The Education and Youth Department at Beth El actively engages all types of learners utilizing a variety of materials and approaches inside and outside the classroom. The Talmud Torah and Youth Groups provide students with opportunities to learn, pray and socialize with other Jewish students. Beth El youth are encouraged through these activities to create a synagogue-based community of their own outside the classroom. At Beth El we recognize that informal learning and socializing outside of class-time is as important as the formal structured classroom and the Beth El youth and education experience presents many such opportunities. We follow the guidelines of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in our Talmud Torah curriculum and Youth Group programs.
Beth El Congregation has a dynamic youth group program for students in grade 1 – 12. Atid, for students in grades 1-3 has activities once a month. Kadima, for students in grades 4-6 has a lounge one Wednesday each month and a monthly activity – check the calendar and blogposts for updated information on activities. Shira James is the Atid & Kadima advisor. Contact Shira at youth.bethelphoenix@gmail.com
Jr. USY is the 7th & 8th grade youth group. It, along with the 9th – 12th grade youth group, USY, has a weekly lounge on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 on weeks when Talmud Torah is in session (check out the Talmud Torah calendar at http://bethelphoenixed.wordpress.com for the Talmud Torah schedule. USY also has programs at least one Sunday a month. In addition, both Sr. & Jr. USY groups participate in local, regional and national Kinnusim and programs. Rachel Stern is our USY advisor and can be contacted at usy.bethelphoenix@gmail.com
Beth El USY & Kadimah are part of Far West Region USY. Far West Region hosts activities every 4-6 weeks for youth around the region. Retreats (Kinnusim), Shabbatonim, and dances rule the regional calendar. Our region is made up of Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Hawaii. What a great opportunity to make and visit friends from all over the southwest!
Beth El Youth Group membership forms are available here — 2009-2010 Beth El Youth Group membership form. Far West Region USY forms are available from this link — Far West Region Forms
The Director of Education and Youth Programming, Janette Silverman can be reached at jsilverman@bethelphoenix.com or 602-944-3359, ext 123
