Our Teen Programs are focused on empowering our students to become passionate, creative leaders and role models. Our programs create lasting memories and prepare our teens for the future. In addition to our programs during the school year, we offer a number of immersive trip experiences. Learn about them and other opportunities for family engagement! Looking to get involved but don’t know how? Have an idea for a program? Is there something you’d like to learn more about? Or do you just want to get together with Temple Teens to learn, give back and have fun? Contact Em Besthoff to speak about options and to get added to the email list so you don’t miss any upcoming programs!
8th – 12th Grade Program Information
A-TEEM
A-TEEM is our Religious School’s madrichim (teachers’ aide) program. From being in classrooms to counting Tzedakah, these teens play a large role in helping our Religious School thrive! We meet before starting our day to check in, go over the schedule for the day, and review progress on personal goals for the year. A-TEEMers work on Sunday mornings from 9:00am-12:00pm or Monday evenings 4:00pm-6:00pm. Teens have the option to be paid for their time or put their hours towards community service.
Eighth Grade Fellows: What path will you follow?
A-TEEM, which stands for Amazing Temple Emanu-El Madrichim, is our Religious School’s dynamic student leadership program, and is open to eighth graders for the first time! As Eighth Grade Fellows, students will begin training as A-TEEMers, working with older teens, teachers and staff. They will explore different pathways through teaching, Tribes, theater and Emanu-El Rockers before they have the opportunity to choose where to specialize. This program is a great way for teens to step into leadership roles, interact with younger students, and make a meaningful impact on our school community.
In addition to hands-on leadership, Eighth Grade Fellows will engage in learning experiences that deepen their Jewish identity, both in and out of the classroom. Fellows will develop valuable skills, explore their interests and earn community service credit, all while forming lasting connections with peers, clergy, staff and the greater temple community.
Teen Philanthropic Committee
This program is a full-year commitment to take a leadership role in determining where $10,000 of Emanu-El’s yearly philanthropic funds are allocated. From choosing an issue area and learning how to come to consensus, to creating an RFP and administering a grants process with presentations and follow up, these teens work hard to represent Emanu-El to potential grantees and the chosen organizational recipient. This educational process includes exploration of everyone’s Jewish identity and consideration of important values that guide decision-making in day-to-day life This program is open to 8th-12th graders.
Calling Generations
Calling Generations is our way to connect teens with the deep history and legacy of Emanu-El’s community. Participating teens are matched with a senior adult Temple member for weekly phone calls, with suggested discussion ranging from sports to movies to food. Some of these incredible intergenerational relationships follow through all 4 years of high school and beyond! Some even go as far as to meet for lunch once a month! This year we’re expanding the program to include opportunities for teens and calling partners to work together on in-person service projects. This program is open to 8th-12th graders.
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.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the highest level of formal Religious School instruction. This monthly class taught by Rabbi Davidson explores questions of Jewish identity: specifically, our relationship to God, Torah, and the land, people, and state of Israel. Even if your teen did not continue in Religious School after B’nei Mitzvah, we welcome them into these conversations. The curriculum is informal and discussion-based and culminates in a service of Confirmation on the festival of Shavuot in June. The class writes the service, which offers everyone an opportunity to express their thoughts on the topics covered during the year. Confirmation is open to students in 9th or 10th grade only.
