Teen Program

7th Grade: Putting the Mitzvah in Your B'nai Mitzvah

As the students are either just finishing, of have just completed the process of becoming B’nai Mitzvah, we would like them to examine the responsibilities that are opened up by going through this life-cycle event.  Studying the roots of Social Justice within Judaism and our personal responsibility to be seekers of justice will do this.  This will be accomplished, not only by studying the mitzvoth, but also by venturing out into the community to perform the work of Tikkun Olam. This class is taught by Rabbi Randy Fleisher.

The eighth and ninth grades: should be seen as a continuous journey.  This journey will start with the lessons of service and leadership through mitzvot and Tikkun Olam learned in 7th grade, but will be expanded to include the themes of oppression empowerment and change through a look at Jewish history, culture and language.  Both grades will become involved in service leadership, both at CRC and in the larger Jewish Community by helping lead services at “The Cedars at JCA.” 

8th Grade: Hineni:  An exploration of Jewish Identity

8th grade seeks to answer the question “Who am I?” What is my relationship with God and the world? As well as, 'what is expected of me?'"  In addition creating  a serious service project, which the class will choose at a team building retreat early in the year. The students will strive to learn who they are as Jews and how they find their place in the Jewish Community.  The class will include an exploration of CRC’s minhagim, but also will explore the minhagim of other Jewish communities within St Louis. Chabad, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Hebrew Israelite and non-Jewish establishments where our brothers and sisters in Congregations such as MCC  and others within the Holy Ground Community worship).  The class will look at the history of the Jewish people, through our sacred texts (i.e. Torah, Talmud, etc.) and the evolution of various Jewish movements and communities Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Israeli, Ethiopians, Chiloni (secular) Sabras, Yemenites, African American, etc.).  Students will explore the various languages, nusach, and siddurim used by different groups within the Jewish community and will meet with members of the other groups as well.  The students will also be introduced to the core values that bridge Judaism and other religions. This class is taught by Essie Mitchell.

9th Grade: Ani V’atah: We change the world!

The ninth grade class will strive to learn the importance of advocacy and why, as Jews, it is important to take an active role in the political process.  Through a study of texts students will address issues that are currently being debated by policy-makers in both Jefferson City and Washington D.C.  While creating their own community, the students will learn why these issues are particularly important to the Jewish community.  In addition, students will explore historical events where people have been denied access to the political process (i.e. The Shoah), what the consequences were, and why it is important as American Jews to be involved in the political process.  The year will culminate with a trip to Washington D.C., where the students will participate in the "L’Taken" Seminar at the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, where they will spend Shabbat with other teenagers, learn about current issues that are before Congress, visit the Holocaust Museum and the National Monuments, and finally go to Capitol Hill and lobby, on an issue of the students’ choosing, to their Representatives and Senators. This class is taught by Ed Harris.

Confirmation (10th Grade):

Confirmation class should seek to answer the students’ questions and show them how Jewish values help to shape their own lives.  The class will be based on topics the students wish to discuss.  The class will include a trip to New York, where students will learn about the immigrant experience by going to Ellis Island and the Tenement Museum, tour the lower East Side, spend Kabbalat Shabbat at a lively New York Synagogue, and visit the Lubavitch community in Crown Heights.  The year will end with a confirmation service, where the students will have the opportunity to confirm their identities.  This class is taught by Rabbi Susan Talve and Jordan Ottenstein.

The CRC Education Program promotes Jewish connections to family, community, God, Torah, and Israel through exploration of Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam, Freedom, Peace, and the Power of Ritual.