Youth Groups
Our young congregants at Sha'are Shalom make up a large and active part of our community. We strive to offer opportunities for our youth to get together outside their regular religious school program to socialize and have fun with their friends.
This past year the Sha'are Shalom Board of Directors recognized the need for our youth to have a space dedicated just for them outside the classroom environment and voted to allocate space in our synagogue as a youth lounge.
Our two youth groups, under the direction of the Youth Director, have already begun planning fund raising and mitzvah projects to convert the lounge into a kid-friendly space. They will also take a hands-on approach to repainting, decorating and maintaining their lounge.
Our congregation is proud to sponsor an active youth group program for students in grades three through high school, thanks to the assistance of a grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington's Initiatives in Congregational Education program.
Gesher (bridge)
Gesher is Sha'are Shalom's youth group for students in grades three through five. The group meets monthly from September through June for social activities and to participate in mitzvah projects.
Kadima (forward)
Kadima is the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism's (USCJ) youth group program for students in grades six through eight. Sha'are Shalom's Kadima chapter is affiliated with USCJ Seaboard Region, which encompasses the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and northeastern North Carolina. The group meets monthly for social activities and to participate in mitzvah projects. Our Kadima chapter takes part in all Seaboard regional activities which include a Fall and Spring Kallah (retreat) and a variety of other social events for the students.
Beginning in Fall 2007
USY
USY (United Synagogue Youth) is the USCJ youth group program for high school students. In the autumn of 2007, Congregation Sha'are Shalom will create for our high school students a USY chapter affiliated with the USCJ Seaboard Region. USY provides the opportunity for social outings, educational programs, leadership training, conventions and community service programs.
For more information on Congregation Sha'are Shalom's youth group programs, please contact Sheryl Blackington, Youth Group Advisor, at shashayouthgroup@aol.com
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