THE HIGH SCHOOL OF TEMPLE B'NAI ABRAHAM

T-973.994.2290, ext 247   F-973.994.7999

 

The TBA High School continues the Jewish education of our young people beyond Bar and Bat Mitzvah. In a less structured, more informal setting, we address the needs of our youth and discuss current and contemporary topics that affect and relate to teenagers. We offer a program that encourages students to explore traditional Jewish subjects and their intersection with present-day issues, as well as to participate in creative and innovative social service projects.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS 2010-2011

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM: 8TH, 9TH & 10 GRADES

8th Grade Class meets Wednesday nights 7:00 PM–8:30 PM

Modern Views for Teenage Jews. How does Judaism fit into my life? What does Judaism have to offer? Using a multi-media approach, this course will focus upon issues of great importance to teens, examining key moral and ethical decisions we make daily. Major issues will include: Identity, Body image, Friendship & cliques and Internet and gossip.

8th Grade Fundraiser: Each year the eighth grade Confirmation class organizes and plans an end-of-year fundraiser. The students decide on the organization that will receive the money, the event that will take place, and the letters/fliers that will be sent out to the community. Some examples of Fundraisers include: Talent Show to raise money for Friends of Isabella, Fashion Show to raise money to sponsor an HIV positive child in Africa and Mock Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding to sponsor a wedding in Israel through Simchat Tzion.

NYC Jewish Walking Tour: Join Rabbi Kulwin and High School Director Claudia Minde on a walking tour to get a taste of Jewish Heritage on the Lower East Side! Begin at Economy Candy (1937 old-fashioned candy), enjoy pickle tasting, sample Kossar’s bialys, visit the birthplace of B’nai Brith, visit Norfolk Street Synagogue, browse the Tenement Museum Gift Shop, and much more!

9th Grade Class meets Wednesday nights 7:00 PM–8:30 PM

The world around us is often a complex and strange place. Both locally and globally, we see things we think should be different, things we would like to have a role in making better, things we think are unjust but we are not sure if as Jews there is a special way we are to view them. How should we as Jews react to some of the following issues: Poverty, Violence, Abortion and Sexuality.

Midnight Run (For Grades 9-12): During the scheduled evening students and group facilitators engage in sensitivity programming and will package meals, clothes, supplies, and various items that have been donated for this purpose. Volunteers, group leaders, and teens will pack up the items and drive into Newark to the Apostle House. Students will distribute the items and have opportunities to interact with homeless individuals and families whom the Apostle House assists. After all food and clothing is distributed, students and parent volunteers will drive over to the old Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark where we will have a program related to what we will have just seen first hand: poverty, homelessness and teen pregnancy.

10th Grade Class meets Thursday nights 7:30–9:00 PM

Being a teen in the 21st century is examined through a Jewish perspective. Students also study and discuss controversial and often multi-faceted current issues going on in society such as: Racism, Anti-Semitism on college campus and Israel.

We celebrate the completion of our Confirmation program with a special ceremony during Shavuot services. The Confirmation ceremony will occur on June 8, 2011.

GRADUATION PROGRAM 2010-2011

11th grade meets every other Thursday night 7:00–9:00 PM
12th grade meets every other Thursday night 7:00–9:00 PM
Dinner is provided for the students 7:00 PM–7:30 PM

Dinner and Discussion. Students who complete the Confirmation Program continue on to Temple B’nai Abraham’s High School Graduation Program. Students have the opportunity to meet every other week to discuss transitions from high school to college, controversial issues occurring on college campuses and current events.

Hillel Friday Night Shabbat Services & Dinner (For Grades 11-12. What is Hillel? What types of events does Hillel organize and participate in? Experience a night in the life of a Jewish college student!!! Experience a Shabbat lead by Hillel students and then hear from Hillel leaders about their personal experiences over dinner at Rutgers, New Brunswick. This event will take place in the spring.

Amsterdam February Trip (For Grades 11-12). Temple B’nai Abraham’s High School Graduation students along with Rabbi Clifford Kulwin and High School Director Claudia Minde plan to visit Amsterdam and The Hague during February break to learn about Jewish history and current Jewish life in The Netherlands. In addition to visiting key sites of interest like the Anne Frank House, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Jewish Museum, the group will be hosted for a Shabbat by members of the Liberaal Joodse Gemeente congregation in The Hague.

For a complete TBA HS program description, please visit the TBA website at www.tbanj.org or contact HS Director Claudia Minde at cminde@tbanj.org .

Claudia Minde, High School Director
cminde@tbanj.org

Awards and Scholarships

Awards and Scholarships are offered each year for high school and college students who wish to study and tour in Israel or participate in "The March of the Living." Other awards are offered for writing essays, community involvement, and social action activities.

These awards and scholarships are provided by donations from generous members of our congregation and the various Temple constituent organizations. Contact TBA High School Director Claudia Minde.

TEEN TIKKUN OLAM GROUP (For Grades 9-12)

This group was created in response to the commitment and interest demonstrated by students on past social action projects. The Teen Tikkun Olam Group is run by students in the TBA High School program. This group meets twice a month on Sundays from 10:30AM-12:00PM to design, implement, and coordinate community action events such as:

  • Doggie Day Parade at Daughters of Israel

  • Take Steps Walk for Crohn's & Colitis,

  • BRIDGES Run Participating in MLK Day of Community Service

Claudia Minde, TBA High School Director

G.I.R.L.S. GROUP

Meets once a month after Hebrew School and is open to girls in Grades 5th & 6th 
6:00 PM-7:15 PM (Pizza dinner served)

G.I.R.L.S.
HANG OUT TIME    GUIDANCE    INDEPENDENCE   RELATIONSHIPS   LEADERSHIP   SELF-ESTEEM

Come join Cantor Jessica Epstein and High School Director Claudia Minde, MSW for hands-on activities, discussions and fun! 

 
**Calendar to follow (follows a Rosh Chodesh Calendar)
 
There is a $36 Registration Fee. For more information please contact
 Claudia Minde at 973.994.2290, ext. 247, or e-mail cminde@tbanj.org.

B'nai B'rith Girls and Boys (BBYO)

BBYO: Livingston BBYO teens meet every other Tuesday night from 7:00 to 8:45PM at Temple B’nai Abraham.

  • AZA: AZA's unique programming includes social programming with B'nai B'rith Girls and other AZA chapters, community service projects, athletic tournaments and Judiac enrichment programs. The diversity of programming, coupled with the sense of camaraderie and leadership training, provided by AZA simply cannot be paralleled by any other youth organization
     

  • BBG: BBG offers young women the opportunity to enjoy social, athletic, community service and Judaic programming. BBG is a place where all Jewish teenage girls can have fun, develop relationships, embrace tradition and community, and find something inside themselves that only the B'nai B'rith Girls can bring out.