Teen Program (8th-12th Grade)

Each year we hold an annual teen trip! This year, teens visited Phoenix, Tucson, and the border town of Nogales, Arizona, on an impactful immigration justice program. We met with organizations and people directly addressing the migration issues and enforcing the flow of migrants from Mexico to the United States. We also met with activists, homeland security agents, border patrol, retired border patrol, humanitarians, and state officials. The goal was to give a complete picture of the complex and layered issue of immigration in our country.  We partnered with Tzedek American and were joined by teens from another Conservative Congregation, Temple Israel Center in White Plains, NY.  

Thank you to the SAMIS Foundation for their generous support of this program.
Learn more about the SAMIS foundation here.

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 2024-2025 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 2023-2024 school year. Mark your calendars for our 2024-2025 dates: 9/14, 10/26, 12/7, 1/11, 2/1, 3/22, 5/10.  We meet from 10:30-12:30 in the Beit Midrash.

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- It's time to apply! Applications due 8/18

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!  This application is both for new ozerim and also returning ozerim. Complete the Ozerim Program Application here:  https://www.bethshalomseattle.org/form/ozerim-application-2024-2025.html

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 2024-2025:

Tuesday Learning: Each Tuesday teens are invited to join their peers in person from 6:30pm-8:00pm. The program starts with dinner. A variety of 6 week courses are offered including high level text study, Israeli television shows, and more.