Building Community Together
Building a Youth Community
Engaging our Kids from Tots to Teens
Fun social programs enhance our children's Jewish lives. Our schools and youth groups work together to help our kids develop the skills necessary to build confidence and continue with life-long Jewish involvement. We infuse creativity, activitity and social opportunities into every program. Contact Leah Miller to participate in any of these opportunities.
Teen Scene: There are several ways for our teens to be involved with life at CBT. There are both structured and informal programs, such as coming to Shabbat or holiday services, Good Deeds Day, or attending an adult education program to name a few. New this year are a Hebrew Team on Wednesdays providing our teens with the opportunity to assist with Hebrew teaching; and Teen Buddies who assist on Sunday morning with our Inclusion Program by forming a one-on-one relationship with a student with differing abilities.
JDS Families: CBT strives to make sure our families whose children attend Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, feel connected to both their school and their synagogue. We encourage JDS students to get involved with our youth group events and family learning opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about the Jewish Day School, or how we help families enjoy both JDS and CBT, please contact Laura Gordon or Jessica Eyal our CBT/JDS liaisons.
Youth Groups: Contact Leah Miller to get involved.
Bonim (Builders) Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: We encourage participation in Youth Groups from an early age so that children can have fun with their friends and and connections to their Jewish community. Programs are held approximately once a month, usually on Sundays, and help lay a strong foundation for future CBT Youth Group involvement.
Baderech (On the Way) 3rd – 5th Grade: This youth group aims to provide fun, age appropriate activities for our upper elementary school students so they can continue developing relationships with their friends and their synagogue community.
Kadima (Forward) 6th – 8th Grade: This youth group is part of a synagogue network designed to help middle school students develop a strong sense of Jewish identity through friendships within the synagogue and throughout the community. They will meet regularly for fun, social events, and will be able to participate in regional events, such as Kadima Kallah in the winter, basketball tournament in the spring, and a trip to Kings Dominion in April.
CBTeens 9th – 12th Grade: CBT’s high school youth group inspires lasting friendships, leadership development, and thoughtful exploration of Jewish identity that will hopefully carry over past high school. We also encourage our teens to participate in regional USY (United Synagogue Youth) and BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) activities.
“Boot Camp” for Juniors and Seniors: As important as your meeting with your child’s college guidance counselor! Children often go off to college unprepared for what they will encounter. Some campuses are hotbeds of anti-Zionism and anti-Israeli propaganda and activity. Be sure your children are prepared. Rabbi Weinblatt will meet with our 11th and 12th Graders in the upcoming year on Sunday evenings to help them learn how to deal with the challenges that await them on campus.
College Connections: We stay connected with our college students by sending holiday and study packages as well as communications from Rabbi Weinblatt to keep them in touch with our community throughout the year. Please send an updated address for your college student to Leah so we can send them a special gift from all of us at CBT!
Israel Quest (IQ): Israel Quest is a grant program for teens that aims to promote Jewish identity through peer-based Israel experiences.