Programs

Kindergarten-4th Grade BESTY Program

“Mini Minyan” meets virtually on the first Shabbat of the month from 10-10:45 am. Children up to 4th grade and their families will enjoy this short, interactive service followed by fun parasha or holiday themed games and activities.

  • Shabbat morning program that takes place during services
  • Monthly mini-minyan family service on the first Shabbat of the month from 10:45am-11:30am
  • Monthly community building opportunities for parents of BESTY students

6th-8th Grade Kadima

The Kadima Program, for 6th-8th graders, at Beth El Synagogue is a great taste of what the USY program has to offer when you reach High School. It is a great way for your children to stay active in the Jewish Community long after their B’nai Mitzvot.

We have once a month Regional programs (mostly on Sundays). There is also Kadima Kinnus, the Regional Retreat for 6th-8th graders, in the fall.

Eighth grade leaders will be in charge of our new program, Kadima Klubs. These Klubs can cover a variety of topics like Art Lovers, Theater Fans, Book Club, Football Fans, Gamers, Foodies, etc. They will virtually meet monthly and help to connect kids with those who have similar interests. The Klubs will enable Kadima-nicks to connect with others on a deeper level. Each group will have a Freshman Representative from the BERUSY Executive board assigned to oversee meetings and programs.

  • Monthly off-site activities
  • USY Gesher Kinnus convention in the fall

BERUSY 9th-12th Grade (USY)

USY, the youth group of the Conservative movement, stands for United Synagogue Youth. There are 17 regions around the United States and Canada which comprise International USY. Beth El USY is a member of Emtza Region. Emtza (which means middle in Hebrew) serves Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, part of Wisconsin, part of Montana, North and South Dakota, and Winnipeg.

Membership in USY automatically entitles you to participate in programs on all levels: Chapter, Regional, and International. Beth El USY is sponsored by Beth El Synagogue, an affiliate of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. USY begins at the chapter level, which is where we recruit members, train leaders, and service our congregation. The second level of USY involvement is the regional level. Emtza Region has a variety of annual activities that bring together members and leaders from around the Midwest. The third level of USY involvement is International programming. USY offers International Convention, USY Israel Pilgrimage, USY on Wheels, USY High, and much more!

USY was founded in 1948 right here at Beth El. Beth El USY, otherwise known as Beth El Rishon was the very first USY chapter! USY has grown from a handful of chapters to an International organization with nearly 20,000 high school age members. In 1964, KADIMA was formalized as a separate entity for 7th and 8th graders. USY was conceived as a means of meeting the social, educational, religious and recreational needs of our young people. USY seeks to involve our youth in synagogue life and help build the Jewish community of the future. USY is a Zionist organization trying to build a relationship between Israel and our members here in North America. Today, USY is still working towards these same goals.

Every week BERUSY hosts a fun and engaging program where you can see your friends, meet new people and gain new experience and knowledge in a variety of different ways. Each month there will be a program dedicated to each of these topics: Israel, Social Action and learning more about Judaism. We will also have plenty of our regularly amazing social programs as well!

  • Weekly lounge nights
  • Yearly Youth Outreach Weekend, to happen in September 2024
  • Havdalah and additional programs throughout the year (lock-in, mystery bus ride, movie nights)
  • 3 USY Regional conventions a year (Fall Kinnus, Winter Shabbaton, Spring Kallah)
  • Note: 8th grade is invited to BERUSY events in the Spring

Heschel Society

Beth El’s chapter of Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society (AJHHS) is a select group of exemplary high school students who are interested in Philanthropy, Social Justice, Social Action, and Tikkun Olam.
 
AJHHS members commit to meeting at least twice a month. One meeting per month is with Rabbi Goldberg and Director of Youth Engagement Louis Stein, who lead a group discussion around these topics through a Jewish lens. The second meeting each month is a hands-on experience where participants learn about and volunteer at a local non-profit that works to address systemic injustices. There are opportunities to visit and learn all about the different ways to get involved with each non-profit.
  • Monthly class held on Shabbat after services, led by Director of Youth Engagement Louis Stein and Rabbi Matt Goldberg
  • Class focuses on social justice issues
  • Monthly volunteer opportunities with non-profits that address the issues discussed in our regular classes

Teen Moot Court

Moot Court is a teen program where we study Jewish ethics cases, culminating in a trip to New York to participate in the Moot Court Competition. The group meets weekly with Rabbi Goldberg and then the Maimonides Moot Court High School Competition occurs over a weekend in the spring. Beginning with a shabbaton and culminating in a spirited competition, the experience brings an international cohort of students together into a shared conversation rooted in the intensive study of Jewish ethics.
 
We offer students an empowering look at the inner workings of Jewish legal tradition. In the months leading up to the competition, students are provided a detailed case involving a contemporary ethical quandary and a sourcebook of relevant Jewish texts. Following a Shabbat celebrated in community, students debate their rulings in front of a panel of expert judges.
  • Weekly classes led by Rabbi Matt Goldberg
  • Yearly Shabbaton to compete with other teams nationally in New York City

 

If you or your child are interested in being updated on any youth happenings and want to be added to the email list, please contact Louis at lstein@bethelsynagogue.org with your email.