Teen Programs

Our teen programs are developed to appeal to a diverse group of teens at the synagogue providing four main avenues for teens to get involved, lead, learn, build community and make a difference.

 

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Scroll down or click on one of these links to learn more about:

Limud ~ Learning

Manhigut ~ Leadership

Ḥavurah ~ Social Engagement

Tikkun Olam/Tzedek Ḥevrati ~ Repairing the World/Social Justice

We are guided by the insights of Generation Now: Understanding and Engaging Jewish Teens Today, a broad study of Generation Z and what is important and motivating to them. We are also guided by our own teens, and what inspires, excites, and enriches them.

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For more information, please contact hebrewschool@kanestreet.org

 Limud (Learning)

Bogrim Class meets every Monday 6:00-8:00pm.
Led by Brina Novogrebelsky and Reb Beni Summers.

BOGRIM

Bogrim (meaning "mature") helps students hone and articulate their Jewish sense of self. Teens are challenged to think about deep Jewish ideas like our place in history, responsibility to one another, being powerful while being victims of anti-semitism, and much more. Teens tackle these concepts through fun, accessible entry points.

We explore Judaism through film & tv, art, meditation and movement, Tanakh study, poetry and music. These are effective ways to learn about complex issues in a way teens find enjoyable after a long day at school.

Each Monday we begin with dinner and socializing which is incredibly important for building community and friendships; because while many of the teens know each other from Hebrew School and synagogue, our students attend several different public and private schools.

Yearly tuition 2025-2026: $1,200

Register for Bogrim here

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There are many other programs in which our students participate outside of Kane Street, including:

The Shalom Hartman Institute’s Teen Fellowship is an  opportunity for Jewish high schoolers in grades 10-12 to cultivate their Jewish identities and worldviews. Participants study with preeminent Hartman Institute scholars, contemplate fundamental Jewish questions, and join a community of insightful and motivated peers and mentors from across North America. The program is largely online and students meet up for weekends twice a year.

The JTS Ivry Prozdor Teen Learning Program brings together a diverse group of teens  from the metro area to access classical Jewish texts, improve their Hebrew, and find contemporary meaning in the concepts and values of Jewish tradition. Students in grades 8-12 are guided by dedicated faculty, students are encouraged to ask the questions that matter to them and develop answers that speak authentically to them as young Jews in the 21st century.

HaZamir Brooklyn is one of 36 chapters of Jewish teen choirs across the United States where musically talented teens learn choral music at the highest level and perform. The Brooklyn chapter rehearses weekly at Congregation Beth Elohim. Once a year the chapters gather and perform at a major New York City venue.

Keshet

Keshet offers a variety of initiatives to support, empower, and celebrate queer youth ages 13-18 and 18-24. You have a place in the Keshet community!

Moving Traditions

Moving Traditions emboldens Jewish youth to thrive through the pursuit of personal wellbeing (shleimut), caring relationships (hesed), and a Jewish and feminist vision of equity and justice (tzedek). Rosh Hodesh for teen girls, Shevet for teen boys and Tzelem for non-binary teens are their flagship programs.
 

Manhigut (Leadership)

Madrikhim means "counselor" or "someone who shows the way." In the Madrikhim program teens have a chance to grow their skills and knowledge and be guides to younger children, showing them the way into Judaism.

More specifically, the Madrikhim gives students in Grades 7-12 the opportunity to lead and assist in the Hebrew School and Shabbat youth services. Cantor Lazar supervises this robust program with help from Priscilla Murphy.

Many Madrikhim also meet one-on-one with students who need individual Hebrew help. They provide extra help during craft activities and are excellent role models for younger children.

Some students find seeing Hebrew School from the inside stirs them to appreciate their own learning in past years more highly. Leading as Madrikhim may spark renewed pride in Jewish identity and affirmation of commitment to ongoing Jewish learning.

Click here to apply for the Madrichim Program

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Several post-B'nei Mitzvah students lead in the main sanctuary service from time to time during Grades 8-12. Some students lead the Torah and Musaf service; others chant Torah and Haftarah. Some students reprise the Haftarah portion they chanted at B'nei Mitzvah. Cantor Lazar guides teens in building their prayer and leyning skills.

Ḥavurah (Social Engagement)

Our BBYO youth group chapter meets every Tuesday evening during the school year and also has special events some weekends and conventions a few times a year. Our BBYO chapter Yalla holds most events together with the chapter from Park Slope Jewish Center, Melech, because many of them know each other from school and other activities. They meet at Kane Street Synagogue, Park Slope Jewish Center, and around the neighborhood.

BBYO is primarily social, and that is very important for teens. Jewish content and leadership opportunities are also a part of the program. 

BBYO is an international youth movement founded in 1941. Our chapter, Yalla, was founded by teens in the congregation in 2018. BBYO is open to students entering 8th grade through the completion of 12th grade. BBYO also offers summer experiences.

For more information:

• About Kane Street's BBYO chapter: "Yalla BBYO"
• BBYO's Big Apple Region (of which we are a part)
• BBYO International
• Becoming a member of BBYO
• Summer Programs

Tikkun Olam / Tzedek Ḥevrati (Repairing the World / Social Justice)

In the fall of 2023 we launched JYCM - a new chapter/kvutzah of the growing Jewish Youth Climate Movement under the aegis of Adamah. Our new chapter is jointly organized with the teens of Park Slope Jewish Center and The Senesh School. 

JYCM is teen-led and provides excellent opportunities to build leadership skills and offers a critical venue to help remake our world. We collaborate with Repair The World Brooklyn to direct our teens toward tikkun olam.
 

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Our synagogue's Tzedek Committee welcomes teens to participate in our ongoing work in these four areas: immigration, environmental justice, racial justice and homelessness.