Bet Torah Teen Talk
for 8th-12th graders
Included in this edition of Teen Talk :
Friday, June 1
Sunday, June 3
Friday, June 8
Wednesday, June 6
Sunday, June 10
Sunday, June 17
Sunday, August 19 - Sunday, August 26

PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY 
Equality, Identity, Agency - Sunday, June 10
Jew York Pride - Sunday, June 24
Rethinking Mini-Courses Teen Survey
As you know, TLC has been a huge success this year! This year, we've engaged 60% of our 8th-12th graders in at last one TLC program. But we need to re-think our Mini-Courses.

Please help us! We need teens currently in 8th-11th grade to take this survey.
USY Elections
Running For Office

Serving on the BTUSY Board is a way to shape the chapter's events, focus, and program for next year, and beyond! Join us and take a leadership role in the future of Bet Torah! We know 2018-2019 is going to be an amazing year! 

All paid USY members can run for all Vice Presidential Offices. Paid Kadima members currently in 7th and 8th grade can run for 8th Grade and 9th Grade Representatives.
If you are interested in running for office, you must do the following:
  1. Fill out our Declaration of Candidacy, stating your intent to run for office by noon on Tuesday, June 5. (Descriptions of roles and responsibilities of officers are in the Election Packet.)
  2. Please bring your Statement of Understanding (the last two pages of the Election Packet), signed by both parent and teen, with you to Elections on Wednesday, June 6.

Please let us know you have any questions! Email Hannah Bolen and Sari Brusso, Co-Presidents, or Loen Amer.
Elections and End of Year Pizza Party
Wednesday, June 6, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
at Co-President Sari Brusso's home,
9 Mountain Ave., Mt. Kisco, NY

We invite all USYers to be involved with this election, run or not, win or not. There is no fee to attend the dinner and celebration, but only paid members in 8th-12th grade can vote.

(A candidate DOES NOT need to be present at Elections, but a personal statement must be read at Elections on their behalf.)
Blessing for High School Graduates
Friday, June 1, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
at Bet Torah
We invite 12th graders and their families to mark your child's transition from high school to their next phase of life.
Celebrate Israel Parade
Sunday, June 3, 12:45 p.m.
meet at 52nd Street and 6th Avenue, NYC
 (in front of the CBS building)
Bet Torah USY and TLC is excited to be marching in the Celebrate Israel Parade again this year with METNY USY. This is a great day to celebrate Israel, see friends, and spend time with other Jewish teens!

We are meeting in NYC at 52nd Street and 6th Avenue, on the corner by the CBS building, across from TD Bank at 12:45 p.m.

Transportation will not be provided to the parade. All participants are responsible for their own transportation. Staff supervision will only be provided during the parade itself. Participants will be free to go as they please at the conclusion of the parade. (Our teens often choose to have dinner together, hang out, or go to other Celebrate Israel events in Central Park.)
Please note that all teens must  sign up through Regpack and and purchase the  official USY T-shirt. We would love to have all families join us, and there is the opportunity to purchase additional T-shirts in Regpack.
Better Together Oneg and Family Celebration
Friday, June 8, 6:00 - 7:45 p.m.
at Bet Torah
Better Together participants and their families are invited to join us to celebrate the end of the two-year Better Together program.

Better Together at Bet Torah  is generously sponsored by a prominent national foundation. 

The program will start before Kabbalat Shabbat, and end with a dessert oneg after services. 
METNY Six Flags Trip
Sunday, June 10
busing included from Westchester County (location TBA)
to Six Flags Great Adventure, NJ
There's no better way to start off the summer than with games and rides at Six Flags Great Adventure with other Jewish teens from Bet Torah and METNY!

This program is for all Jewish 8th-12th graders, and 7th graders from Bet Torah, only.
Cost: $75, including busing and full day pass.
Take BT Out to the Ballgame!
Sunday, June 17, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
at Palisades Credit Union Park , Pomona, NY
Friends in Club 45, Kadima, USY, TLC, alumni, and their families and friends are invited to bring dads, granddads, uncles, cousins, brothers, and special folks of all ages to a fun-filled day at Rockland Boulders Baseball!
Your $15 ticket includes box seat tickets to the game and a baseball hat!
Get ready for the best week of your life
METNY Encampment 2018
Sunday, August 19 - 26 at Camp Ramah, Wingdale
Encampment is an amazingly fun time at the end of the summer, right before school starts. For a week, 450+ teens in grades 6-8 (Kadima) and 9-12 (USY) live in a welcoming, exciting Jewish environment. Encampment is open to current 5th-11th graders (who will be starting 6th-12th grade in September).
Each of our days is filled with camp activities like  Color War,  joyous prayer services,  sports and outdoor adventure,  meals,  engaging Jewish learning, and  time to just relax and get to know new friends at beautiful Camp Ramah. Encampment is unlike any other program, and you don't want to miss it!
Bet Torah Youth believes strongly in this program and so we want to provide financial support. We offer a  $325 reimbursement of tuition  for those attending the full week (that's 50% off the early bird tuition).

Are not able to attend the full week and can only go for a few days? We also offer $100 reimbursement for those that attend for a half-week.

The only requirements for the reimbursement is that you are a Bet Torah congregant in good standing, and the teen be up to date on youth group membership dues for 2018-2019.
Partners in Our Community
Equality, Identity, Agency
Exploring Gender, Sexuality and Inclusion in the Jewish Community
Sunday, June 10, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at Temple Israel of the City of New York, NY
Gender, pronouns, identity, binary, equality, sexuality, agency, inclusion, consent…

For most of us, it's overwhelming and confusing. Why are these issues deeply Jewish? Why are teens so vital to changing the culture? Where do you fit into the puzzle?

Come together with teens from NFTY, Keshet, Moving Traditions and Jewish communities across NY for a day of community to deepen understanding and develop shared language around gender equality, identity and sexual agency. Sessions will combine opportunities for education and skill building to empower us to be changemakers in our daily lives, the Jewish community and beyond.

Keynote: Rabbi Tamara Cohen, Chief of Innovation for Moving Traditions.

Hosted by NFTY NAR, Moving Traditions & Keshet in partnership with the Jewish Education Project and UJA Federation.

This event is open to any Jewish teen in grades 9-12. Vegetarian lunch and snacks will be provided. Cost: $36, Register by June 1.
Jew York Pride
A New York Pride Celebration for LGBTQ and Ally Teens, Families, and Community Members
Sunday, June 24, details TBA
Details still coming, but save the date! 

Jew York Pride is the third annual Pride event to celebrate inclusion of LGBTQ+ and ally Jewish teens. Attend brunch, and then march with other LGBTQ and ally Jews in a special contingent at the NYC Pride March . Event hosts include Keshet and JQY .

Contact Justin at justin@keshetonline.org for more information.
Questions?
Email Loen Amer at youth@bettorah.org .