7th Grade
This class meets on Tuesday nights from 6-8pm, getting a dedicated social time to eat dinner together (something they don't get in our younger programs). The curriculum for the class is focused on being an upstander and taking care of the community around us, something that is very valuable to 7th graders. It is a very different experience than our younger classes and also gives them exposure to our teen/high school programs in a different way. They hear from a lot of guest speakers from wonderful organizations about how they can make the world a better place.
8th Grade
This class meets eight times throughout the year (about once a month) on Tuesday nights from 6-8pm. The eighth grade curriculum is framed by the eight tasks listed in How to Raise An Adult: Break Free of the Over Parenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid For Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. They will learn about topics like relationships, money, coping mechanisms, and more.
Madrichim (8th-12th graders)
In our Madrichim program, students have the opportunity to volunteer as assistant teachers and serve as role models for the students in the Jewish Experience Center. Madrichim volunteer on Sunday mornings either on-site (24 sessions at KI from 9-11:30am) or at our OJE program (10 sessions at Tumbleweed Camp from 9am-1pm and 2 sessions at KI from 9:00-11:30am.) Madrichim assignments are subject to availability, and receive a stipend or community service hours for their time. Madrichim will learn how to develop leadership skills and learn how to make a difference in their community. As madrichim are role models for the younger students with whom they work, they are required to be enrolled in at least one other program (8th grade class, KITT, Teen Social Action Trip, or one of the two KI EDU: Powered by AJU Classes). (8th-12th grade)
KI Tzedakah Teens (KITT) (10th-12th)
KI Tzedakah Teens is a Jewish teen philanthropy program. Over the past 15 years, KITT has donated over $500,000 to national and international nonprofits. KI Tzedakah Teens meet monthly to: Form together as a board of a foundation and develop a mission statement; Develop a deeper understanding on how Jewish wisdom can help inform philanthropic decisions; Learn about important local and international issues facing our world; Research and understand how Jewish and non-Jewish organization are working to address these issues; Send Requests for Proposals to applicable nonprofits, review grant proposals, raise funds, and interview organizations; Make difficult but critical funding decisions; Build a community of Jewish teens who are passionate about changing the world. Click here for a video which explains KITT in more detail. (10th-12th grade). This program meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30am-12pm.
Teen Social Action Trip
This year our teens will be heading to Washington D.C. to participate in the Religious Action Center's L'Taken Program on February 9-12, 2024. Students will be exposed to a variety of public policy issues and explore the Jewish values that implore us to advocate for these issues. Students will then write a persuasive speech on an issue of their choice and have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill to lobby their senators and representatives. They will also get to visit other landmarks like the Jefferson Memorial and the Smithsonian National Mall and get to meet other Jewish teens from around the country. You can learn more here.
KI EDU: Powered by AJU Courses
We are thrilled to offer two college-credit courses through American Jewish University. These courses have a strict attendance requirement and payment (and financial assistance requests) are handled directly through AJU. Each class has 3 Sunday sessions (10am-2pm) and 10 Tuesday night sessions (6-8pm). Please note that payment (and financial assistance requests) will be handled directly through AJU).
This year's courses:
The Jewish Immigrant
In this class, students will explore the idea of immigration as a Jewish narrative. Beginning with the more well known instances of moving from one place to another - Abraham and Sarah’s journey and the Exodus from Egypt - students will explore what logistics, emotions, joys and struggles go into transitioning to a new place. Students will learn about the first Jewish communities in the US, explore immigration from Europe to the United States in the 1900s, the waves of Aliyah to Israel, emigration from Ethiopia, Russia and Iran and immigration to countries in Asia. In each instance, students will reflect back on what aspects are similar to the journeys that our biblical ancestors took and which are related directly to the time and context in which they occurred.
Controversial Jewish Texts (11th and 12th Grades)
In this class, students will engage with some of the more complicated texts in our tradition - those which either show sides of our biblical ancestors in a less than positive way, or stories which include content that is seemingly contradictory to our current connection to our tradition. Students will begin by learning about our tradition of storytelling, documentary hypothesis and ensuring that all voices are represented and heard. The ultimate goal is for students to develop the ability to find meaning in all of the parts of our tradition (even and maybe even most importantly, the complicated ones) and for them to continue to sharpen their skills at reading and interpreting Jewish texts.
Teen Youth Group:
Join your friends for events like Trivia Night, sushi making, bowling and more! This is a great opportunity to get together with your KI community every month for a social and relaxing evening.