Announcements

Thursday, August 8, 2024 — 4 Av 5784

While many Teens are enjoying their summers, we want to share what our Teen programming will look like for next year. We envision our Teen programming as having multiple avenues that provide myriad access points for our Teen Community.

• Education 
  Teen Collab & JewishU
  
• Leadership Programs & Social Events 
  Teen Leaders, Hadracha, Monthly Teen Events
• ​​​​​​​Shabbat & Holiday Involvement

Education

Both the Teen Collab (8th-10th Grade) and JewishU (11th-12th Grade) meet at the Midwestchester JCC on Thursday evenings. You can learn more about Teen Collab and JewishU on August 14th at the online information session. (Please note that these programs are open to Jewish Teens across Westchester, not just those affiliated with Beth El or other partnering organizations.)

Teen Collab is a creative and dynamic educational experience for teens (grades 8–10) interested in deepening their Jewish identity, taking their Jewish education to the next level, and meeting other Jewish teens across Westchester. 

The Teen Collab will meet on Thursdays from 6:30-8 pm, and will be broken into three modules. Sign up for one, two, or all three, based on your interests and schedules. Each module costs $300 for Beth El members, or you can sign up for all three for a 10% discount. 

JewishU is a new program for 11th and 12th graders in which they take college-level Jewish classes (accredited by top universities) at the JCCMW to earn college credit! Two yearly classes, both running on Thursday evenings, will be offered beginning this fall. The courses offered include Hebrew 101 or History of Jewish Immigration. Each course will meet weekly on Thursdays from 6:30-9 pm from September to May. The Hebrew 101 course, accredited by Syracuse University, will cost $1700 plus a registration fee. The History of Jewish Immigration course, accredited by American Jewish University, will cost $1300 plus a registration fee. 

Leadership Programs & Social Events

USY is hosting "Leadership Training Institute" on September 6-8 in Annandale, MN for 9th-12th graders. This heavily subsidized program is a chance for Jewish Teens from across the nation to join together for a weekend of leadership development and friends. Click here for more information.

Teen Leaders helps brainstorm, plan, prepare for, advertise and attend our monthly special events. They meet monthly to prepare for upcoming events, and are supported by the Teen Advisor. 

Hadracha (Religious School Assistants) supports our Teens as they are active assistants and role models in our Religious School. There is a broad spectrum of opportunities for teens to volunteer, whether helping out in the office or supporting teachers in classrooms. Additionally, Hadracha meets regularly during Religious School hours to empower our Teens with knowledge, skills, community, and opportunities for reflection and growth. Hadracha can take place on Thursdays, Sundays, or both.

Teen Social Events occur monthly, so bring your friends! Programs include lounge nights, chesed (service) events, Israel-related programs, Shabbat/holiday programs like the Purim Carnival, fun activities like baseball games, and other activities you might suggest!

Teen Shabbat & Holiday Experiences

Teens have the opportunity to lead Shabbat services in many ways–through participating in our Teen Shabbat services (occur bimonthly), reading Torah or leading services in the Main Sanctuary, and by taking over Shabbat services for Youth and Family Engagement Shabbat! 

If you are interested in reading Torah, leading services, or reading Megillah, we have opportunities for mentorship and support both from Cantor Gaby and from your peers who mentor new readers and leaders. Please contact Cantor Gaby for more information. 

Teens are also invited for Shabbat dinners in the rabbis’ homes, which is always a really special event for our Teens and clergy.