High School

In listening to the changing needs of our high schoolers and their families and the world around us, we are developing many options for engagement for the upcoming year. We appreciate your partnership and patience as we continue to adapt and learn together! We are piloting a new Sunday afternoon program — Schmooze with Jews — that will combine socializing and learning based on teen-driven questions and interests (and food of course!). Our Madrichol program will continue its success by incorporating more leadership training opportunities and different options for our teens to engage in the program. We plan to increase participation in immersive social experiences like West Coast Party at Camp Newman and others while continuing traditions like the Purim Sleepover and L’taken. We are excited that Rabbi Bressler will be at the helm of these experiences — feel free to reach out to her directly with questions, ideas, or anything else. 

1. Schmooze with Jews:
11 Sundays throughout the year (after Kesher) from 11:30am - 1:30pm. Eat together, hang together, learn together with your rabbis and other teen educators.Each session includes opportunities to just schmooze (hang out) or participate in conversations with one another about big questions and topics relevant to what it means to be a Jewish teenager today.

2. Madrichol at Kesher:
Did you love your madrichol (teaching assistants) when you were in Kesher? Inspire the next generation and gain valuable leadership skills! Madrichol are placed in different roles during Kesher. They also come together for one full-day training and three two-hour trainings after Kesher for leadership development, conversations about role and responsibility, and Jewish learning. The Madrichol program requires an application and only a limited number of roles are available. 8th graders and first-time 9th grade. Madrichol are volunteers (earn community service hours!) and 2nd year 9th graders and all 10th-12th graders are paid for their time, including the training sessions. Applications for the Madrichol program for 25-26 will be available over the summer.

3. Retreats and Social Programs:
Join Temple Sinai at West Coast Party, an annual four-day retreat at Camp Newman, that includes teen-led programming and services, lots of time to hang out, access to sports, art, music, and games throughout the weekend, and an opportunity to meet fellow Reform Jewish teens from the entire west coast. Temple Sinai offers significant registration subsidies for all teens who attend. Additionally, we are working to create other overnight experiences for our high school community to deepen relationships through meaningful hands-on experiences. Have you heard of or participated in awesome experiences or know of local retreat sites? Please reach out to share them with us! 

For more information, contact our Associate Rabbi and Educator, Rabbi Julie Bressler rabbibressler@oaklandsinai.org