We can create a separate view (component is even better, actually) for an embedded youtube and then use jQuery within it, e.g. this.$().find('.youtube-thumbnail').click(...), emberjs gives an alternative jquery interface "this.$()" which is bound to this and only this view, 

another option is to make use of emberjs events, particularly click event:
EmbeddedVideoView = Ember.View.extend({
  click: function(event) {
    // will be called when when an instance's
    // rendered element is clicked
  }
});

so both options go with separate view/component, let me know if you need any help with this.