Teen Programming

Beit Sefer Phyllis Mintzer graduates and their families soon realize that a whole new world of community, friendship, independence, challenges, learning, fun and adventure is on the other side of Jewish childhood. We want our teens to continue to be active at CSZ, to explore and connect with the larger Jewish community of the Bay Area, and to become more involved with Klal Yisrael, the greater Jewish community.

Junior Congregation

During High Holidays, our Family Services are led by the Junior Congregation, a group of Beit Sefer students and graduates, who work together over the summer to create a dynamic, interactive service for the families of our congregation.

Madrichim/Guides

Our Madrichim (guides) program places teens in classrooms to learn the art of teaching, role modeling and making Jewish education fun. Our madrichim coordinate lesson planning with the assigned teacher, and help supervise classes. Madrichim receive a stipend for their work.

Youth Programs

CSZ youth come together periodically over the year for youth outings to book readings, theater and other Jewish community and/or youth events. These outings provide an excellent opportunity for CSZ youth to connect with one another, and with the broader Jewish community.

RAC Trip to Washington D.C.

CSZ teens have the opportunity every other year to participate in the Religious Action Center L’taken Seminar in Washington, DC. This intensive social action program brings teens from around the country to the heart of the Reform Movement’s social action work to study important social issues and to lobby legislators for social change. In past years, our small band of teens has had a powerful impact on their peers by using this opportunity to teach from their own experiences about LGBT issues and to raise the profile of the LGBT Jewish community.

Midrasha

Berkeley Midrasha Jewish Community High School is a multi-denominational high school program, run in conjunction with all participating synagogues (including CSZ) and the Center for Jewish Living & Learning. Classes meet Sunday mornings for three hours – one core class by grade and two electives on topics ranging from Talmud, American Jewish Cinema, Radical Jewish Women, Yiddish Conversation, Jewish Meditation & Yoga, and other engaging courses that span the spectrum of Jewish education. Midrasha is divided into core classes by grade and is augmented by weekend retreats. Open to youth in grades 8 to 12. For more information about Midrasha, contact Diane Bernbaum, Director of Berkeley Midrasha, at 510-843-4667 or diane@midrasha.org.

More Teen Opportunities

There are many intensive Jewish learning opportunities for teens that include summer trips to Israel, trekking experiences, leadership camps, social action camps, European trips, theater internships, counselor in training programs and exchange programs. Whatever your interest, the program is out there and we can help you find it. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help locating the right program for your teen.