The Journal of Youth Engagement is an online forum of ideas and dialogue for those committed to engaging youth in vibrant Jewish life and living. Join the discussion and become a contributor.
Over the past five years, our congregation has endeavored to answer the question: “What do our parents want their children to get out of Religious School?” We have held meetings with parents across the congregation to better understand what they want. As a result of our meetings, we identified the following main goals:
- That they make friends
- That they have fun while learning at Religious School
- That their Jewish identity be developed through Jewish cultural and social experiences – time with friends doing Jewish activities such as cooking and singing.
- Bruce Raff at Temple Judea in West Hills, California,
- Rabbi Beth Nichols from Temple Israel in New Rochelle, New York
- Rafi Esterson at Kesher Newton in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Avram Mandell who was then at Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles
- Rabbi Nicki Greninger at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California
- Mindy Davids, at Temple Shaaray Tefilla in New York City.
- Debby Stone, teacher of 20 years at Temple Solel, who wrote lesson plans for Kesher
- Linda Silverman Leveine, teacher of 12 years at Temple Solel, who wrote the chugim plans
Related Posts
Image

Combating Climate Change One Dollar at a Time
In April 2024, after two years of study and engagement with many internal and external partners, the Union for Reform Judaism passed a landmark resolution calling on Reform Jewish individuals, congregations and our communal institutions to transition our investments, pensions, and endowments away from fossil fuel interests.
Image

Supporting Immigrants and Refugees in This Challenging Moment
Welcoming the stranger, or immigrant, is a core part of Jewish tradition, mentioned 36 times in the Torah. We affirm our commitment to create the same opportunities for today's immigrants that were so valuable to our own community not so many years ago.
Image

Inspiring Teens to be Tomorrow’s Leaders
Over the weekend of January 17-20, over 250 teens from 11 NFTY regions - the largest NFTY event since 2020 - were welcomed to URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA for a weekend of connection, joyful Jewish moments, social action, and fun.