PASTA APPLICATION 2026-2027

IMPORTANT: Please Read

PASTA: Park Avenue Synagogue Teaching Assistant

Application Deadline: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Interviews and acceptance to the program will be done on a rolling basis.

Apply to be a part of our PAS Teen PASTA Program and volunteer to assist teachers at the Park Avenue Synagogue Congregational School. Each PASTA will be matched with a mentoring teacher and will work with them in the classroom to teach our Congregational School students and support their Jewish education. PASTAs will work with learners 1-on-1, assist teachers with classroom setup and facilitating lessons, and lead activities for their students. Outside of the classroom, PASTAs will develop leadership skills from experienced professionals and have a chance to apply them in their classrooms, with the support of their teachers. All 8th–12th graders are eligible for this PAS Teen program.

By participating in PASTA, you can:

Gain valuable Jewish leadership skills
Make a positive impact upon Congregational School students
Earn community service hours
Stand out on college applications
Be a stronger candidate for summer jobs

As a PASTA, you are required to:

Be present and engaged during your weekly placement time, working as an active leader in your class
Meet with your mentoring teacher for 15-minute check-ins once a month -- in person, over the phone or over Zoom/FaceTime.
Attend all PASTA training sessions, which include in-person orientation on September 24, 2026 and regular professional development meetings. These will be both in-person and virtual.

Placements are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for two-hour shifts between the hours of 3:30–6:00 pm, as well as Saturday mornings, during our Shabbat program, between 10:00 am—12:00 pm.

Once your application is received, we will be in contact to schedule an interview. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom.

Please check the box below to acknowledge your understanding of these expectations and complete the application on the following pages. Once submitted, a member of the PASTA advising team will reach out to you to schedule an interview. Any questions, please reach out to Aaron Hersh at ahersh@pasyn.org

I have read and understand the requirements and expectations of the PASTA program

Your Information

First Name

Last Name

What grade will you enter in Fall 2026?

Name of School

Email Address

Cell Number

Parent 1 Email Address

Parent 2 Email Address

The best way to reach me during the school day is:

I am a...

New PASTAReturning PASTA

If you are a returning PASTA what grades have you previously worked with?

If you are going into 11th or 12th grades, are you interested in working as a PASTA mentor for new participants?

YesNo

New PASTAs

In two to three sentences, please explain why you want to become a PASTA at Park Avenue Synagogue this year.

Please list any experience working with kids that you have -- examples include babysitting, camp-counseling, tutoring, and assisting teachers (not necessary to be considered for a position)

Please list any special interests or skills you have (e.g. play guitar, good storyteller, have visited Israel, proficient in Hebrew, etc.) that would help us determine which assignment in Congregational School would be a good fit for you.

What is your comfort level in the Hebrew reading and prayer? (Proficiency is not required to participate as a PASTA.)

Are you comfortable teaching or leading any Jewish rituals for students? If yes, please list the specific rituals with which you are comfortable. (e.g. Prayers, Torah Trope, Kiddush, Motzi, Hand-Washing, etc.)

Thinking of your skills and interests, what can you bring to your learners as a PASTA this year?

Returning PASTAs

Describe one key concept you learned from working as a PASTA last year, that you will bring with you into the 2025-26 school year

Do you wish to be placed with the same teachers and/or grade level as you worked with last year? Please describe in detail.