TEEN ENGAGEMENT
BHS provides a multitude of ways for high school students to be engaged in our community post B'Mitzvah. Students may choose to continue with their religious studies in our Hebrew High Program for 8th-12th graders, volunteer in our Religious School as Madrichim (teen teacher helpers), join our BHGSY youth group, partake in our special teen programming for the High Holidays, enroll in synagogue classes and offerings, as well as join any of our teen trips including a trip to Israel and the L’Taken Social Justice Seminar.
For more information about any of our teen engagement programming, contact Katie Rein, Director of the Religious School, at katie@bhsbrooklyn.org.
Brooklyn Heights Group of Synagogue Youth (BHGSY)
BHGSY is the official BHS youth group and stands for the Brooklyn Heights Group of Synagogue Youth. It’s a mouthful, we know!
We are a peer-directed youth organization that aims to strengthen the bonds between BHS teens as well as their ties to the larger synagogue community. We have created a space for Jewish teens, in grades 8 through 12, to engage with their peers outside of the classroom. BHGSY plans monthly events for its members, such as our famous food tour of the Lower East Side, Ice Skating, a Chocolate Seder, and various social action events. Major annual events include organizing the synagogue-wide High Holiday canned food drive, Hanukkah Casino Night, and doing the teen-led Shabbat service. We have also joined fellow BHS members for the annual AIDS Walk fundraiser and have volunteered at the BHS shelter and the Hebrew Union College Soup Kitchen.
Being a part of BHGSY means that all 9th through 12th graders are a part of NFTY, the North American Federation of Temple Youth. NFTY hosts events all over New York State including community service-based events and kallot, which are weekend-long trips to a URJ camp or synagogue where Jewish teens can meet people like themselves from across NYS to have conversations, connect, do competitions, and much, much more.
We know that many of our teens have hectic schedules, but we hope to engage with them at as many events as that busy schedule will permit. Being a part of BHGSY is a fun way for teens to connect with their congregational peers and an opportunity for leadership and community service. We welcome anyone to attend our weekly meetings. Please reach out to Rabbinic Intern and BHGSY Advisor Morgan Siegel to get involved morgan@bhsbrooklyn.org.
North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY)
Our teens are active participants in The North American Federation of Temple Youth; the national youth movement of Reform Judaism that connects more than 6,000 high school-age young people in grades 9 through 12. For over 75 years NFTY has offered thousands of young people the opportunity to explore and live Reform Judaism. It is a national youth movement that builds strong, welcoming, inspired communities through teen-powered engagement. Together, we pursue tikkun olam, personal growth, youth empowerment, and deep connections, all rooted in Reform Judaism.
Madrichim-Youth Teaching Assistant
Our Madrichim program provides an opportunity for our 8th-12th graders to be a teacher’s aide in the BHS Religious School. Madrichim develop leadership skills, help young children, earn community service hours, enhance their resumes and are paid a stipend each semester. They serve as incredible role models for our younger students. Year-long positions are available for September through May.
Hebrew High
BHS offers our teens the opportunity to continue their studies post B'Mitzvah in our Hebrew High Program for 8th-12th graders. Teens study weekly (8/9/10th grades) or bi-monthly (11/12th grades) with our Rabbis and other guest lecturers to learn about Israel and Jewish history around the world, prepare for their Confirmation Ceremony, and learn about ways to stay involved with life-long Jewish thought, including preparing for engagement in Jewish life on college campuses. Classes include a pizza and sushi dinner and trip to Haagen-Dazs for dessert. Hebrew High also partners with local community youth groups such as Plymouth Church to be involved in community and multi-faith learning.