Genesis is a three-week residential program at Brandeis University for approximately 40 outstanding Jewish high school students from across the world. Students choose from one of two academic courses, taught by Brandeis-affiliated instructors. Courses meet for two hours each morning, Monday-Friday with time for Nesiyot (Explorations) in the afternoons, Kavanot (Spiritual Practice) and informal programming in the evenings and on Shabbat. Course work leads up to a capstone project. The Genesis Community Educator (CE) is an immersive position defined by educational collaboration, experimentation and community-building to create an exceptional growth experience for participants from around the world. We deeply value a diverse staff that accurately reflects the Jewish community, and strongly encourage all communities to apply. 

Qualifications:

• Have completed an undergraduate degree by the start of the summer (current or previous graduate work in Jewish studies, Jewish education or current rabbinical school enrollment preferred).

• Possess teaching experience, especially in experiential education and with teens.

• Have experience in and strong familiarity with Jewish community and a range of Jewish practice and observance.

• Ability to lead (or assist in leading) daily minyanim, tefillah and other spiritual practice endeavors.

• Be creative, flexible, collaborative and enthusiastic.

Key Responsibilities:

Residential and Community Life 

• Live in the residence halls with the participants. 

• Monitor participantsâ™ physical/emotional well-being and serve as positive role models.

• Support the participants in following the community guidelines and making responsible decisions as they negotiate living in the community at Brandeis.

• Create a supportive environment within which participants can expand their comfort zones, explore new ways of expressing themselves and grow personally and spiritually.

Jewish Life and Educational Programming 

Morning Minyan

Students have the opportunity to participate in an optional 8:30am daily minyan, which is facilitated by the CEs, in collaboration with the Assistant Director. Depending on the interests of the students, morning minyan may take different forms, to be determined in collaboration with the students. 

Nesiyot/Explorations

Each CE will design and facilitate a three-week (2 sessions per week)âœnesiyah❠for a small group of participants that explores important facets of community: people, ideas, and experiences. Nesiyot are hands-on programs that involve authentic experiences shaped by the participants. CEs do much of the individual planning of Nesiyot prior to the summer with support from senior staff. Collaborative planning is encouraged throughout the summer.

Kavanot/Spiritual Practice

Each CE will design and facilitate a 45 minute Kavanah/Spiritual Practice session, to occur weekday evenings after Dinner. Students choose one Kavanah for the entirety of Genesis. Examples of previous Kavanot include: God Talk, Meditation, Learnerâ™s Minyan, Text Study, etc.. CEs do much of the individual planning of Kavanot prior to the summer with support from senior staff. Collaborative planning is encouraged throughout the summer.

Community Educators are expected to work with the Assistant Director after June 1 on summer programming and arrive at Brandeis with complete draft lesson plans of Nesiyot and Kavanot.

Shabbat 

CEs work with senior staff and students in weekly Shabbat planning, leadership, and celebration. This will include CE leadership of tefilah (prayer) and/or limudim (learning sessions), as well as offering morning or evening kavanot (spiritual practices). Shabbat prep is on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Program Dates

Sunday, June 29-Sunday, July 20

Staff Training Dates

Wednesday, June 25-Saturday, June 28: Staff Orientation in residence at Brandeis.

Compensation

$3090 plus room and board (dorm-style living with other Genesis staff)

About Brandeis University

As a medium-sized private research university with global reach, we are dedicated to first-rate undergraduate education while making groundbreaking discoveries. Four major academic units with 3,600 undergraduates and 2,050 graduate students comprise the University: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, the International Business School, and the Rabb School of Continuing Studies. In 1985, Brandeis was elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), which represents the 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. Brandeis has been ranked among the top 35 national universities by U.S. News & World Report every year since the rankings’ inception. Our 235-acre campus is located in the suburbs of Boston, a global hub for higher education and innovation. Our faculty are leaders in their fields, as passionate about teaching and mentorship as they are about pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Our students are motivated, compassionate, curious and open to exploring new and challenging experiences. Brandeis was founded in 1948 as a nonsectarian university under the sponsorship of th...e American Jewish community to embody its highest ethical and cultural values and to express its gratitude to the United States through the traditional Jewish commitment to education. By being a nonsectarian university that welcomes students, teachers and staff of every nationality, religion and orientation, Brandeis renews the American heritage of cultural diversity, equal access to opportunity and freedom of expression.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Brandeis University