Our Teen Programs are focused on empowering our students to become passionate and creative leaders and role models. Our programs create lasting memories and prepare our teens for the future.
Religious School Social Media
Teen Programs
Teen Night Programs
Learn more about our 8th-12th grade programs: Tzedek League, Teen Philanthropic Committee and Teen Leadership Council
Teen Trips
For more information on our 8th Grade Trip to New Orleans & our 8th Grade Civil Rights Journey
Teen High Holy Days
Start the Jewish new year off by taking a leadership role in our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services and lead an iyyun (prayer reflection). Over the summer teens will work with Temple clergy and staff to prepare for the High Holy Days, gain a better understanding of a particular prayer and craft their short piece. Teens will present iyyunim during the services to help teens and families connect to the prayers.
Teen Philanthropic Committee
How would you use $10,000 to help New York City? This committee has been tasked with just that responsibility by Temple Emanu-El’s Philanthropic Committee. Eighth graders through 12th graders come together monthly to go through the grant-making process. Students choose an issue affecting New Yorkers about which they care, create a mission statement, and design an application that nonprofit organizations will use to request a grant. The year culminates in a check-presentation ceremony. The committee meets one weekday evening a month.
Teen Leadership Council
The Teen Leadership Council, made up of representatives from each of our teen groups and general teen representatives, helps bring together our teen community. The council plans events for leaders across the teen programs, organizes community-service activities for all Emanu-El teens, and facilitates teen engagement with such temple-wide events such as Mitzvah Day and the Purim Carnival. Council members come together at monthly meetings, where they learn and utilize leadership skills to engage the Temple Emanu-El teen community.
Calling Generations
This program pairs Temple teens with adult congregants to form a mutually beneficial ongoing relationship via short weekly phone conversations. This is an opportunity to learn more about the Emanu-El community and share your excitement about your involvement in it. The catalyst for creating this program was COVID-19 which has led to teens having extra free time and some adults feeling isolated. We hope that the relationships that are formed through this intergenerational program outlast the quarantine.
Social Justice Discussion Group
This peer-led group offers a space for honest and safe conversations while developing opinions on current human rights issues and learning Judaism’s position on these difficult subjects. Different topics relating to social justice will be covered each month, utilizing multiple types of media as starting points for conversations. Discussions open with “Agreements” to create a safe space and end with resources for teens to continue to develop their understanding of how to play a role in speaking up against injustice when they see it. SJDG takes place via Zoom, so teens can participate from anywhere!
Confirmation
Confirmation is a year-long program for high-school-age members of Temple Emanu-El. Meeting twice a month, students celebrate their affirmation of faith and commitment to Torah in a moving ceremony on Shavuot in our majestic Fifth Avenue Sanctuary.
A-TEEM
A-TEEM stands for Assistant Temple Emanu-El Madrichim (Leaders). The A-TEEM is a working and teaching experience geared for our 9th through 12th graders, tasked with administrative duties and hands-on involvement with students and curriculum.
College & Boarding School Connections
Our College and Boarding School Connection programs serves as a resource for our college-aged students so they know that Emanu-El remains a home for them no matter where they are. Give us your child’s school address and we will send them holiday-themed care packages throughout the year to offer them a little taste of home and remind them that they are missed. We also regularly come together in person with our College Connection group over winter and summer breaks, facilitating ongoing relationships with Emanu-El staff and clergy
