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Youth Groups Senior Youth GroupJunior Youth Group Volunteer for our Youth Groups At Temple Israel we believe that our children should have fun while learning about Judaism. Our youth group, headed by a professional educator and social worker, helps our young adults develop a Jewish identity while participating in age-appropriate youth programming. Through activities that incorporate music, sports, games, food and learning, the students develop and strengthen friendships among students from different school districts. Divided age appropriately, Temple Israel currently supports a Junior Youth Group for grades 7-8 and a Senior Youth Group for grades 9-12. We also offer programming for grades 5-6. The Senior Youth Group has an active Youth Board made up of high school students who are interested in assuming leadership roles in the community. They plan activities throughout the year and serve as mentors to younger children. The students in grades 9-12 also have the opportunity to participate in NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth, an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism.) NFTY gives teens a chance to get together with other Jewish teenagers from our area and around the country to share cultural experiences. Weekend long conferences filled with speakers, small workshops, and activities at different synagogues throughout our region give our young adults powerful and long lasting Jewish identity building experiences. Our Senior Youth Group also participates in the NFTY National Convention. This exciting event occurs on alternating years during school vacation. Last year, we traveled to Los Angeles to spend the week with 1000 other teenagers from across the nation. We can’t wait to attend the next convention in 2007. The students regularly meet at Temple Israel to learn more about what they can do to help repair the world through the love of Judaism and the love of humanity. The youth group spearheads many exciting temple activities which involve all ages of membership from the preschoolers right up through senior citizens. In the past, the group has sponsored nationally known singers and songwriters, including Rick Recht and his band, filling the sanctuary and social hall with great music, communal singing and dancing, and a lot of fun. The youth group also sponsors GefilteFest which provides a venue for community members from several school districts to get together, play music, and meet a wider circle of friends in a safe, exciting social arena. Other activities include a chocolate seder, moonlight bowling parties, a knitting party, sending holiday packages to college students, holiday parties, leading Friday night services in the sanctuary, attending Broadway shows together, community service projects as a group and alongside the bar-bat-mitzvah students, working with the nursery school children on holiday parties and celebrations, and getting together weekly to talk, hang out, and socialize with each other. Lori Cohen is the Youth Director and supervises all programs. Ms. Cohen has over 20 years experience working with children, teens, and their parents and constantly strives to create new and innovative activities and long term programs. In addition to a professional staff, Temple Israel has an active Youth Committee chaired by Cheri Marcus. This group of volunteers supports the Youth Program and reports to the Temple Board of Trustees. To join us, fill out the TIPSY (Senior Youth Group) Membership Form or the Junior Youth Group Membership Form and return with fee to Lori Cohen c/o Temple Office. For information on the activities of these groups or to inquire about joining one of these groups, contact the Temple office (914) 271-4705. Senior Youth Group Board Members
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