Our teen program for 8th-12th graders is a place for Beth El teens and their friends to connect with one another, cultivate leadership skills, have fun, celebrate Jewish holidays, volunteer, and more! Events are created by teen leaders in our community and take place both on site at Beth El and around Westchester and NYC. For more information, to get involved, and to learn about the Teen Leadership Board, contact Bekkah Gold at teens@bethelnr.org.
In partnership with five other Westchester synagogues, the Teen Collab is our main opportunity for Jewish education for 8th-12th graders. This program offers multiple tracks so that teens can choose what they want to learn. This past year, topics ranged from Israeli Music to Jewish Social Justice to Improv… and beyond. Sessions take place at the Mid-Westchester JCC from 6:30-8 on Thursdays. Each session begins with a Kosher dairy dinner and an opportunity for students to connect with teens from other communities. Please contact Alyssa Bermam (Schwager), Director of Youth and Family Engagement, for information and registration at aberman@bethelnr.org.
Throughout the year, we have special opportunities for teens to celebrate Shabbat with their peers at Beth El. In addition to our annual Youth and Family Engagement Shabbat where teens take over the Shabbat morning service in the sanctuary, we are also rebuilding our culture of teen-led Shabbat services for teens. We also encourage teens to participate in the adult services on a regular basis by reading Torah. This past year, we launched a new program training teens who are confident Torah readers to mentor other teens as they work to strengthen their skills. To learn more about these initiatives to participate in and lead Shabbat services, contact Cantor Gaby at gschvartz@bethelnr.org. Teens are also invited for Shabbat dinners in the rabbis’ homes– keep an eye on teen emails for these opportunities!
Our K-7th Religious School has a broad spectrum of opportunities for teens to get involved. Whether helping out in the office or supporting teachers in classrooms, this opportunity is for teens in grades 8-12 and can take place on Thursdays, Sundays, or both. To apply to be a madrich/a next year, email Alyssa Berman (Schwager), Director of Youth and Family Engagement, at aberman@bethelnr.org.
Presidents
Lucy Casanova
Lindsay Reis
Israel Affairs VP
Hannah Mani-Abraham
General VPs
Lily Jacobson
Raya Sulman
Membership-Kadima VPs
Logan Abramowitz
Lucy Casanova
Social Action/Tikkun Olam VPs
Lola Bernstein
Religion/Education VPs
Naomi Kellman
Spencer Kolodny
Communications VP
Gabby Cohen
Hannah Jacobson
9th Grade Representative
Jack Reis
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What is J-Teen?
J-Teen Leadership is a community service, leadership development organization for Jewish high school students from all backgrounds and affiliations who want to make a difference in the world today. Through local programs and long distance service projects we provide a platform for teens to develop a collective voice, connect to other teens and become change agents in repairing the world. Check out jteenleadership.org for more info about their programs!