Teen Experiences
The goals of our program are:
- To provide the students with a welcoming, safe, social environment in which to connect to other Jewish teens, the Chicago Jewish Community, our clergy, and to Temple Sholom.
- To provide students an opportunity to explore their own Jewish beliefs, practices, and traditions.
- To generate enthusiasm for the depth and breadth of Jewish culture, and a deep love for the Jewish people.
- To provide students with the tools to function as articulate, and confident Jews on the college campus and beyond.
Opportunities for Teens
- Crown Family High School
- 8th-12th Grade Madrichim Teacher Assistant Program: 2024-2025 Application
- Orr Shalom Youth Group
- High School Retreat at OSRUI
- 8th grade Chicagoland Community Israel Trips
- Volunteer with Monday Meal
- Lakeview Series: Chicago Multi-Denominational 8th Grade Learning Program
Crown Family High School
Crown Family High School is our Wednesday evening program for high school students. Teens meet weekly with our faculty consisting of the Rabbis, Cantor, Director of Education, and Family & Youth Engagement Associate. The evening begins with dinner, discussion, and social time, followed by Ma’ariv T’filah (Evening Prayer), and a class session taught by members of our clergy/education team and/or special guests. Our program leads up to a “Senior Seminar” for 12th Graders with our Rabbis and a Graduation ceremony at a Friday night Shabbat service in May.
Madrichim High School Teacher Assistant Program
Madrichim (teacher assistants) are 8th-12th graders who help at Religious School on Sunday mornings, or Wednesday evenings during Midweek Religious School. All Temple Sholom high school students are eligible to apply for this opportunity to earn money or service-learning hours, while making a positive impact upon younger students as mentors and role models. Participation in this program keeps teens connected to their Jewish community and helps them to be stronger candidates for summer jobs and stand out on college applications.
8th Grade Midweek Madrichim will be placed in a classroom or the Religious School office and be given further training, leadership roles, and opportunities. Participation in the 8th Grade program on Sundays is strongly recommended for participatants in the Midweek Madrichim program.
Click for 2024-2025 Application
IsraelNow (formerly Ta'am Yisrael)
8th grade Chicagoland Community Trips
This educational experience in Israel is designed to give participants a meaningful, intense, emotional, and focused taste of the land and their heritage through a week-long, "hands-on" experience in Israel. Explore Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, archeological digs, trek through the Negev desert and swim in the Dead Sea, visit historical sites and museums, make friends with Israelis, engage in social justice projects, and much more!
Visit www.israelnowtrip.org to learn more.
Temple Sholom
Westlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum and Lakeshore Jewish Funerals