Approximately every Rosh Chodesh (Jewish new month), we will send one of these out to update you on the amazing things our teens have been doing.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev is November 13-14!
What's in this newsletter?
"Jew" York City: HUC Soup Kitchen recap!
The Table: Get a taste of what we've been chatting about recently!
Confirmation: Escape Room Retreat and Community Building
Madrichim Corner: A word from our Madrichim Coordinator, Ryan!
BBYO: See what Eden BBG and Madhim AZA have been up to!
"Jew" York City
Our "Jew" York City program offers 8th and 9th graders 6 trips to New York City focusing on educational, cultural, and social action based themes throughout the year. This month, we completed trip #1 as our teens volunteered at Hebrew Union College's soup kitchen!
Rabbi Baken and Ryan had a wonderful time leading this year's trip to the HUC Soup Kitchen and were moved seeing our teens hard at work to help those in need. The special thing about the HUC Soup Kitchen is that everyone who comes for a meal is treated as a guest in a restaurant. The teens started by serving as runners delivering food and drinks to the tables of the guests. As more and more guests ended their meals the teens began to help pass out dessert and donated hygiene products. After helping to clean everything up, we had a thoughtful discussion about what it felt like to volunteer and help those in need. We were very impressed and so proud of them!
The Table
For the November 1st's edition of The Table, we enjoyed a tasty Israeli dinner from Falafel Palace. Our Clergy Team created a space for our students to ask whatever questions they had regarding the situation in Israel. Our students asked very thoughtful and insightful questions and we were delighted to provide them with the answers to the best of our abilities.
Confirmation
Our small but mighty Confirmation Class of 5784 began building community in their sessions with Rabbi Citrin and Rabbi Baken and also at their "retreat." The 10th graders successfully escaped from Hour to Exit and then enjoyed lunch together at Wooden Spoon. They have delved into the history of antisemitism and will continue to learn about the various tropes of antisemitism that are part of the history of the Jewish people.
Madrichim Corner
A word from our Madrichim Coordinator, Ryan
Where do I begin? I am so proud of the Madrichim for everything they have done so far and thankful for each and every one of them. In particular, I have to mention how impressed I have been with their adaptability and flexibility in every situation. Whether it has been handling a last minute change of plans, handling student questions about the situation in Israel, or welcoming me in my new role as Madrichim Coordinator right as the year was starting, all of them have continued to work with poise and professionalism. I can already tell they are true leaders and bound for great things! It has been such a joy to observe them help our teachers and more importantly help our students too!
BBYO
We are proud to host our local BBYO chapters, Eden BBG #103 and Madhim AZA #1805, approximately every other week.
Since the start of the year Eden and Madhim have been busy planning some amazing events. Highlights include a joint chapter BBQ for their kickoff, a visit from the international president of AZA for Madhim, and a successful bake sale for Eden where they raised $290 for the UJA's efforts in helping Israel!
Looking Ahead
"Jew" York City
Our next event is our trip to see a Broadway show on December 17th! We are very excited to announce that the show will be Spamalot! Sign up info will be released in the coming weeks!
There will be no JLL from November 21st to November 26th as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Madrichim who would normally have classes during those dates should not come in.
