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Teens at sinai

Temple Sinai is proud to offer both educational and social programming for teens in 8th through 12th grade. Our programs provide today’s Jewish youth with a strong connection to other Jewish teens both at Temple Sinai and within our local Reform youth movement.  Scroll down to see what's happening here and how your teen might find his/her/their connection to others.

 

 

 

The Schiff Tichon Sinai Program


Tichon Sinai will help 8th, 9th and 10th -grade teens experience joy in Jewish learning, pride in being Jewish, and a commitment to participation in Jewish life.  As soon as they have celebrating becoming bar/bat mitzvah, they are eligible to matriculate into the program. Taught by Rabbi TelRav, Tichon Sinai combines the best of classroom-based and experiential education in a cohesive program that fosters Jewish identity development and community-building.  The topics range from Ethics, to Current Events and from Career Paths to Picking the right Partner...the curriculum is driven, largely, by the teens themselves.  When our teens are connected to Temple Sinai they learn about Jewish life by actively experiencing it!  

Temple Sinai Madrichim Program

Low student-to-teacher ratios have been an important part of creating the strongest possible classroom environment for our learners.  In addition to limiting the size of each class, we also increase the number of educators by including madrichim alongside the primary teacher.  The word means, "guide" and allows teachers to provide far more individualized instruction during the class sessions.  After becoming b'nei mitzvah, students are able to volunteer as a madrich (male) or madrichah (female) in the classrooms of the younger students.  There are multiple positive outcomes including positive role modeling for the younger students, becoming the "big kid" they looked up to when they were younger and, if the madrichim stay enrolled in Tichon Sinai, then they become eligible to transition into a paid madrich internship for 11th and 12th grades - which looks great on a college application!
 

Sinai of Stamford Temple Youth (SoSTY)


Our local youth group chapter for high school students creates opportunities for students to participate in community service, social and recreational activities.  SoSTY is run for our teens - by our teens - under the mentorship of our Youth Director. They are encouraged towards leadership through planning events, working with others and participating in the leadership of the larger Temple Sinai community. In the past, the members have organized holiday programming for our younger students, gone on trips to New York City to volunteer at the Hebrew Union College Soup Kitchen, had evenings out for bowling/laser tag and they hold a  yearly "shul-in" (a sleepover at the Temple). 
 
Please follow the SoSTY Facebook page for photos and the latest information about upcoming events

SoSTY 2019-2020 Program and Event Calendar

For further information, please be in touch with Youth Director,  Erica B. Quamily

 

NFTY - North American Federation of Temple Youth


Many SoSTY teens also become active in The Union for Reform Judaism’s North American Federation of Temple Youth New York Area Region (NFTY-NAR).  This is a youth movement that builds strong, welcoming, inspired communities through teen-powered engagement. Together, we pursue tikkun olam (Social Action), personal growth, youth empowerment and other deep connections, all rooted in Reform Judaism.

The New York Area Region of NFTY serves Jewish Teens in Long Island, New York City, Westchester, and this part of Fairfield County, CT. They work in partnership with the over 70 local URJ congregations to provide meaningful Jewish experiences for middle and high school students.  

In addition, Temple Sinai is a proud part of the family of Union for Reform Judaism camps and youth programs. URJ Youth provides young people with immersive Jewish experiences in North America, and around the world, including camps, Israel trips and social action/service learning travel programs.

Join NFTY-NAR’s Email List for information about events

Click here to see the NFTY-NAR 2019-2020 Calendar of Events 

 

Temple Sinai @ College


College Students may be out of sight but they're not out of mind.  They are important to us and maintaining that connection with their home-congregation and their Jewish identity is crucial.  We have made it a priority to keep in touch with them.  At holidays, like Chanukah and Passover, Temple Sinai sends a small care package with goodies to help them celebrate while they are away from home.  At other times of the year, they may receive a little hello from us, just to let them know we are thinking of them.

For more information or to sign up your student, please click  here.

 

Parent and Family Resources 


The Union For Reform Judaism’s Youth Engagement Division - Here you will find information on URJ youth fellowships, summer camp, and travel programs and many more youth engagement opportunities. 

The Jewish Education Project’s Generation Now Survey Results - A new report, GenZ Now: Understanding and Connecting with Jewish Teens Today, unveiled at the Jewish Funders Network Conference and now released to the public, is the result of a unique collaborative partnership between funders, researchers, and the leadership of 14 national youth-serving organizations. The survey responses of 17,576 Jewish teens provides a heretofore unprecedented understanding into who these teens are, what they care about and want, and to some extent, what the Jewish community can do to enhance their lives as people, and as Jews.

Teen Mental Health - A resource for those seeking health-related to mental health for themselves or other teens.


 

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784