Limmud: Teen Learning
Temple Israel prides itself on the ability to engage post B’nei Mitzvah students through learning, leadership and social action opportunities. Twice a month on Thursdays, our teens gather for dinner and learning with our clergy and Director of Education. This year’s focus will be on Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, and how values shape the volunteer work that we do. To learn more about our Thursday program, contact our Director of Education.
Teen Travel
A highly anticipated part of our teen program is teen travel. Past trips have included: Washington, DC to participate in the Reform Action Center’s programming, which teaches teens about social justice and lobbying efforts; Civil Rights trip to Alabama to learn about the uses the history, sites, and current issues as a springboard to highlight the relationship, and at times, the tension, of the Jewish and American identity; and Amsterdam to learn about the Jewish narrative in the country which impacted WWII and the Holocaust, and immigration to the U.S.
This year’s trip will take our 8th-12th graders to Philadelphia to perform acts of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). Teens will work with organizations such as food pantries, clothing warehouses and helping renovate playgrounds. The group will also experience Shabbat services and dinner at a college Hillel.
Madreecheem and Manheegeem
Madreecheem are 7th-12th grade teen assistants. This is an optional and fun volunteer opportunity for a teen to help in the Religious School program and serve as a dugma (role model) for younger participants. Madreecheem work with religious school groups and teachers, and help with various aspects of the program including, but not limited to: games, art activities, working one-on-one with participants on topics the group is learning about, etc. If a teen is interested in volunteering as a Madreech/a in the religious school, contact the Director of Education.
Manheegeem are 9th-12th grade teen facilitators who are chosen for the position due to their strong leadership and group facilitation skills. The Maheeg/ah is an integral part of the group, helping lead group activities. Manheegeem must be enrolled and participating in our Thursday evening High School program. Prospective Manheegeem participate in an interview with the Director of Education.
BBYO (B’nei Brith Youth Organization)
BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in Jewish experiences. BBYO welcomes Jewish teens of all backgrounds, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, including those with a range of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities.
Our 2024-2025 Leadership Board would love to hear from teens who are interested in participating in the chapter. Please reach out to our Director of Education so that she can connect you with our Board members.
N’siah (President) – Ariella Marcus
S’ganit (VP Programming) – Danica Frey
Aym Ha’Chaverot (VP of Membership) – Devin Ferrucci
Sh’licha (VP of Jewish Enrichment) – Dylan Rittenberg
Mazkirah (Secretary/Communications) – Sophie Dingee
Gizbor (Treasurer) – Charlie Mangot
Mekasheret (VP of Recruitment) – Olivia Feinblum
Better Together
We are pleased to be able to bring the Better Together™: An Intergenerational Program to our teens and adult population at Temple Israel and the Religious School. The goal of the program is to sensitize students to the challenges of growing older and incorporate Jewish learning and values in their interactions with the older members of their community. The Better Together™ program, now an integral part of our 7th-12th grade curriculum, includes the opportunity to create meaningful relationships between our adult and teen community. Activities will include art projects, music, text study, and documenting our shared memories. At the end of the year, we look forward to a celebration of all that we have accomplished.
The program takes place at Temple Israel. If you are an older adult looking forward to sharing your experiences and wisdom with our younger teens while engaging in meaningful interactions and learning opportunities, then this program is for you!
If you are in 7th-12th grade and looking to build a relationship with older adults in our community, while having fun, then this is the program for you! Teens also receive community service credit for their participation.
Contact Youth@tinr.org
