8th-12th Grade Programs

Introducing KULAM, our brand new Teen Program for 8th-12th graders! KULAM, which means "everyone," engages our teen community in three program components on Sunday mornings. An acronym for Kesher (connection), Limud (learning), Avodah (work), and Madrichim (teaching assistants), KULAM allows teens to build community, gain work and leadership experience, and continue their own learning, all within the hours of 9:00 AM-12:30 PM on Sundays.  Please read on to learn more about each component, check out a sample Sunday schedule, and hear remarks by a former Beth Am teen.

Kesher (Connection)

Teens build community with weekly lunches on Sundays which include fun special programming. Plus, teens have the option to join us for teen trips, youth group events, and more:

• Trips: Each year teens have the incredible opportunity to travel with their peers, engaging in immersive experiences like our Civil Rights tour of the South and the Religious Action Center's L'Taken Seminar in Washington, D.C. 
• BATY (Beth Am Temple Youth) or BAJY (Beth Am Junior Youth): 

  Our youth groups provide a special, stress-free social space for out teens. Events include social, cultural and social action experiences, as well as opportunities to build valuable leadership skills by serving on the youth group board.

Limud (Learning)

As lifelong learners, teens in grades 8-12 participate in their own continued Jewish learning taught by our clergy, educators, lay leaders, and other expert faculty. Topics include environmental justice, Israel, antisemitism, and more.

• Confirmation: In 10th grade, Confirmation offers an important milestone along the Jewish teen journey, culminating in a meaningful, engaging ceremony.  Confirmation students learn with our clergy as they explore what Judaism means to them, and have the option to attend a special L'Taken social justice seminar to Washington, D.C. with their class. 
• Course for College Credit with American Jewish University: 11th & 12th graders have a special opportunity to earn college credits for taking a special course on Sunday mornings taught by Sarah Lauing Cohen. This program is in partnership with American Jewish University (AJU). Students complete weekly readings and two graded assignments and receive 3 general education credits. The course offered for 2025-2026 is entitled Contemporary Halacha: Jewish Ethics and will explore Jewish responses to medical ethics, social responsibility, dietary choices, and more.

Avodah (Work), Madrichim, and MIT (Teaching Assistants)

Teens gain valuable work or volunteer experience as they give back to the Beth Am community. Each choice provides endless opportunities to build leadership and professional skills. 9th-12th graders may choose to be paid or receive service hours for Madrichim/Avodah time.

• Madrichim: 9th-12th graders serve as assistant teachers and role models to our younger students.
• Avodah: As an alternative to the classroom, teens may choose to work on special impactful projects to support Beth Am's campus and programming.
• Madrichim-in-Training: 8th Grade MIT's gain experience and build leadership skills to participate in either Madrichim or Avodah in high school.

SAMPLE SUNDAY SCHEDULE:

• 9:00-10:15 Madrichim or Avodah (Working Time)
• 10:15-11:30 Limud (Learning Time)
• 11:30-12:30 Kesher (Lunch & Teen Connection)

Want to get involved? Contact YouthEd@betham.org.

HEAR ABOUT THE VALUE OF OUR TEEN PROGRAMS
Hear remarks by former Beth Am teen Jonathan Becker: