arrive in a good way. Be the first person to greet participants. Help orient folks to the land and get them parked tightly.
You must arrive by 2 pm Thursday for orientation.
MAIN FESTIVAL POSITIONS
Childrenโs Mentor: (various times) HALF or FULL
We are looking for friendly people to work with our children and teens for a few designated times during the festival. You must have experience working with young people ages 4+, ideally in an experiential, outdoor, and/or in a Jewish context. Please read through the Youth Programs page before you apply and tell us about your experience on your avodah application.
Hearth: (various times) QUARTER, HALF, or FULLย
Help our hearth (kitchen) nourish the village by lending your chopping, prepping, serving, organizing, and cleaning skills. Arrival times vary depending on shift.
Community Care Assistant: ย (intermittent times) FULL or HALF
Assist the Community Care Coordinator in tending to the wellness of the village through resetting spaces, tending the herbal self-care station, refilling handwashing stations. This position might take place partially during program hours, but also will allow you to enjoy the holiday.ย
Village Supporter :ย HALF
Help support participants as they arrive and depart, help build and breakdown participant tents, and maintain the villageโs infrastructure. This job requires flexibility and a willingness to jump into action when needed.
POST FESTIVALย
Parking Attendant Departure: ย QUARTER
Help direct the flow of traffic so people can leave in a good way.ย
Breakdown: HALF
It takes a village to build a village, and also to break it down! This position may require some heavy lifting and may include taking apart our modular structures, lighting, decorations, hearth, hand-washing stations, and all program related gear. Breakdown will begin during the final programming but primarily happen after the gathering.
Unloading the Truck HALF
The whole village must be tucked away in the storage shed in West Berkeley until our next festival.ย
For questions about Avodah, please contact avodah@wildernesstorah.org.
