Announcements

Friday, October 11, 2024 — 9 Tishrei 5785

Dear Teens and Parents,

We are looking forward to spending a meaningful Yom Kippur as a community. We have Teen services tonight, for Kol Nidre, beginning at 6:20 pm (or after the Torah processional), as well as tomorrow beginning at 10 am, and we are excited for your participation. On Saturday evening, we will end with the children's Neilah magic show, and then all Teens and children are invited to participate in havdalah.

Parents and Teens, we want to make you aware that over Rosh Hashanah, there were a number of incidents across Beth El, including in the Kasakove, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces that led to equipment being damaged. We want to make sure that this does not occur again on Yom Kippur. Please connect as a family about where Teens will be spending their time during Yom Kippur. We encourage them to participate in the Teen services, or they can spend time on the Upper Terrace (entering from the outside stairs) after 10:15 am.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in making Yom Kippur a most meaningful holiday for everyone.

G'mar chatimah tovah,

Alyssa Berman
Director of Youth & Family Engagement

Welcome to Teen Programming 5785!

We are so excited to kick off our programming year!

We are looking forward to monthly lounge nights, Shabbat programming, social and tikkun olam opportunities, Teen Collab for continued learning, and so much more!

Our opening event, Sushi in the Sukkah, will take place on Tuesday, October 22 at 6:30 pm at Rabbi Sitkin's home. RSVP here.

We are finalizing dates, but our loung nights will occur monthly on Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm. They are scheduled in conjunction with other youth events and do not conflict with other local youth groups. See our "save the date" here.

Please follow us on our Instagram @bethenr_teens, where will be posting upcoming events and programs regularly. 

Questions, suggestions, or comments? Email Vered, our new Teen Advisor at teens@bethelnr.org, or text her at (914) 488-4681. 

G'mar Chatimah Tovah,
Alyssa and Vered

Hi! My name is Vered Ben-Gideon. I graduated from Brandeis and studied politics, philosophy, and economics. One cool part of my college experience was spending a year studying abroad at Oxford University in England. Back on campus, I also helped lead the Conservative minyan. 

Besides working at Beth El, I am spending this year studying Talmud! 

I love watching baseball (Go Red Sox) and hockey (Go Penguins). I also love to bake, crochet, do yoga, and read. 

I am so excited to get to know you!

Thursday, October 24, beginning at 7 pm
Service hours available

Join us to celebrate Simchat Torah with raucous hakafot (dancing)! We needs Teen volunteers to be in charge of the younger children's passports and prizes--they get stickers for participating in the dancing, and can then get a prize at the end!

RSVP to Alyssa if you're able to help out!

Thursdays, beginning November 7, 6:30–8:00 PM
at the Midwestchester JCC

Teen Collab is a dynamic educational experience for 8th–12th graders who are interested in deepening their Jewish identity, taking their Jewish education to the next level, and meeting other Jewish teens! Three modules with 6–8 sessions each will be offered throughout the year. 

JewishU: A History of Jewish Immigration
Accredited by American Jewish University
In this class, students will explore the idea of immigration as a Jewish narrative. Beginning with the more well-known instances of moving from one place to another—Abraham and Sarah’s journey and the Exodus from Egypt—students will explore what logistics, emotions, joys, and struggles go into transitioning to a new place. They will learn about the first Jewish communities in the United States and explore immigration from Europe to the United States in the 1900s, including the waves of Aliyah to Israel, emigration from Ethiopia, Russia, and Iran, and immigration to countries in Asia. 

Register here.

Many Jewish organizations are offering fellowships and leadership opportunities for teens. We would love to support you in applying! Here are current opportunities, along with their deadlines. 

• For rising 11th graders; 26 accepted per year
• Includes an immersive summer program and launching into a full year of transformative study and deeply personal journeys. Bronfman Fellows explore existential questions and Jewish ideas while building friendships with peers who are as curious as they are, joining a lifelong community that inspires them to change the world for the better. 
• Information sessions on Thursday, 10/10 and Tuesday, 11/12
• Click here to learn more and apply.