About Hebrew Higher

The Madrichim Program (Sundays during BIRS 10am-Noon): The Madrichim (counselor/leader) program teaches leadership, communication, and teaching skills, along with peer-support, reflection, and preparation for being teaching assistants in the BIRS classrooms. Typically students spend the first hour learning and prepping, and the second hour serving as tutors, game and activity leaders, and volunteer teacher aides. 8th graders are expected to join the Madrichim program. High School Interns have the option of joining Madrichim first hour, as explained below.

High School Interns (Time varies*): Designed for grades 9-12 as an opportunity for students to gain valuable experience as they prepare for college and the world of work, interns will gain experience that can be listed on college and scholarship applications and develop a relationship with a mentor who can be asked to serve as a reference or to write letters of recommendation. Students will work with a BIC staff member in a specific area of their interest: School (teaching assistants, special school activities, etc., Lynne Caine), Ritual (supporting services, Rav Nadav), or Programming (special events, carnivals, chaverim help etc. Melanie Gorman). * High school students who have already completed a year of Madrichim and are now High School Interns are encouraged to return to Madrichim for the first hour but are not required to. As a community of practice, each Madrichim year will be a different experience as they practice and share their leadership skills, and prepare to teach and run activities for the second hour. Staying together for this hour also allows for a larger peer support group, as High School Interns support each other and the 8th graders. Nevertheless, an Intern could choose to volunteer first hour instead; and High School Interns in the Ritual or Programming tracks are neither required to join Madrichim nor come on Sunday, though they are encouraged to. 

Fees for and Volunteer/Earning in these programs: The Internship administrative fee is $180. The Madrichim program fee is $518 for the first year. (Interns joining Madrichim still only pay the $180 Internship fee.) Students who are interns and have never been in Madrichim may be asked to attend special training sessions with the Madrichim. High School students accepted in the Internship Program can choose either to be paid $11 per hour or to work in their intern position as a non-paid volunteer. Students who choose to be paid will need to complete and submit a work permit prior to being paid. Information is found here.  All Madrichim and Interns will be added to a “Tap me if you need me list” of synagogue volunteers who will be contacted when additional non-paid synagogue volunteer opportunities arise. Separate from all the above is Gesher and USY, which are continuing under the direction of Allie Abrams, our Youth Director, whose email is found here.