Our current post-B’nai Mitzvah program for teens received a 2025 Best of Jewish Philadelphia Award for Best Synagogue Youth Programming by the Jewish Exponent. Recognizing that today’s teens juggle busy schedules and a wide range of interests, the program is designed to be flexible and inclusive. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, teens choose what excites them and participate in the aspects that fit their interests and availability.
The program offers: learning experiences, social gatherings, community service projects, music and creative expression, and leadership opportunities. The program allows our teens to take ownership of their involvement, explore their interests and stay connected to Judaism, Beth Am Israel, and each other.
8th-10th Grade Learning:
We will offer nine lessons on Sunday evenings in three distinct units. Sessions are 60 minutes and include light snacks.
Unit 1: Jewish Culture (around the Jewish world in food, art, and music)
Unit 2: Mussar Practice (embodying Jewish values and precepts to live by)
Unit 3: Israel, Palestine and “US” (exploring the different narratives shaping our understanding (or misunderstanding) of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East)
11th-12th Grade Learning:
We will offer six sessions on Sunday evenings. Sessions are 90 minutes and will include dinner. Sessions focus on the following topics as seen through a Jewish lens:
Session 1: Democracy
Session 2: Environment
Session 3: Artificial Intelligence
Session 4: Immigration
Session 5: Jews of Africa
Session 6: Israel/Palestine
9th Grade Rosh Chodesh Girls Group
This monthly gathering offers teens a chance to come together for food, prayer, and learning. Guided by the themes of the Hebrew month, the group explores stories of women in the Torah, making connections between the rhythm of their lives and the Jewish year cycle. This gathering is specific to women-identifying teens.
Volunteering
Tikkun Olam is at the heart of what we do at BAI and infused in our teen program. Through meaningful service opportunities, our teens are inspired to live out Jewish values by helping others, building compassion, and becoming responsible citizens committed to improving the world. Partnering with Philadelphia-area nonprofits and BAI committees, teens volunteer throughout the year on a variety of projects, both within the BAI community and beyond.
Teen Music Jam
A monthly Sunday night program offering teens a supportive and collaborative space to make music together. Led by Hazzan Harold, the Teen Music Jam is part band, part improvisational space, and part chance to learn new music, all while building music-making skills. Our Teen Music Jam is open to all levels and instruments, including singers, and no music-reading experience is required. Occasional collaboration with the Music Prayer Lab allows for unique intergenerational creativity.
Special Events
In addition to learning and leadership, we create time for our teens to connect and socialize with one another. Previous special events have included game nights, museum field trips, arcade visits, movie nights, and more.
