“Find yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend and judge each person according to their own merits.” Pirkei Avot 1:6

Jewish LearningWorks has offered mentorship experiences to educators in our community since 2018. We do this by connecting professionals to engage in a mentorship experience that benefits both the mentor and mentee.

Mentoring is a proven, effective and efficient way to invest in our community’s educators. Our Mentorship Program is informed by Jewish concepts and texts, as well as leadership and adult learning research, to support mentors and mentees in this process.

Our Mentorship Program is designed for:

  • Congregation, JCC afterschool and weekend classroom teachers (grades K-5)
  • Professionals working with teens (grade 6-12)
  • Congregational education directors
  • ECE associate/assistant directors
  • Camp professionals
  • Day school teachers and specialists
  • B’nai mitzvah tutors
  • Non-traditional supplementary programs

Mentorship Program, at-a-glance:

Each fall, we recruit both new mentors and mentees. Once the matches of mentors and mentees have been made, we provide the structure and tools for meaningful engagement.

Mentees

Mentors
Aimed at
 Candidates are Bay Area Jewish educators and communal professionals who are taking on a new role, are still new to their position, or have new responsibilities. Candidates are Bay Area Jewish educators and communal professionals who have at least 10 years of experience in the field of Jewish education.
Format

1:1 mentorship sessions will be virtual, or in-person if both parties prefer. Group sessions will be virtual only (synchronous and asynchronous).
Length
 Mentors and mentees are asked to make a one year commitment to the mentorship experience.
Fee
 The cost for mentees is $180 for the entire year, due at registration. Mentors receive a $1,200 honorarium upon successful completion of the mentorship cycle.
Enrollment

Registrations are open. To register, please fill out our inquiry form.

Rolling admissions until all placements are made.

Program Structure

1:1 Mentorship

Each mentee will be paired with a mentor. Together, the mentor and mentee will set up a schedule, and will meet 8 times during the mentorship cycle. 1:1 mentorship can occur in person or using phone or video.

The agenda for each 1:1 Mentorship session will be designed by the mentor and mentee in order to respond to the mentee’s specific workplace needs. Mentors may consult with Jenni Mangel at Jewish LearningWorks at any time during the mentorship initiative for support about planning and facilitating 1:1 mentorship sessions.

Mentee Cohorts

Each mentee will be assigned to a cohort made up of 3-4 professionals who have similar communal roles (e.g., director of congregational education, youth professional, teacher of Hebrew language, etc). Each cohort will meet 3 times during the mentorship cycle, and then meet in a final gathering with all mentors and mentees, facilitated by Jewish LearningWorks staff or a qualified facilitator.

All Mentee Cohorts will be framed in the exploration of Jewish values and texts. They will address topics relevant to all professionals, such as planning and decision making; setting boundaries and self care; managing difficult situations; and working with parents.

Mentor Circle

Mentors will participate in a Mentor Circle which will meet 3 times during the mentorship cycle, and a final gathering with all mentors and mentees at the end of the cycle. These sessions will be led by Jewish LearningWorks staff, and designed to support mentors and enhance their work with mentees as well as reach the intended goals and outcomes.

The Mentor Circle gatherings will take place via Zoom. The sessions will be framed in the exploration of Jewish values and texts that can be used to inform their 1:1 mentorship sessions. Topics include identifying mentee goals and assessing progress; qualities of good mentorship; how to redirect mentorship gone awry; and mentorship reflection strategies.

Mentorship Pairings

How are mentorship matches made? We interview all mentee and mentor candidates. Mentorship pairings will be made in order to best support the mentee based on information shared in the application, and initial conversation.

Mentor-mentee relationships are unique in that they are often reciprocal, consistent and often enduring across years and roles. Generally, mentors will, currently or in the past, hold the same role that the mentee holds.

Registrations and Questions

We work on a rolling admissions process, until all placements are made.

Complete the Inquiry Form

Once your form has been received we will follow up with you for a phone call.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Alisha Pedowitz at [email protected].

What Participants Are Saying

  • The mentorship program, which I have participated in for four years, established an ongoing process of supporting newer [professionals] with guidance and transmission of legacy, and has contributed to one of my most lofty missions, bringing more quality [professionals] into the field of Jewish education and communal work.
    Mentor
  • [My mentor] has been a great mentor and friend. Her insight and wisdom has been invaluable to helping me become a better director and stronger educator. She has made me feel cared for and supported and like I always had someone in my corner during times of difficulty. I’m so grateful for her and this program.
    Mentee
  • I really enjoyed working with my fellow mentees as well as my mentor! I felt extremely supported and it definitely helped me work through challenges I was facing this year. We often discussed the challenges of working with teens in a post-pandemic world.
    Mentee
  • My mentor had a huge impact on my confidence. I was piloting a program last year and I saw a tremendous amount of personal growth with my mentor’s help. I became confident in my role and my abilities which helped me be more successful.
    Mentee
  • Anything I can do to help support [working in Jewish education] as a career path and as a legitimate professional choice is worth my time and energy. I gained just as much from it as my mentee did.
    Mentor
  • There is something really valuable about collaborating and brainstorming and bouncing ideas off of someone who isn't in the weeds with you.
    Mentee