7th Grade Tzedek Program

Just as the journey of B’nei Mitzvah bridges a young person into Jewish adulthood, our 7th grade program ushers students from our TK-6 Religious School program into our Jewish Teen Journey (JTJ) program. Through a mix of formal & informal learning and social experiences, 7th graders explore their Jewish identity and voice within the adult world. By focusing on a variety of local social issues, students will foster their sense of tikkun olam - the Jewish obligation to better the world around them - and share the Jewish vocabulary behind our people's commitment to tzedek (justice) and g'milut chasadim (acts of loving kindness). Students will engage in social action, build relationships with one another & the Jewish people, and deepen their own Jewish identities. During each unit, students will participate in hands-on experiences and consider potential ways to be advocates and change makers. Students may earn volunteer hours for their school or hours towards their g'milut chasadim requirement for their B'nei Mitzvah. The year will conclude with students' active participation at Mitzvah Day. 

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JTJ Classes: Ethics, Leadership, and Jews Debating in America

Students in our JTJ Program can continue their Jewish education by participating in Wednesday night dinners and classes that are both fun and engaging! Our 8-9th grade students can choose between "What Would a Mensch Do? Jewish Ethics IRL" and "'I’ll Be There For You': Lessons in Jewish Leadership". Meanwhile, our 10-12th grade students can participate in "Jews and Civic Debate", a class that dives deep into the ways that Jews have always taken part in important American conversations since before the founding of the country. 

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Become a Madrich or CIT! 

Temple Judea teens may choose to serve as role models and teen leaders as Religious School Madrichim, Camp Sababa CITs (Counselors-in-Training), or Beit Midrash Madrichim. While leading small group activities and experiences, and assisting staff, these volunteers serve as role models of Jewish living and help younger kids develop a deep understanding and appreciation of their Jewish identity. With opportunities for personal growth and leadership, teens will enjoy a fun, sometimes challenging, but wholeheartedly rewarding experience! Email  to learn more.

• RS Madrichim: During the school year, teens support our teachers & staff by assisting with one of our religious school programs, family programs, photography & videography, or dreaming up a new way to share talents with our community. Teens with Hebrew knowledge and abilities may also volunteer in our Hebrew program and offer extra support to those kids who need it the most. Participation is free, and teens can earn community service hours, plus receive ongoing training. Returning 11th and 12th grade Madrichim are eligible to be paid for their work in place of receiving community service hours. Additionally, paid Madrichim who work on Tuesdays will receive an additional $2/hr!
• Camp Sababa CITs: When Camp Sababa is in session, teens commit to supporting our teachers and staff in building and maintaining a supportive, warm, safe, and nurturing camp environment. There is no charge to become a Jr. Camp Sababa CIT volunteer, and teens can earn community service hours for their work. Returning teens (ages 16+) may apply for a paid Counselor position.
• Beit Midrash Madrichim: An elite group of Madrichim who help support our Beit Midrash class on Wednesdays between 4-6 PM (for 1 hour or more). This honor is reserved for older teens with technical skill in Hebrew and chanting, and with capability to act as mentors and teachers. Qualified students should have consistently impressed us with their diligence, excellence, enthusiasm and intellect. Beit Midrash madrichim will receive on the job training and support from our Cantorial team as they deepen their knowledge of Torah and Haftarah trope, build leadership skills, and earn community service hours.

Social Justice Trips

This year we are offering two trip opportunities! Students in grades 8 & 9 are invited to participate in a Civil Rights Trip to the South. Through Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery, teens will walk in the footsteps of activists who played a pivotal role in the struggle for Civil Rights. Students in grades 10-12 have the opportunity to travel to Washington DC on a trip that connects hundreds of Jewish teens and teaches them how to use their unique voices and stories to advocate for change in the halls of Congress. Part-learning, part-bonding, part-sightseeing, this trip culminates by lobbying our elected representatives on Capitol Hill. These trips carry an additional cost, but scholarships may be available upon request.

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CITS (Cantors in Training) & HaZamir International Jewish Teen Choir

• Cantors in Training Program: Kids & teens who sing -- share your musical talent and vocal skills with the Temple Judea & larger Jewish community! The CITs help lead Friday night Shabbat services (generally the 1st Friday of the month). Coaching on Jewish repertoire through the mentorship of Rabbi Cantor Alison Wissot and the cantorial team will enhance your performance abilities.
• HaZamir Int'l Jewish Teen Choir: Temple Judea is also a proud supporter of HaZamir: the International Jewish teen choir, which unites Jewishly identified and musically talented teens from a broad range of cultural backgrounds and levels of religious observance. HaZamir high schoolers in the Los Angeles chapter will have the opportunity to learn and sing Jewish choral music at the highest musical standard and perform with other members from 35 chapters across the United States and Israel on the world’s greatest stages. In weekly rehearsals, regional gatherings, and the HaZamir International Festival, HaZamir teens study Jewish text and history, grow as leaders, cultivate a deep connection to Israel, and create enduring friendships that transcend geographic, political, social, and denominational differences. 

HaZamir International Jewish Teen Choir  

JSTY Youth Group

Our teen leadership, through the JSTY Board, plays a pivotal role in creating teen programming that is for teens, and by teens. In consultation with their advisor, these leaders will be role models, share event information, plan events, and advocate for their peers. Teens can purchase a JSTY membership, which will discount events throughout the year.

 Confirmation

Our Confirmation program supports our post-B'nei Mitzvah teens as they begin making Jewish choices for themselves. Confirmands will meet periodically to learn in community during the Spring semester, culminating with a celebration of these students and their Jewish journeys at a peer-led Shabbat service in late Spring / early Summer. Students can become eligible to become Confirmands between 10th and 12th grade, as long as they have actively participated in at least of three of of these programs from 8th grade onward:

JTJ CLASSESSOCIAL JUSTICE TRIPSRELIGIOUS SCHOOL MADRICHIM (Teen Leaders) CAMP SABABA CITsHAZAMIR INTERNATIONAL JEWISH TEEN CHOIR
* Attendance at a Jewish Day School also counts towards becoming a Confirmand.