Teen Programs
Moving from religious school students to being TBO Teens opens up a world of new experiences.
Our goal is to provide pathways to engage our teens in order for them to play an active role in building their community. Their experiences will also help them find meaning and inspiration, enabling them to strengthen their individual and collective Jewish identities
TBO: NEXT
Sunday, November 5th
Helping Hand Food Pantry
4:00-6:00 PM
Join us for a fun, hands on mitzvah of feeding the hungry! We will meet at TBO to sort all of the food donations collected during the High Holidays and on Halloween, then we'll transport everything to the Helping Hand Food Pantry in Hillsdale.
RSVP: Food Pantry Event
Tuesday, November 14th
TBO:NEXT Band Jam Session
6:00-7:30 PM
Calling all teen musicians! We'll be getting together to learn some (non-Jewish) songs and jam about once a month. Our newly formed band will also perform at the Religious School End-of-Year BBQ in May! All instruments welcome.
RSVP: Band Jam Session
NYC Shabbat Trip
Friday, November 17th
4:15-11:00 PM
Join us on Friday, November 17th for a special Shabbat service at NYC’s historic Temple Emanu-El, followed by dinner out in the city. Cost is $30 (covers transportation and dinner). RSVP for NYC Shabbat Trip
Mitzvah Market: An Alternative Holiday Gift Fair
Planning and Prep:
Wednesdays, November 22nd & 29th 5:00-7:00 PM
Open for Business:
Sunday, December 3rd 9:00-11:00 AM
Tuesday, December 5th 4:00-6:00 PM
The Mitzvah Market offers a convenient and engaging way to turn Chanukah gift-giving toward tikkun olam. We will represent causes and organizations or our choosing, selling donation acknowledgements that we will design and create. RSVP to Planning and Prep sessions and/or Open for Business days
OBOY
Organization of Beth Or Youth (OBOY) is the name of our teen youth group and is part of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), the teen arm of the Union for Reform Judaism. Anyone who participates in TBO teen programming is automatically a member of OBOY. OBOY gives our teens an opportunity to get to know each other better, share experiences/opinions and have fun. OBOY promotes a social environment that incorporates social action, religious experiences and cultural programming. Through board and chair positions, OBOY and NFTY also offer opportunities for teens to develop their leadership skills. By serving on OBOY’s executive board, teens can play a role in shaping the content and programming offered at events throughout the year. TBO’s Shawn Fogel is the advisor for OBOY, as well as the director of all teen activities. He facilitates teen programming with active participation by the rabbi and the cantor.
Madrechim Program
Students in grades 8-12 are welcome to apply to participate in our religious school madrechim program. Madrechim serve as tutors in Hebrew and Judaic studies and as role models and mentors in our religious school classes. In addition to assisting teachers and staff, these students work to develop better communication and teaching skills, under the direction of our madrechim coordinator.
All madrechim are encouraged and are expected to attend our Teen Community Night Program to contine their own spiritual and educational journey.