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GRADES 7-12 CHAI SCHOOL

“Chai” means “life” and that is what we are all about here at Scarsdale Synagogue! Our B’nai Mitzvah and teen universe is jam packed with fun and excitement, volunteering, learning, exploring, friendships, travel...and so much more. Jewish life is vibrant and happening at Chai School!  L’CHAIM! TO LIFE!

GRADE 7

VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF GRADE 7 @ CHAI SCHOOL

Students in Grades 7 meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:45- 8:15 p.m. (pizza dinner 6:15-6:45 p.m.). Once a month all students in Grades 7-12 gather for the last 30 minutes for leadership development and Israel programming led by our faculty, our Shinshin, Eden Cohen, and our Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Ilyse Glickman.

 

Grade 7 spends the first half of the year exploring the Shoah (Holocaust) and Human Rights, and the second half of the year delving into the development and current cultural landscape of Israel. A special intermediate unit called “MiShoah Lit'kumah”, with master educator and choregorapher Shmulik Gov-Ari, acts as a bridge between the Holocaust and Israel semesters. Each week, our 7th graders also engage in “Tefillah Time” where students can become ever more confident and competent prayer learners and leaders. 

Grade 7 students also participate in:

  • Grade Shabbatot (together with Grade 6 students), helping Rabbi Brown and Cantor Becker lead Shabbat services on Friday, November 22, 2019 and March 27, 2020.

  • 7th Grade families attend a field trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage on October 27, 2019.

  • A 7th Grade Family Program on November 16, 2019.

  • Volunteering opportunities such as running activities at our annual Chanukah Party and Purim Carnival; working on Mitzvah Day and delivering Chanukah packages to Jewish senior citizens in the Bronx.

  • Solelim Youth Group​ - for kids in Grades 7-12!  Give a holler to Chaya Itzkowitz, our Youth Group Director, anytime at youthgroups@sstte.org.

GRADE 8

VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF GRADE 8 @ CHAI SCHOOL
We are pleased to offer Mitzvah Corps, a program that empowers teens to respond to challenges in our society. The year-long course is divided into seven units, each focused on a different cause. Each unit includes learning, action (field trips!), and reflection sessions, leaving our students poised to better understand and address the causes explored. 

Mitzvah Corps meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:45- 8:15 p.m. (pizza dinner 6:15-6:45 p.m.). Once a month all students in Grades 7-12 gather for the last 30 minutes for leadership development and Israel  programming led by our faculty, our Shinshinim, Eden Cohen, and our Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Ilyse Glickman.

Students in Grade 8 may also participate in:

  • Our Madrichim Program - student teachers work in our Religious School (Pre-K - Grade 6) either in the classroom or as specialists

  • Rosh Hodesh and Shevet - a monthly gathering of teens from neighboring congregations to explore Judaism and growing up in a safe and nurturing environment

  • Solelim Youth Group​ - for kids in Grades 7-12!  Give a holler to Chaya Itzkowitz, our Youth Group Director, anytime at youthgroups@sstte.org.

GRADE 9

VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF GRADE 9 @ CHAI SCHOOL
We are pleased to offer Mitzvah Corps, a program that empowers teens to respond to challenges in our society. The year-long course is divided into seven units, each focused on a different cause. Each unit includes learning, action (field trips!), and reflection sessions, leaving our students poised to better understand and address the causes explored. 

Mitzvah Corps meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:45- 8:15 p.m. (pizza dinner 6:15-6:45 p.m.). Once a month all students in Grades 7-12 gather for the last 30 minutes for leadership development and Israel programming led by our faculty, our Shinshin, Eden Cohen, and our Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Ilyse Glickman.

Students in Grade 9 may also participate in:

  • Our Madrichim Program - student teachers work in our Religious School (Pre-K - Grade 6) either in the classroom or as specialists

  • Rosh Hodesh and Shevet -  a monthly gathering of teens from neighboring congregations to explore Judaism and growing up in a safe and nurturing environment

  • Teen Social Justice Trip March 12-15 2020 - Journey to the American South with fellow teens

  • Solelim Youth Group​ - for kids in Grades 7-12!  Give a holler to Chaya Itzkowitz, our Youth Group Director, anytime at youthgroups@sstte.org.

GRADE 10 

VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF GRADE 10 @ CHAI SCHOOL

Our Confirmation program is taught primarily by Rabbi Brown and addresses the question, "What does it mean to live a progressive Jewish life in the 21st century?" This class offers tools for personal choices that make Judaism meaningful and relevant in a teenager's daily life. Themes explored include God, Jewish Ethics, Anti-Semitism, and Israel.

Confirmation meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:45- 7:45 p.m. (pizza dinner 6:15-6:45 p.m.). Once a month all students in Grades 7-12 (including Confirmation) gather from 7:45-8:15 p.m. for leadership development and Israel programming led by our faculty, our Shinshin, Eden Cohen, and our Director of Congregational Learning, Rabbi Ilyse Glickman.

Students in Grade 10 may also participate in:

  • L’Taken Social Justice Trip February 21-24 2020 - A hallmark of our Confirmation program, our students will join hundreds of other Reform Jewish teens from around the country as we gather in Washington D.C. for a four-day Jewish public policy conference

  • Our Madrichim Program - student teachers work in our Religious School (Pre-K - Grade 6) either in the classroom or as specialists

  • Teen Social Justice Trip March 12-15 2020 - Journey to the American South with fellow teens

  • Solelim Youth Group​ - for kids in Grades 7-12!  Give a holler to Chaya Itzkowitz, our Youth Group Director, anytime at youthgroups@sstte.org.

GRADES 11 & 12

VIEW A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF GRADE 11 AND 12 @ CHAI SCHOOL

Our Juniors and Seniors come together for Chai Skills (a play on “life skills”) once a month on Sundays to explore the transition to adulthood and college life.
Students in Grade 11 and 12 may also participate in:

  • Our Madrichim Program - student teachers work in our Religious School (Pre-K - Grade 6) either in the classroom or as specialists

  • Teen Social Justice Trip March 12-15 2020 - Journey to the American South with fellow teens

  • Solelim Youth Group - for kids in Grades 7-12!  Give a holler to Chaya Itzkowitz, our Youth Group Director, anytime at youthgroups@sstte.org.

OUR SHINSHINIM

Our Shinshinim will provide informal programming to build Jewish identity and educate children, teens and adults about our Jewish homeland.   The shinshinim in Westchester county work with participating synagogues, Jewish day schools, youth movements and supplementary schools to teach about Israel and Israeli culture and Jewish celebrations. Additionally, they work with the program coordinator, our Westchester Shaliach, to create community-wide programs about Israel.

Shinshinim have very busy days in our community as they become a living bridge between the community and Israel.   They help with synagogue youth groups, teen groups, and will impact virtually every part of the synagogue congregational life.​  

Our shinshin for 2019-20 is Eden Cohen who will work with our students (Pre-K through Grade 12) on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
LEARN MORE

 


 

OUR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL GUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • Each student is a sacred soul. As such, we strive to be a welcoming, open, accepting, and nurturing environment for all.

  • Our Jewish traditions and teachings continue to bring meaning to our lives and inform our actions and behaviors each and every day.

  • Creativity is valued both inside and outside of the classroom

 


 

Please NOTE:

Synagogue membership is required for enrollment in our Religious School.

Exception:  Our Pre-K program is open to non-members as well.  However, if the non-member Pre-K child has an older sibling that is attending Religious School, the family will need to be a member of the synagogue to be able to join our Religious School.  

Learn more about our ground-breaking pledge commitment model and how you can become a membe​r.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784