Through a comprehensive Youth Program, designed to provide fun and engaging activities, Temple Emanu-El offers a vibrant, Jewish atmosphere for children and teenagers. We also are actively engaged in outreach to college students (e.g., visits from our Rabbi, Hanukkah and Purim packages, etc).
Monthly Youth activities range from New Year’s parties for Rosh HaShanah, Bingo and Casino Nights, Israel focused programs such as “The Bus to Israel” and Jewpardy, Bowling, Lazer Tag, Chocolate Seders and much much more.
Temple Emanu-El also has a “hip” Youth Lounge that offers a relaxing and comfortable place for our children and teens to hang out with their friends in a supervised environment. In addition to our Youth programs, we host synagogue wide Family Programs such as Sukkah Decorating, an annual Hanukkah Bash, Boutique and Book Fair, Purim Party, Seudah and Carnival. We also participate in community activities such as the UJA of North New Jersey’s Mitzvah Day and the “Salute to Israel Parade”.
We look forward to welcoming you and your children at all of our Temple Events!
- TA’AM Emanu-El/TA’AM Shabbat (Birth – 5 years old). Ta’am means “taste” in Hebrew and this group is designed to give parents and children a taste of what Temple Emanu-El has to offer. All activities and programs are geared to the needs and interests of young families. Our hope is to instill a love of Judaism for you and your children while making sure your entire family feels at home when they come to synagogue.
Sunday, October 13th from 11:15AM-12:00PM
Purim Character Brunch – Sunday, March 8th from 9:30AM-11:00AM
- Chaverim (K – 2nd Grade). Chaverim is the Hebrew word for “friends” and the foundation for fantastic experiences. All programs aim to foster friendship and positive social interaction for kids and their caretakers. Programs include games, crafts, mitzvah projects and much more.
Sunday, November 17th from 11:15 AM-12:00 PM
- Ruach (3rd – 5th Grade). Ruach means “spirit” and kids at this age have a lot of it! Past events have included Bingo, Go-Karting, Jewish Trivia games and much more.
Sunday, January 12th from 11:15 AM- 12:00 PM
- Kadima (6th – 8th grade). Kadima means “forward” and this group is given more opportunities to grow as Jewish young adults. This group participates in synagogue and regional Kadima events. Activities often include sporting events, socializing, mitzvah projects and topics of interest to Jewish teens.
Tuesday, April 28th during Religious School from 4:00-6:00 PM
- ATID (8th grade). After Bar and Bat Mitzvah, our teens are given a chance to direct their Jewish path in ATID. Meaning “future,” ATID meets twice a month on Wednesdays and select Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm at the Temple offering teens an outlet for community service, Jewish thought, socializing and of course dinner. It consists of programs to build Jewish community, Jewish identity, and help those in need. ATID is also connected with off-site regional Kadima and USY events.
Dates: 9/25, 10/16, 10/29 (Tuesday), 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/15 (Hanukkah Program- Sunday), 1/8, 1/28 (Tuesday), 2/5, 2/26, 3/9 (Purim Program- Monday), 3/25, 4/1, 4/21 (Tuesday), 5/6, 5/13
Teen AIPAC Trip: 3/1-3/3
- F2F (9th – 12th grade). Face 2 Face meets every Wednesday at the Temple offering teens an outlet for meaningful Jewish conversations, causal socializing, community service, of course, dinner. A more advanced program than ATID, teens will learn with the rabbis and from each other. Occasional Sunday social activities and weekends with teens from local USY chapters enhance the annual calendar.
Dates: 9/18, 9/25, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/15 (Hanukkah Program- Sunday), 1/8, 1/15, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/26, 3/9 (Purim Program- Monday), 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13
Teen AIPAC Trip: 3/1-3/3
For more information and/or to sign-up for youth programs contact, Rabbi Ruberg at ruberg@templeemanu-el.com