Summer Staff
Job Descriptions

General Comments
Staffing a USY Summer Program can be one of the most rewarding experiences in Jewish education. The prospect of working with some of North America’s finest teenagers and helping them to shape their Jewish lives is a fabulous opportunity

In many respects, the responsibilities of a USY Summer Program staff member are similar to those of a camp counselor. At times, the staff member will need to be an authority figure, a good listener, and a friend. In addition, the staff members must be able to plan and implement programs relating to Israel as well as Judaism.

Unlike camp, however, there are no “specialists” on USY Summer Programs. Therefore USY Summer Program staff people are expected to plan and carry out many of these “specialties.” Ability to handle many varied responsibilities in a time-sensitive environment is a definite plus.

USY Summer Program Staff people are expected to conduct themselves as role models in all that they do. This relates to the Jewish educational aspects of the trip as well as the seemingly secular aspects of the trip. Summer Program Staff must display a commitment to Shabbat and Kashrut, both during the summer as well as in their own lives. It is important that staff members are comfortable serving as a role model, since the teens we work with are at a critical juncture in their lives, where they may look to your actions for guidance in making decisions about themselves.

USY Israel Pilgrimage
USY Israel Pilgrimage is a six week summer tour where high school students from all over North America travel and hike extensively throughout Israel, learn about contemporary and historical issues relating to Israel, and learn how to live a Conservative Jewish lifestyle experientially, and through informal study.

The number of kids per group is approximately 44 for per group, which has a staff comprised of one group leader (Israeli or American), two American female staff members, two American male staff, one full-time Israeli medic and one full-time Israeli counselor. As a general rule, the Group Leaders have had prior experience with the USY Israel Pilgrimage Program.

A Pilgrimage staff member has educational responsibilities (in terms of teaching the Pilgrims) as well as being responsible for those tasks which help the group function each day. For example, during the course for the summer, staff members may have the opportunity to lead and teach religious services, teach sichot (study groups), help the kids exchange foreign currency, adjust to a foreign culture, and help encourage their personal growth with regard to Israel and Zionism. While this may sound like a great deal of responsibility, it is important to be mindful that Pilgrimage can be a transforming experience for both the USYers and the staff members.

These responsibilities may vary according to the specific Israel Pilgrimage program for which one is working. For instance, staff experience in leading Shoah related sichot (study groups), or attending the geographically relevant needs of the children while they may be touring in Poland, Spain, etc.

USY on Wheels
USY on Wheels is a six and one-half week cross continental bus tour where high school students from all over North America travel together, seeing sights and learning to live a Conservative Jewish lifestyle.

Five staff members travel on the bus with 48 teenagers and a bus driver for the entire trip. One of the five staff members is the Group Leader (Rosh Tiyul). As a general rule, Group Leaders have had prior experience with the Wheels program.

A Wheels staff member would have educational responsibilities (in terms of teaching the Wheelniks) as well as be responsible for those tasks which help the bus function each day. For example, during the course of the summer, staff members may have the opportunity to lead and teach religious services, teach sichot (study groups), as well as arrange meals, shop for groceries for the group, help coordinate sightseeing and help out in other areas as needed. While this may sound like a great deal of responsibility, it is important to be mindful that Wheels can be a transforming experience for both the USYers and the staff people.

In addition to our “classic” USY on Wheels program, there is a program entitled “USY on Wheels Mission: Mitzvah.” This program focuses on traveling with a social action/community service focus which combines travel with performing varied intensive mitzvah projects in different areas of the continent. Staff members working on this program are expected to have interest and experience in the area of working with social service agencies and charities as well as Jewish educational background in this area. Wheels East is open only to 8th graders.

Summer In The City
USY, in partnership with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary, offers Summer in the City, a 33-day academic experience in New York City. Four days a week, students take classes at Barnard College or Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, taught be professors in those schools. The group is housed at Mathilde Schechter Residence Hall at JTS.

In the evenings and the times when the USYers are not in class, staff members provide supervision, programming and supplement the education they are receiving in the classroom with informal Jewish educational experiences. Additionally, the staff will help with the many cultural and sightseeing outings that take place during the program. A Summer In The City staff member would have educational responsibilities (in terms of teaching the USYers) as well as be responsible for those tasks that help the group function each day. For example, during the course of the summer, staff members may have the opportunity to lead and teach religious services, teach sichot (study groups), as well as arrange meals, contact sights for outings, and help out in other areas as needed.

The Summer In The City staff is comprised of one group leader and up to two staff members based on a group of 36 USYers. For this program, staff members are required to be students at List College or List College alumni.

Outdoor Adventure
OA-PNW is a four-week outdoor Jewish environmental education program in Washington State. Participants on USY Outdoor Adventure travel throughout the state hiking, sea-kayaking and sightseeing while discovering what the Judaism has to say about the environment and learning to create a community together as Jews.

The program’s staff consists of 1-2 “Field guides” plus 2-3 program staff hired by USY. As a general rule, Group Leaders have had prior experience with the USY Summer programs.

An OA staff member would have educational responsibilities (in terms of teaching the USYers) as well as be responsible for those tasks which help the group function each day. For example, during the course of the summer, staff members may have the opportunity to lead and teach religious services, teach sichot (study groups), as well as arrange meals, set up camp, and help out in other areas as needed. Staff must have experience in youth and camping, although need not be experts and be knowledgeable about Judaism and the environment.