Assistant Program
Vinkels (Clubs) are BACK!
Originally started during ZoomShul to engage students and create a sense of community, the assistants will be leading intergenerational Vinkels once a month during the last 30 minutes of Folkshul. Assistants will determine the club they want to lead during orientation and students and adults will sign up for their clubs on the first day. The goal for this is twofold: 1. To actualize the assistant leadership program in a way that is authentic and structured, and 2. To build truely intergenerational community among the students and adults outside of communal celebrations.
In addition to leading Vinkels, Assistants play a crucial role in the every day operation of Folkshul. They serve as Community and Classroom Assistants providing them with a job opportunity as well as a visible leadership role in our community.
Folkshul values and cultivates the leadership qualities of our young employees, highlighting each individual for their specific talents and interests. We have a 100% retention rate - all of our graduating 9th graders stay to be Assistants!
Testimonials
Hear from some of our current assistants about what makes the Folkshul program great
The Folkshul assistant program helped me build the skills I need for working in other jobs in the future. I learned about organization and how to manage supplies and time. I think the Folkshul community assistant program prepared me for my future by teaching me responsibility and cooperation.
~ Liam Forest
I always feel supported and empowered as a young Jewish woman
What I love about Folkshul’s assistant program is its casual attitude. Even though I’m going into “work,” I never feel like I’m obligated; rather, I’m excited to help out people that I know and like. Working with the younger students has helped me tutor people at school, since I’ve gotten to observe the teachers working with Folkshul students. Plus, the class material itself is interesting to listen to, even for someone almost 10 years older than the students.
~ Arden Kolodner
The Folkshul assistant program helped me build the skills I need for working in other jobs in the future
At Folkshul, I always feel supported and empowered as a young Jewish woman. That support has stayed with me from when I was a student all the way through to my final year in the assistant program. The assistant program has developed my professional and leadership skills, providing valuable work experience in an un-intimidating, familiar setting. I am so proud of the work Folkshul has helped me do, whether that be my Bat Mitzvah project or social justice research and education.
~ Hannah Dubb
Even though I’m going into “work,” I never feel like I’m obligated... I’m excited to help out people that I know