Avodah T.A.s
What is an Avodah TA? (“Avodahnik”)
“Avodah” is an amazing program sponsored by JQuest at Temple Isaiah & Women of Isaiah, in which 8th-12th grade members of Temple Isaiah serve as teaching assistants in our JQuest classes. If you are qualified and interested in taking on additional responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to serve as a Hebrew tutor or become a helper for students with special needs. You may also choose to volunteer in Temple Isaiah’s library, or help with kids’ programming at our Friday night Shabbat programs for preschoolers (Tot Shabbat) and/or elementary school kids (Shabbatarama). There are many ways to serve as an Avodah-nik! Exceptional Avodah TAs may be asked to work, in their senior year, as paid TAs.
Why should I be an Avodah TA?
Avodah is a great way for you to stay involved at Temple and gain hands-on community service experience. As an Avodah TA you will serve as a Jewish role model, gain valuable experience working with children, and acquire leadership and teaching skills that you will use throughout your life. You will also have a lot of fun!
What are the requirements?
Since good teachers continue their own learning, we ask that you continue your Jewish education in order to serve as an Avodah TA. To fulfill this requirement you may enroll in Noar Night (our Wednesday night 8th-12th grade program), or you can meet with us individually to discuss alternative ways of continuing your Jewish learning.
There are a few trainings and meetings that are a requirement of the program. Avodah is structured so that you will gain more responsibility and a higher level of training each year you serve as a TA, and the training sessions will help you prepare for your work with students and develop skills that are vital in the classroom. These sessions are not to be missed!
Will I be paid?
8th-11th grade Avodah TAs are eligible to receive an honorarium in recognition of their participation in the Avodah program. The honorarium may be used for Jewish programs and activities, such as Jewish camp, Confirmation Trip to Washington DC, LAFTY events, NFTY activities, an Israel Trip, and more. The amount of your honorarium is based on the number of hours you work as a TA and the available funding provided by the Women of Isaiah and the Education Department. You may use your honorarium any time during high school or in the four years following high school graduation. Information about how to obtain your honorarium to pay for a Jewish-related activity or program will be sent in the summer following your year’s participation in Avodah. 12th grade TAs are invited to apply for a paid TA position.
Anything else I should know?
Avodahniks may be asked to staff junior youth group events (Simcha and Anachnu). If you are an Avodahnik and staff a youth group event, you will receive an $18 credit toward future LAFTY events.
Questions? Contact Daniella Forney at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (925) 284-9191.