Teen Program (8th-12th Grade)

CBS 1^st Annual- Experiential Teen Trip to Portland

October 13^th (after school)-October 16^th (return in the afternoon)

Open to all 8^th-12^th Graders *synagogue membership not required

Join CBS teens for our 1^st annual teen trip, a 4 day, 3 night, trip to Portland, including a full group Shabbat and Sukkot experience, getting to know the Portland Jewish community, sightseeing, learning about homelessness and grassroots activism, and working with carpenters and other professionals to assist the homeless population in Portland by building tiny homes, all in partnership with Tivnu (https://tivnu.org/).  The weekend will be staffed by Rachel Wachtel (Education and Youth Director) and well as Liel (CBS Shinshinit 2022-2023). Up to date COVID vaccination is required in order to participate.

Registration is now open here: https://www.bethshalomseattle.org/event/teentrip  Deadline- September 6^th

Cost: $250 per participant (thank you to the SAMIS Foundation for the generous grant funding that allows us to offer this program at a highly subsidized price). This includes transportation to and from Portland via train, hotel accommodations, and kosher meals throughout the weekend.

*If you have any questions or would like to request scholarship funds, please contact Rachel Wachtel.

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Additionally, we are thrilled to continue to offer the following opportunities. All of the opportunities are available for CBS members and nonmembers.  If you have any questions or comments about our teen program, please get in touch with Rachel Wachtel, CBS Education and Youth Director. Registration for the 2022-2023 academic year is now available through Shulcloud. Click here for detailed registration instructions.

Shabbat and Holidays

Youth Minyan: At Congregation Beth Shalom’s Youth Minyan, post B’nai Mitzvah teens participate in this no adults allowed service that is led by teens. Youth Minyan gives them the opportunity to practice their synagogue skills, pray with their peers, and socialize over a delicious meal. Youth Minyan will meet 6-8 times in the 2022-2023 school year. Mark your calendars for the tentative 2022-2023 dates: 9/24, 10/29, 11/19, 12/10, 1/21, 3/25, 4/29, 5/20We meet from 10:30-12:30 in the Beit Midrash. Email Gabi Robbins or Jeremy Rose  to volunteer to read Torah and lead services.

Teen Holiday Experiences: Approximately 4 times each year teens will be invited to participate in a Jewish Holiday experience along with one of the Rabbis or Educators at Congregation Beth Shalom. Some examples may include: a Hannukah Party, dinner in the sukkah, Havdallah on the beach, and more.

Community Involvement

Ozerim Program: 8th-12th graders work in our preK-5th grade religious school as special needs aides, teaching assistants, Hebrew tutors, and more.  Congregation Beth Shalom loves its ozerim! Ozerim bring energy, ideas and sparkle to the religious school and our students, parents, and teachers alike. We hope you will find a role at the CBS religious school that fits your schedule and interests – if you have another idea about how to get involved that is not on this list, please let us know! To read all about the program and the opportunities available for the upcoming school year, read details about the program here. Complete the Ozerim Program Application here. The application deadline is August 19th.

B’nai Mitzvah Tutoring: The best way to learn is to teach. 8th-12th graders are invited to work as B’nai Mitzvah tutors. This provides them with a good source of income and aids them in developing skills of patience, discipline, schedule keeping, and professionalism. Typically tutors work one-on-one with learners, this year we are working to set up an option for teens to tutor as a group and build confidence and skills so that they feel more comfortable tutoring one-on-one in the future.  Teens must complete the tutor training process (it is now part of Tuesday teen learning) before they may begin tutoring.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities:

Teens are invited to join us on to help out at the CBS Purim Carnival and other CBS events

Learning Opportunities for Teens:

Tuesday Learning: Each Tuesday teens are invited to join their peers in person from 6:30pm-8:00pm. The program starts with dinner, some social time and games just for teens and is followed by 1 hour of class time. A variety of 6 week courses are offered including high level text study, Israeli television shows, and more.