Beth El’s youth groups bring together our young congregants for social action, food, and adventure. You don’t need to be a member of Beth El to come along—Beth El youth groups are open to all Jewish kids.
Beth El has three youth groups: Pre-Kadima, Kadima, and United Synagogue Youth (USY).
PreKadima (Grades K-5)
PreKadima gives students a taste of more grown-up youth group participation, and gets them ready for involvement in Kadima and USY. Some past activities include bowling, rock climbing, roller-skating, undertaking a scavenger hunt in the Duke Gardens, taking part in the Durham Earth Day festival, and visiting the Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill. And, of course, there’s everyone’s favorite — pizza parties! To learn more, check out our Beth El calendar, or contact our Interim Education and Youth Director Amy Ripps.
Kadima (Grades 6-8)
Kadima is the national middle school youth group for Conservative Judaism. Beth El’s Kadima chapter lets middle schoolers bond with their peers through new adventures and social action work. Kadima-niks also help choose, plan, and support their own programs. Past excursions have included laser tag, ice-skating, swimming, mystery bus rides, and the now annual Kadima Iron Chef competition. To learn more, check out our Beth El calendar, or contact our Interim Education and Youth Director, Amy Ripps.
United Synagogue Youth (Grades 9-12)
In USY, Beth El’s high schoolers plan and implement their own events as they become a more active part of Jewish life at Beth El. Some highlights include the Chocolate Seder, game night at the youth advisor’s house, and a digital photo scavenger hunt at Southpoint Mall in Durham.Venturing outside the Triangle, USY has gone on trips to Charlotte and participated in regional and international USY conventions. Beth El has also become more involved in the Seaboard Region. For more information, check out our Beth El calendar, or contact our Interim Education and Youth Director, Amy Ripps.
