We are Shomrei Torah’s Reform Temple Youth Group (SHORTY), part of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), the Reform Jewish youth movement.
NFTY strives to provide meaningful and engaging youth experiences for teens and fosters leadership at the national, regional and congregational level.
SHORTY is open to all 9th-12th graders to enrich their connection to Judaism, socialize with fellow Jewish teens, attend local and regional events, and enhance their leadership skills.
Contact Malcolm McElheney to get involved! [email protected]
The Chaverim Program serves teens entering 8th grade through 12th from all five Sonoma County synagogues and the Jewish community at large. Our program provides a unique venue that inspires involvement in Jewish life. Students meet by grade level for weeknight dinner discussions, and are also encouraged to participate in other Jewish teen activities here and in the Bay area. Meetings provide the opportunity to experience social interaction and engaging discussions dealing with relevant emerging young adult issues as well as ethical topics- all through a Jewish lens.
Whether you can make all the sessions or just a few, membership in this program is sets the stage to make a place for Judaism in your current life and in the future.
As one parent of a student recently said “We appreciate our kid’s sports and extracurricular activities. But really, most of them will only spend a few years in their young lives being in soccer or baseball or dancing or whatever it is that occupies their thoughts at the moment. They will spend their lives being Jewish, so let’s help them make Jewish engagement in life a habit.”
Newcomers are always welcome regardless of prior Jewish knowledge or experience.
Visit jccsoco.org for registration, dates, etc. If your teens have not been involved, call Aaron or Rick at the JCC at 707-528-4222 for more information.
Click HERE to read the essay written by Max Rosenthal,
Congregation Shomrei Torah teen,
for the Sonoma County Student Holocaust Essay Contest, which he won.
Click Here for Shomrei Torah College Students