B'hootz Mentor

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.

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.

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

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

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 after school 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…