SUMMER SPECIALIST PROGRAM
Grow as an educator and leader while digging into earth based Judaism and sustainable agriculture
JUNE 1 – AUGUST 10, 2026
Spend a summer living communally on an urban farm, getting hands-on farm experience, leading summer camp activities, and immersing yourself in the wisdom of earth based Judaism.
This program offers young adults ages 19–23 a rare opportunity to live in a city while doing land-based learning and educating.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
WORK EXCHANGE
Each specialist will work a maximum of 35 hours a week at camp and on the farm in exchange for free housing, a weekly farm CSA box to share, earth-based Jewish learning sessions, and a summer stipend. Summer specialists live on the farm itself in our modern residence building which includes a large, well-stocked kitchen and plenty of living space. The farm is located in West Berkeley in an urban environment, close to public transportation, supermarkets, cafes and restaurants.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Summer specialists lead daily activity blocks for summer campers and may help with camp activities, including morning circle and Shabbat. Summer Specialists also work on the farm, learning regenerative agriculture practices and tending to goats and chickens. Ample time to brainstorm, develop and plan new activities, and collaborate with peers is included in the 35-hour work schedule.
SUPERVISION
Summer Specialists will get regular, consistent supervision and feedback from the Farm Manager and Educational Programs Director, as well as other members of the Urban Adamah staff. They will receive training before camp starts as well as learning opportunities in Jewish values and texts, farm techniques, and other topics.
For more information or any questions, reach out to ari@urbanadamah.org.
The Four Specialties
Each summer specialist will focus on one of four specialties. In each, we are looking for people who find joy in teaching others, who have skills already developed in a particular area, and who are enthusiastic about farm life and being outdoors.
FARMING
Farming specialists will engage children in activities to foster appreciation for farm life and responsibilities. They will guide summer campers in learning how to plant, tend, and harvest crops, as well as directly support Urban Adamah’s lead farmer in farm care duties.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Arts and crafts specialists will plan and teach a range of creative activities, including candle making, Jewish crafts, puppet making, lanyards, nature-based art, and beyond. They will also oversee the cleaning, organization and stocking of supplies and equipment.
COOKING
Cooking specialists will guide campers in hands-on learning in the kitchen including: preparing challah for our weekly Shabbat end-of-camp service; teaching canning and pickling; making food from our farm produce; teaching basic kitchen and cooking skills to a wide range of ages.
MUSIC
Music specialists will lead camp-wide sing-a-longs of Jewish summer camp songs as well as American and Hebrew folk songs at morning opening circles and at camp Shabbat on Friday afternoons. They will also develop fun, interactive activities like musical games, songwriting workshops, and more.
LOGISTICS
DATES
June 1 – August 10, 2026
While Summer Camp runs from June 8 – August 7, Summer Specialists are expected to arrive on June 1 for training and stay through August 10 to debrief, celebrate, and pack up. Summer Specialists are expected to be present for the entire experience, though they will have June 19 and July 4 off from work.
TIME REQUIREMENT
Each specialist will work 35 hours a week in the program which runs Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, as well as 1-2 hours on weekends doing farm chores.
Those hours will include leading 2 hour-long farm activity blocks for summer campers each day. All specialists will also be expected to do 10 hours of farm chores per week (including some weekend hours) such as animal care, watering, weeding, cleaning, and compost maintenance.
There may also be additional work opportunities on the farm, including helping to run after-camp, etc. Any additional work will be paid at $21/hour, although the availability of additional work is not guaranteed.
