Youth At Temple Aliyah, engages the youth and teens of Temple Aliyah (6th – 12th grade) in order to enrich their Jewish identities and their connection to our congregation. Through leadership opportunities, participation in United Synagogue Youth (USY), social action initiatives, and education, we cultivate experiences that foster a sense of belonging in the greater Jewish community.
OUR AMAZING STAFF have planned an exciting year for everyone. Read on to learn about each of our programs!
USY Gesher is our 6th-8th grade social community. At its center is a small group of committed 6th-8th graders, the Temple Aliyah Youth Leaders (TAYLs), who work together with their advisor to build community through peer engagement and planning events for the entire USY Gesher community. Keep an eye out for the TAYLs and USY Gesher events!
Sr. Needham USY is our high school social community. Leading this community is our Sr. Needham USY Board. The Board work with their advisor to engage with and build a thriving teen community. They do this through one-on-one conversations with their peers and by hosting Sr. Needham USY events. Keep an eye out for the Board and Sr. Needham USY events!
To become a member of Sr. Needham USY, contact Andie Watson
We will dive into the topic of what it means to have a homeland, what it means to have a connection to the land of Israel, and what the State of Israel means not only to the Jewish People but to each of us individually. This program will occur once per month at a time agreed upon by participants and will include lunch or dinner.
Register for PITA here.
In our TACOS program, students in grades 8-12 meet with their advisor at a service site two Sundays a month to perform volunteer work. TACOS students also help out with synagogue-wide events throughout the year, such as Hanukkah Happening and the Purim Carnival. In the past, the TACOS students have visited with the elderly residents of Coleman House and prepared dinners for both the Temple Aliyah Hesed Committee and Family Promise. This year, the TACOS students are visiting the residents of Wingate at Needham. Temple Aliyah membership is not required to participate.
*TACOS2 is our community service program for students in grade 7. In addition to working with TACOS and Wingate at Needham, TACOS2 students volunteer at a variety of synagogue programs throughout the year. Temple Aliyah membership is not required to participate in TACOS2.
Register for TACOS2 here.
Work as a Mercaz Aliyah teacher’s aide or one-on-one with students as a peer tutor and participate in monthly lunch leadership development meetings. Mercaz Aliyah meets Sunday mornings, 9:30-11:45 and Monday afternoons from 3:45-5:45. Mercaz Aliyah begins Sunday September 11th.
Register for Madrichim here.