YAVNEH COUNSELOR APPLICATION INFORMATIONThank you for applying to be a BCMH Yavneh Counselor! Whether you are a new applicant or a returning counselor, please take the time to read this description of the qualifications and responsibilities expected of a Yavneh counselor. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also read this sheet.Why Be A Yavneh Counselor?Yavneh counselors receive training and experience in early education and leadership skills, as well as certification in first aid and CPR. Working for the Yavneh program also provides an opportunity to mentor younger kids in the community, and to form relationships that many of our younger kids remember all their lives. But most importantly, being a Yavneh counselor means getting paid to play!What Does it Take to Be a Yavneh Counselor?BCMH Youth Programs looks for the following qualifications in its Yavneh counselors:• Experience: Ideally as a counselor or CIT in other programs, but babysitting experience is also acceptable.• Enthusiasm: Yavneh counselors love working with kids! • Professionalism: Yavneh counselors remain polite and calm when interacting with parents and other members of the community – even when speaking with individuals who may not themselves be calm or polite.• Responsibility: Yavneh counselors take responsibility for their own schedules. They are punctual, perform their duties without requiring constant reminders, and work proactively to resolve conflicts.• Community-Oriented: Yavneh counselors are not just employees of the shul. They are also active members of the Seward Park Jewish community, and show their commitment by helping out with community events, such as the Purim Carnival or the summer BBQ, on a volunteer basis.• Role Model: Yavneh counselors are representatives of the shul and role models for younger children. As such, Yavneh counselors are expected to set a good example with respect to their dress, their speech and their observance of mitzvos, and to act at all times in a way that reflects well on the shul and on the Yavneh program. Experimentation with drugs or alcohol, or any other behavior that violates state law, will result in your immediate termination.How Do I Learn to Be A Yavneh Counselor?• Fall Training Weekend: all Yavneh counselors must participate in Fall Training Weekend. The majority of the training will take place Friday night following a special dinner for the counselors, and Shabbos afternoon prior to Mincha. Training includes instruction in the Yavneh curriculum, a review of Yavneh policies and procedures, and role-playing. New counselors will also shadow experienced counselors on Shabbos morning of Fall Training Weekend.• CPR/First Aid Certification: Yavneh counselors who are not already certified in CPR/First Aid must participate in a certification class, paid for by BCMH. • Ongoing Training: Yavneh counselors will be informally observed by Ari Hoffman during the programs, and will receive ongoing feedback to help improve their performance. What Do Yavneh Counselors Do?Yavneh counselors are required to attend morning davening, and must arrive no later than 9:05. In the winter, counselors must daven in the main shul; in the summer, counselors have the option of attending Teen Minyan if they choose.Following davening, Yavneh counselors run Shabbos and Holiday morning programs for kids ages 3 years – 6th Grade. Job responsibilities vary depending on what role you play:• Yavneh: Counselors working in the Yavneh program must arrive by 9:30 in the winter months, and 9:45 in the summer months. Counselors lead davening and parshah Q&A, play games with the kids, and take them to the bathroom as needed. Yavneh lasts until after Chazarat HaSH”ATZ of Mussaf, which is generally around 11am in the winter and 11:15 in the summer – however, counselors should be prepared to stay longer when there is a double parshah or a guest speaker. Counselors are expected to put away toys, books, etc. before leaving the classroom.• Junior Minyan: Counselors working in the Junior Minyan program must arrive by 10:00am in winter months, 10:15am in summer months. Counselors assist Larry Russak in leading davening, and help maintain decorum during davening and parshah. On some occasions when Larry is unavailable, counselors may lead davening themselves. Junior Minyan generally lasts about an hour, but counselors may be required to occupy the kids for longer if shul runs long. Counselors are expected to make sure the beis midrash is clean and orderly before leaving.• Hall Monitor: Hall monitors patrol the BCMH hallways from the beginning of Yavneh until Teen Minyan is over, in order to keep the hallways quiet. Hall Monitors should escort any kids who are making noise either to Yavneh/Junior Minyan or to their parents. Yavneh counselors will also be required to work for one or two afternoon or evening programs during the year – in particular, the Sukkah Hop and the Simchas Torah program. How Often Will I Work?During the hiring process, you will have the opportunity to work out with Ari how often you are able to work. In general, however, we expect the following:• Shabbos: Primary counselors must be available for regular Shabbos scheduling – let Ari know at least two weeks in advance if you will not be available. Alternates should work out with Ari in advance when you will be available for scheduling.• Holidays: Unless you are out of town, you should expect to work on the following holidays: second days of Pesach, second day Shavuos, Sukkos mornings, the Sukkah Hop 2nd day Sukkos, Shemini Atzeret morning, and Simchas Torah night. • Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Yavneh counselors have the option, but are not required, to lead davening for the High Holidays Day Camp on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Davening takes place during the speech so that counselors will not have to miss shul. APPLICANT: I have read and understand the Yavneh Counselor Application Information Sheet, and I am willing and able to take on all responsibilities described therein. *
