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Teen Program

In the spring of 2023, over twenty teens gathered and, facilitated by Hazzan Harold, Rabbi David, Cantor Jenn, and Sara Chernov, they dreamed up a program they would actually attend.  From these sessions came our current teen program, which features four different ways to participate: learning, community service, teaching, and social outings. Teens can opt into as many aspects of our program as they like.

Register Here

The Four Aspects of the Teen Program

1. Learning

Our teens meet weekly with our clergy to learn about issues that matter to them. We use Moving Tradition’s Kulam curriculum, and our teens let us know which topics from that curriculum are the most interesting to them. Topics that we have covered in the past include Jewish identity, modern Israel, mental health, climate change, Jewish perspectives on AI, and LGBTQ inclusion.

2. Doing

Once a month, there will be an opportunity for ‘doing’ or getting out in the community in a variety of ways. In the past, our teens have participated in the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM), volunteered at a soup kitchen, baked for those in need, participated in park cleanups and other environmental causes, and created interfaith connections with other teens. The exact time of each event will be determined by the nature of the event itself.

3. Social Outings

Time to hang out and socialize, bond, connect, have fun. The teens who helped shape our program also want time to just have fun together. We brainstormed at least two years’ worth of fun stuff, and we typically have three or four events such as an escape room and go carts, planned by our teens. In addition, we may take a day trip to a nearby city such as NYC or DC. Stay tuned for details and Save the Date for Hersheypark on Sunday, April 6, 2025!

4. Teaching

Be a leader and teacher for our younger students during our Thursday and Shabbat Shorashim sessions by participating in our madrichim/leadership-teacher training program. Attend four trainings throughout the year to learn skills necessary to be an effective teacher. Sign up for a season (fall, winter, spring) or the whole year.

Meet the BAI Youth Advisor Molly Gray:

I am so excited to be taking on this role for the 2024-2025 school year. Some of you I have had the joy of meeting in my role as the office admin, and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of you! My goal for this position is to create community both in BAI’s building and out in the world.

I will be reaching out to get to know our teens as individuals and plan engaging programming. The best programs are the ones that our teens are invested in. If any teens have a topic or activity they’d like to explore this year, please feel free to reach out with your ideas!

You can contact me at officeadmin@bethamisrael.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Payment for the 2024-2025 school year is $950 per BAI teen. This tuition helps to cover the cost for staffing, food, and educational resources at all of our programs.

Additional entrance fees or travel-related cost (i.e., escape room, trip to NYC) are not included in the $950 payment.

If you have any questions or personal concerns, please speak directly with our Education Director, Cantor Jenn.

There is no reduced rate and no a la carte pay structure. We are hoping that even if students are committing to one or some (but not all) of the program, that they might be inclined to participate in other events that come up during the year.

We want to show both flexibility on our end but also require students to show responsibility and accountability. If your teen knows in advance about commitments in each ‘season’, then they should sign up to be a madrich when they know they can be at Shorashim week in and week out (illness and the occasional absence aside).

We count on our madrichim to be both a responsible older example for our younger students, and to engage in madrichim learning sessions throughout the year.

The madrichim learning sessions will be facilitated by the Education Director four times throughout the year at a time that works in our madrichim’s schedules. These sessions will help our madrichim develop their teaching skills, cultivate a classroom management style, and train them in the unique skills of outdoor education.


Yes! That is welcome! If a teen who is not a member of BAI wants to join the Teen Program, the cost to participate is $1,200, and we would love to have them join us!