BIG EVENTS
The Junior Temple Club usually has 1 or 2 major events per month. In the past,
these events have included trips to amusements parks, days in New York City,
Broadway shows, shul-ins, programs at the temple’s Shabbat Kulanu evenings,
retreats, and participation in NFTY events (see below.) Each year, we host
events associated with the High Holidays in the fall, and the JTC is responsible
for organizing and running the temple’s Purim Carnival. During the 2007-2008
school year we will be continuing many of these traditions, as well as adding
some new events. We are always open to new ideas, so email any of the officers
above if you have any suggestions.
TUESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMS
Roughly every other Tuesday is devoted to JTC programming. The evening starts
with pizza dinner at 6:00 pm, and is followed by a meeting and/or a program.
The officers work with Barry in designing these interactive activities on
relevant issues. Some of the subjects that we focus on are teenage issues,
Jewish identity, ecology, poverty, abortion and self-esteem. We are always
looking for new ideas for all of our events and programs, so please share any
that you have.
SOCIAL ACTION
Social action projects and tikkun olam are an integral part of our
events. The Junior Temple Club oversees the Project Ochel program which sends
monthly packages of food, toiletries, and gifts to hungry families in Suffolk
County. We also participate in trips to the Soup Kitchen at Hebrew Union College
and organization Midnight and Breakfast Runs to help the homeless in New York
City. It is pretty common to find some sort of JTC-sponsored collection drive
taking place at the temple at any time. Again, we love trying to implement new
programs, so let us know if you would like to see anything.
NFTY-NAR
JTC is also a member of
NFTY-NAR, the North American Federation of Temple Youth’s New York Area Region.
NFTY-NAR provides JTC members with the opportunity to participate in events with
members of other youth groups from all over the Greater New York area. Weekend
retreats are held in the fall, winter, and spring, and there are several
day-long events in Manhattan several times a year. Every school year, NFTY
sponsors a national gathering for Reform teens from all over the North America.
In December 2007, NFTY will sponsor a teen leaders track at the URJ Biennial in
San Diego. In February 2009, more than 1200 teens will come together for the
NFTY Convention in Washington, DC over President’s Day holiday weekend. While
NFTY is reserved for students in Grades 9-12, there is at least one regional
event for 8th graders during the year.
INTER-YOUTH GROUP PROGRAMS
The Junior Temple Club also participates in programs with other youth groups.
We are actively trying to plan some events with the teens at congregations in
Great Neck, Syosset, and Port Washington. These activities are great
opportunities to network and meet students from our area.
JTC Purim Carnival
2007
Photos by Barbara Herman
Click on the image to enlarge
