Teens : Jewish Teen Links

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St. Louis Links

There are many great organizations in St. Louis that offer a wide variety of activities for Jewish youth. If you would like to have your organization listed below, please contact Maxine Weil at (314) 442-3753 or mweil@cajestl.org.

National Links

Below are a list of National Organizations that offer programs and activities for Jewish Teenagers.

General Information

Cultural Leadership

A year-long educational leadership program for black and Jewish high school students to teach them about their own and each others race, religion, culture, and history, the bigger issues of institutional racism, power, privilege, and prejudice, and teaches them how to have a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual goals, how to dismantle racism, and become change agents.
Contact: Karen Kalish (314) 725-3222 or www.culturalleadership.com

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iTAG
Teens empower teens to advocate on behalf of Israel. 
A program of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

Have you ever been in a situation where a classmate or teacher made an inaccurate statement about Israel but you didn’t know how to respond?  Do you want your friends to know how cool Israel is but you’re not sure how to do that?

iTag empowers teens to take an active role in Israel advocacy efforts, and provide them with tools to do so with the guidance of JCRC staff.  If you are passionate about Israel, back from a trip to Israel, or would like to learn more about Israel and how to speak up for Israel, join iTag’s e-list to hear about our upcoming activities.
Contact: Heather Paperner (314) 442-3770


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It's A Girl Thing!
A Program of Nishmah: The St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project

It’s a Girl Thing! brings Jewish girls together monthly to learn and grow together in the spirit of Rosh Hodesh. Through its informal setting, small group size, and carefully designed activities It’s a Girl Thing promotes empowerment to enrich the Jewish identity of adolescent girls. Programs include: creative arts & expression, celebration of Jewish rituals, role models from Jewish tradition, group discussion, food & friendship! Grade specific groups for girls in grades 6-8 meet at sponsor sites throughout the community. Monthly meetings begin in September.
Contact: Ronit Sherwin (314) 454-1968
ronit@nishmah.org

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Jewish Student Union

The Jewish Student Union (JSU) of St. Louis reaches out to unaffiliated teens on public school campuses.  JSU of St. Louis began in the fall of 2002 and has clubs in Ladue, Clayton and Parkway Central and North High Schools.  JSU clubs create a fun, safe and loving community for Jewish teens from all backgrounds providing a full range of services including school-based JSU clubs, leadership training, social and educational programs, conventions, summer camps, and referral to other Jewish organizations and services. JSU activities take place throughout the Jewish community. Contact: Rabbi Michael Rovinsky (314) 498-6279
jsustlouis@aol.com
www.jsu.org

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Maccabi Games

The JCC Maccabi Games have been offering a life- and personality-shaping experience to Jewish teenagers since 1982. At this Jewish Olympic style event, each of the more than 6000 athletes has the chance to participate in one of 14 sporting events, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The Games also promote community involvement, teamwork, and pride in being Jewish. The energy and excitement make it a unique and unforgettable experience for every participant, from athletes to volunteers, from coaches to Host families.

Tryouts will be held in February and March of 2006.  Athletes may try out for more than one sport, however, may only participate in one sport during the Games.  For a list of sports in which to compete and for more information go to the JCC website (www.jccstl.org), or contact:

Joey Boime (314) 442-3423
jboime@jccstl.org

Fanchon Auman (314) 442-3157
fauman@jccstl.org

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March of the Living

For the past 20 years, the March of the Livign has been the premier Poland/Israel trip in the world.  This intensive two-week program brings participants to Poland to visit the concentrations camps of Treblinka, Majdanek and Auschwitz as well as the historical sites of the communities that were once the center of the Jewish world.  Holocaust Remembrance day is observe with a gathering of thousands of participants on the "March of the Living" from Auschwitz to Birkenau.  The second week is spent in Israel where participants experience Israel's Memorial Day observance and Independence day celebrations.  For a more complete description including dates and costs for this Spring's trip, click here.

The impact of the March of the Living will last a lifetime!  Your understanding of the world, your heritage, and yourself will never be the same. This is truly an opportunity not to be missed!

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Nishmah Banot

Being a teenage girl can be challenging at the best of times. Nishmah Banot is an opportunity for young women in grades 9-12 to come together in an informal, social setting. Programs mix fun activities with empowering experiences in a Jewish context and begin in late August.
Contact: Ronit Sherwin (314) 454-1968
ronit@nishmah.org

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Panim: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values

Panim is a national organization that sponsors several programs for Jewish teenagers.  Follow the link to learn about Panim's Summer JAM.  Click the following link for information on the Panim el Panim seminar in Washington D.C.  In St. Louis, Panim's Jewish Civics Initiative (JCI) is administered through the Shaare Shalom religious school.  For more information about JCI, in please contact Chani Pinsberg (314) 725-6230.

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Student-to-Student
a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council

Prejudice often results from a lack of knowledge and familiarity.  In response, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) developed  Student-to-Student, a program that seeks to reduce stereotypes and prejudice in the students it reaches.  The Student-to Student program makes presentations in public schools throughout the metropolitan St. Louis region.  Since its creation in 1992, Student-to-Student has reached thousands of students in area schools who now can put a “human face” to Judaism—the best antidote to bigotry and intolerance.  Participants are Jewish high school juniors and seniors and is by application only. Contact: Fawn Chapel (314) 442-3871
www.jcrcstl.org

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Teen Council

The Teen Leadership Council gathers leaders from local youth groups for leadership development, training and program coordination.  Ask your advisor if you would like to participate or contact: 
Maxine Weil at (314) 442-3757
mweil@cajestl.org.

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SLICE - St. Louis Interfaith Community Exploration
In coordination with the JCRC Social Justice Initiative and St. Louis Interfaith Partnership

SLICE is a weeklong opportunity to pursue social justice in our own backyard with teen from other faith communities.  For participants in 8th-10th grade the week begins with an interactive poverty simulation to learn more about the lives of low income families including single parents, eople with disabilities and senior citizens on social security.  The remainder of the week is dedicated to community service projects.
Program begins in early June.
Contact:  Marci Mayer-Eisen (314) 442-3894
meisen@jcrcstl.org.

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Events

Yom Limmud

Yom Limmud is a one-day festival of unique Jewish experiences.  Over 200 Jewish teens from St. Louis will gather for an exciting day of workshops with people they don't usually see and on topics that are not part of the normal curriculum.  Yom Limmud is a chance to explore all that Jewish life and culture have to offer.

View photos from Yom Limmud

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Choices

Choices: Jewish College Fair is an opportunity to explore your college options from a Jewish perspective.  College is the first time you will be on your own in making Jewish decisions about your life, and the first - and maybe most important - decision is where you'll go to school.  Have you considered: How many Jewish students are on campus?  Is the Jewish campus community active?  Are there Shabbat services?  Is there a Hillel or Chabad serving the campus?  These questions and more can be answered at Choices.  For more complete program information, click here.

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Youth Groups

BBYO
Bnai Brith Youth Organization

BBYO is the world's largest and oldest youth organization for Jewish teens grades 9-12.   Meets Tuesday night at 7 pm at the JCC Fox Campus.
Contact: Brett Bunsick (314) 442-3433
bbunsick@jccstl.org
www.jccstl.org

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NCSY
National Council of Synagogue Youth

NCSY is a multi-faceted Jewish Youth group which is open to all Jewish youth regardless of background and affiliation that offers social and educational programming.
Contact: Rabbi Michael Rovinsky (314) 498-NCSY (6279)
ncsystlouis@aol.com
www.stlouisncsy.org

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NFTY
North American Federation of Temple Youth

NiFTY, the youth group of the Reform Movement offers thousands of young people the opportunity to explore and live Reform Judaism through individual Temple-based youth groups, regional conventions and national camps.  For more information, contact your Temple Youth Group (TYG):

TIFTY - Temple Israel
Contact: Debbie Schultz or Jennifer Patchin
(314) 432-8050 ext 239
tifty_stlouis@hotmail.com

CERTY - Central Reform Congregation
Contact: Rachel Berla
(314) 570-3114 or (314) 361-3919
rachel_melanie@hotmail.com

SETYG – Shaare Emeth
Contact: Jodi Miller
(314) 569-1273
jmiller@shaare-emeth.org

UHTYG - United Hebrew
Contact: Lee Rosenberg
(314) 469-0700
uhtyg@unitedhebrew.org                         

KABEEY - Kol Am, Bnai El, Emanuel Youth
Contact: Sam Wise
(314) 853-7166
kabeey1@gmail.org

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USY
United Synagogue Youth

The high school age affiliate of The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, USY brings Jewish teens great friends and exciting programs in your synagogue and around the world... and transforms Jewish leaders for the next generation.

Bnai Amoona
Contact: Barbie Barnholtz
(314) 576-9990
barbie@bnaiamoona.com
www.bnaiamoona.com

BSKI
Contact:
(314) 725-6230
www.e-bski.org/usy

Shaare Zedek
Contact: Iris Hinderliter
(314) 727-1747
blothi@umsl.edu
www.freewebs.com/shaarezedekusy

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Youth Group Sports Leagues

The Jewish Community Center (JCC) coordinates inter-youth group sports leagues for each season.
Call to register your team and to receive further program details.
Contact: Brett Bunsick (314) 442-3433
bbunsick@jccstl.org

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Community School Programs

JOLT

The Jewish Opportunities & Learning for Teens is a Jewish education program for students in grades 8-12.  Administered by CAJE, and sponsored by a number of congregations, JOLT offers an elective curriculum to compliment the core courses offered at religious school on Sunday mornings.  JOLT meets on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30pm and this trimester at Congregation Bnai Amoona. Click here for more information.


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Tichon

Tichon is a program of Jewish study for students in grades 9-12.  Tichon courses are taught from a traditional perspective with Jewish text at the program's center.  Meeting on Sunday mornings from 10am-1pm at CAJE, Tichon students choose three elective courses.  Students of any background are welcome.  For more complete information Tichon, send an email to Tichon@aol.com

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Jewish Summer Camps

Camp Sabra

Camp Sabra is located on the magnificent Lake of the Ozarks and is a program of the St. Louis JCC. With 70 years of tradition, Camp Sabra helps campers entering grades 3-12 experience the joy of being Jewish with a summer of fun, excitement and adventure.
(314) 442-3465
info@campsabra.com
www.campsabra.com

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JCC Teen Mitzvah Camp

The St. Louis Jewish Community Center offers several options for teenagers, including travel programs with opportunities to interact with teens from other communities, mitzvah projects and counselor-in-training. 
Contact: Brett Bunsick (314) 442-3433
bbunsick@jccstl.org
www.jccstl.org

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Camp Ben Frankel

Camp Ben Frankel, near Carbondale, IL, serves Jewish children entering grades 1-10 with an intimate environment and friendly staff.  Hebrew, T'filot, Israeli song and dance, and a wonderful Shabbat experience enable campers to learn more about their Jewish heritage and values and gain a new sense of Jewish pride and Jewish identity.
 (877) 714-6103
cbf@simokyfed.com
www.simokyfed.com

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Camp Livingston

The Robert Krohn Livingston Memorial Camp in southeastern Indiana offers a "magical" summer experience for children and teens. Camp Livingston provides a safe and nurturing environment where campers gain self esteem and confidence, and form lasting friendships, in an exciting atmosphere with Jewish culture and fun in mind.
(888) 564-CAMP
andy@camplivingston.com
www.camplivingston.com

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