(The following announcement was recently sent to TBC members who have teenaged children. We wanted to share it with the entire TBC community so that all of our members are aware of this exciting new youth initiative. We hope that you'll share this with friends who have teens both in and out of the TBC community.)
There are so many exciting opportunities for teens at TBC this year! I hope you'll take a look at the attached calendar of events and share it with your teen along with this email.
Highlights of this year's program
Programs are open to teens in grades 8-12 (the one exception is the L'Taken social justice program in Washington, DC which is limited to 10-12th graders)
- Varied program schedule - some Fridays, some Saturdays, some Sundays - it all depends on the program
- Leadership opportunities and input into program planning
- Some programs will be open to non-members of TBC - we're encouraging our teens to bring their Jewish friends to some events
- The traditional Sunday Confirmation class with Rabbi Bearman is still part of the schedule with plans for new and creative experiences
- Students who previously attended the L'Taken social justice program in Washington, DC will be welcome to attend again
- Confirmation service for 10th graders - May 29
Teens can sign up for the entire year of programming, which can be done by completing the attached registration form. Another option is that select events on the calendar will be open to any interested participants. Those events will be advertised individually throughout the year and separate fees will apply, which will not apply to full year participants. Please note that all 10th graders who intend to be included in the Confirmation class and service must be registered for the year.
Interested, but not sure yet about signing up for the year?
Come to the September activities. See what TBC Teens is all about. See who else is interested. Bring your friends and decide together what TBC Teens can be for you.
Sunday, September 15 is the
TBC Softball Game, 9:30-11:30am. I hope you'll be there.
Click here to sign up.
Saturday, September 21 - Join us at TBC for a joint teen program with Temple Shir Shalom of Ridgefield to experience Selichot, the mystical and moving ushering in of the High Holy Day season. That's all I'm telling you. You'll have to come and see for yourself. It's from 7:30-9:30pm. RSVP to me.
If you like what you see during September, then you can sign up for the year. Of course, you can sign up right now if you've already made up your mind.
One More Opportunity
If you're in 8-12th grade, you can volunteer as a madrich or madricha in the religious school on Sunday mornings or Wednesday afternoons. Madrich/madricha is Hebrew for guide. In our setting, madrichim (plural) work in classrooms and around the school to help guide our younger students on their Jewish journeys. It's an important and gratifying role that I hope you'll consider. You're invited to attend an informational and training session on Sunday, September 22 from 11:45am-1pm. Please RSVP to me if you're interested in participating in this special volunteer opportunity.
Parents, as I mentioned above, please share this information with your teens. Clearly, I've written much of this email directly to them. I hope you'll have a discussion at home about the value and benefits of staying connected to your Jewish community. We would love for TBC to continue to be a meaningful part of your teenagers' lives just as we hope it remains a meaningful part of yours.
Please reach out if there is anything you would like to discuss with me.
As the holidays approach, I want to wish you and your family a Shana Tova u'metuka - a happy, healthy and sweet New Year!
