Junior Jewish Educators is focused on training and nurturing successful and effective Madrichimot and leaders. JJE will prepare teens to serve as leaders in Jewish settings and in public schools.
Structured much like a college internship practicum, the JJE program pairs meaningful and impactful training and education with hands-on, on-the-job experience. This program is geared towards students who intend to work as Madrichimot/CITs/Counselors at a Jewish organization and are looking for opportunities for growth in their leadership skills, deeper learning, and training.
For 8th graders, the program is open to students working in a Jewish communal setting and those looking to build skills to prepare for leadership and educational positions.
For high school students, the program is open to students who currently hold roles in Jewish communal settings, who are aiming to lead JSU, or those applying for educational positions. While we have suggestions for where to look for a work placement, we cannot guarantee work placements for students enrolling in the program. Before applying to the program, we recommend that students have a work placement or leadership position in mind.
Through high-quality training from experts in the field of Jewish education, students will gain professional skills, both for their current role as Madrichimot and for future employment opportunities; build their resumes for college, scholarship, and job applications; and deepen their connection to the Jewish community and their sense of Jewish identity. Depending on their work site/program, they may also gain volunteer or community service hours. All students will receive a Jewish Counselor and Leadership Training Certificate from the JCC.
In grades 8 and 9, Madrichimot 101 students will learn about professionalism, child development, classroom management, and lesson planning through the lens of Jewish values. In grades 10-12, Madrichimot and Leadership 201 students will explore disability inclusion in the classroom, Jewish leadership skills, and navigating challenging conversations around antisemitism, Israel, and Jewish identity. Students will engage consistently in Jewish learning, grounded in text and traditional wisdom, tailored to the program’s learning goals.
We also have a unique partial program available for students in grades 10-12 who do not work in Jewish communal settings but are current or aspiring leaders in other Jewish spaces, such as youth groups and Jewish Student Unions. These students may elect to participate in the second half of the 201 group curriculum and receive individual mentorship throughout the year.
Students will work in a Jewish communal organization of their choice. Students can apply to be Madrichimot at the JCC, their synagogues, or another Jewish organization. Students are responsible for finding and securing their work placements. At the JCC, we have positions available in Edah, our Jewish learning afterschool program, and our preschool. To learn more about work placements at the JCC, please email noah.curtisgoldstein@jcceastbay.org.
Madrichimot 101 (Grades 8 and 9)
Madrichimot 101, our core Madrichimot training program, is geared towards students in grades 8 and 9 who are currently working as Madrichimot/TAs/CITs in Jewish communal education and 8th graders who want to prepare to work as Madrichimot/TAs/CITs in the future. Each session will include text study, discussions, interactive activities, and lectures. Learning will be curated to help students answer the central question of each unit.
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | |
8th grade | Professionalism What does it mean to have a job? | Child Development Who are the students I work with? | Classroom Management How do I lead a group or activity? |
9th grade | Professionalism What is a safe and healthy work environment? | Classroom Management How do I help a lead teacher manage the classroom? | Lesson Planning What goes into planning an effective lesson or activity? |
Madrichimot and Leadership 201 (Returning students in grades 10-12)
Madrichimot 201 is designed to give students in grades 10-12 who have worked in their role in Jewish communal education settings for at least one year opportunities to build their skills and leadership further. In addition to group sessions, 201 includes mentorship meetings where students will receive tailored support on professional development, life skill building, and job, scholarship, and college applications. Student leaders in Jewish Student Unions or Youth Groups who do not work as Madrichimot/TAs/CITs may elect to join the second half of the group sessions and receive mentorship.
Session 1 | Inclusion Part 1: Understanding disability and exploring Jewish teachings on disability What does it mean to have a disability? |
Session 2 | Inclusion part 2: Supporting students with disabilities in the classroom How can I best help a student navigate the classroom? |
Session 3 | Holding Hard Conversations How do we talk to our peers about antisemitism? Utilizing For The Sake of Argument curriculum |
Session 4 | Jewish leadership in high school and beyond What does it look like to be a Jewish leader in high school? |
The first step to applying to Junior Jewish Educators is to complete our application form here.
The form asks about your experience working with children, interests and reasons for pursuing the program, short—and long-term professional and educational goals, and potential or confirmed work placement. You will also be asked to provide basic information, including contact information.
As mentioned above, we cannot guarantee a work placement, and students are responsible for securing their own work placement.
We recommend that you consult with your parent or guardian as you complete your application to ensure they are fully aware of the requirements for JJE, the program schedule, and the program’s tuition. It is essential that all applicants and their families be fully informed about all aspects of the program before continuing to the interview stage.
After you submit your application, a member of the JCC staff will contact you to schedule an interview. Your interview allows us to get to know you and understand your interests and experience. Our interview process aims to gauge whether you will be a good fit for and benefit from participating in the JJE program. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to ask us questions about the program and decide if it is the right opportunity for you!
If you are selected for the program following your interview, we will send a registration link in your acceptance email. If you have any questions about the application process or interview, please email noah.curtisgoldstein@jcceastbay.org.
Schedule
All JJE sessions, excluding individual mentorship meetings for Madrichimot 201, will be held on Sundays at the JCC.
Madrichimot 101 will meet from 4-6pm on the following Sundays:
Madrichimot 201 will meet from 6:30-8:30pm on the following Sundays:
Madrichimot 201 mentorship meetings will be scheduled based on student and staff availability on weekday evenings.
2025 – 2026 Fees
Madrichimot 101: $850 (Nonrefundable deposit of $300)
Madrichimot 201: $550 (Nonrefundable deposit of $150)
Program tuition includes both immersive experiences and covers meals, staff time, program partnership fees, individual mentorship for 201 students, and other associated costs.
A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available. If you would like to apply for financial assistance, please contact Yafit Shriki Megidish yafit.shrikimegidish@jcceastbay.org.
If you need a payment plan, please complete the application and deposit payment and contact Yafit Shriki Megidish yafit.shrikimegidish@jcceastbay.org.
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to withdraw your child from the program, you must submit a Schedule Change email to the Senior Director of Jewish Learning. The $300 deposit will be forfeited for any withdrawal before the end of the school year. At the discretion of the Senior Director of Jewish Learning, any withdrawals will be subject to a prorated refund.
Where will students work, and how are work placements arranged?
Students will work in a Jewish communal organization of their choice. Students can apply to be Madrichimot at the JCC, their synagogues, or another Jewish organization. Students are responsible for finding and securing their work placements.
I’m in 8th grade and don’t have a job yet, but I am excited about working in the Jewish community. What specific benefits will I get from participating in JJE?
Participating in JJE as an 8th grader, even if you don’t have a job yet, is an excellent opportunity to build your resume and skills to be ready to take on a role you choose next school year. You will also benefit from being part of a community of like-minded teens with similar interests and goals!
Where can students look for work placements?
Students are encouraged to research local Jewish organizations to see who is hiring. If they need help finding a work placement, they are encouraged to reach out to the JJE team for suggestions and information on roles at partner organizations.
Yafit Shriki Megidish
Chief Jewish Learning Officer
yafit.shrikimegidish@jcceastbay.org
510-848-0237, ext. 129
Noah Curtis-Goldstein
Community Engagement Manager
noah.curtisgoldstein@jcceastbay.org