Welcome to the Teen Center
A Place and Program Where Teens Are Always Top Priority.
Shaaray Tefila is the place for teens to THRIVE. At our Teen Center, our teens have a place to explore who they are, cultivate meaningful relationships and build upon the skills and values that matter most, to become their best selves far beyond the walls of TST and the Jewish community.
Serving dinner to our friends from the Emergency Shelter Partnership
Making a difference on a Midnight Run
About the Teen Center
Teen Center Mission
Our Mission: Building a community for teens to express their authentic selves through education, creating meaningful relationships, and providing opportunities in volunteerism, social action, and leadership & professional development.
Teen Center Vision
To be a place where teens join to explore their Jewish identities, improve their leadership skills, give back to the greater community, and grow to become their best selves.
Teen Center Offerings
8th & 9th Grade - Social Justice-Focused and Jewish Value-Based
8th & 9th grade teens will meet every other Monday night (twice a month), sometimes on campus and sometimes off campus site visits to Community Center of Northern Westchester, Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, Midnight Run Headquarters in Dobbs Ferry, and other community sites. Students will have individualized education with a focus on tikkun olam/social action while putting Jewish values into action. There will also be times when programs will have guest speakers about Israel, Antisemitism, Jewish Identity, Torah study, Cooking Classes (i.e. how to make challah bread, hamantaschen, etc...). Moving Traditions' Kulam Curriculum will also be used and infused within programs and classes (for more info check flyer below).
10th to 12th Grade Confirmation Study with Rabbi Ross
Originally just for 10th grade, but now also for 11th-12th graders who haven't experienced Confirmation are invited to join the amazing Rabbi Ross, who has written 5 books and written for the New York Times for an independent study group! Classes will be on most Sundays, from 11:30-12:15 PM for "What does Judaism Say about....?" Students will look at spiritual, social, and a range of issues from a Jewish perspective, offering students a deeper understanding of Jewish teaching and tradition. The study will culminate in a class led Confirmation service at the end of the year. The cost includes the special service, robes, dinner, and gifts.
11th-12th Grade Post-Confirmation Class
Meets once a month on a Monday night focusing on college campus & climate education providing upperclassmen with the necessary tools, strategies, and information to prepare them for life on campus as a Jewish student.
Teen Center Programming
Events, Programs, and Trips
All teens will have access to Teen Center events, programs, and trips for free or at a discounted rate including, but not limited to:
- Grand Prix/K1 Speed Bowling and Arcading
- NYC Midnight Run Volunteer Program
- The JCCA Cottage School Visits
- Sushi in the Sukkah
- Escape Rooms
- Bubble Tea Outings
- Cupcake Wars
- Interfaith Thanksgiving Cooking
- Event with Westchester Youth Alliance
- Emergency Shelter Partnership
- Bigs/Littles Program: pairing 7th graders with current members of the Teen Center
- Religious Action Center L’Taken Social Justice Seminar Trip to Washington DC for 10th-12th grade
And much, much more!
ToaSTY (Temple Shaaray Tefila Youth) Teen Leadership Council:
About ToaSTY
Make a difference in your community by being a part of a team that builds fun, social, and Jewish experiences for your peers at Temple Shaaray Tefila and beyond! Hang out with your friends, make new connections, celebrate holidays, and explore your Jewish identity. As a board member, you will: help shape teen social programming, create engaging events, carry out community service initiatives, collaborate with other organizations, enhance your leadership development & skills, and so much more!
Application for ToaSTY Board
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If interested, fill out this form ASAP! Please email teens@templest.org with any questions. We look forward to receiving your application.
Madrichim (Teacher's Assistant) Program
Madrichim
Madrich translates leader or guide. This is exactly what our Madrichim do, they serve as a guide and leader to our younger students at our Religious School either on Sunday mornings and/or Monday afternoons. Madrichim are also guided by their peers and partner teachers on a path of leadership development and Jewish identity building.
*All Madrichim positions will be filled on a first come first serve basis*
The Abrons Youth Leadership Award Scholarship
About the award
For the first time, the Louis and Anne Abrons Foundation has given our Teen Center a grant to create the Abrons Youth Leadership Award.
This prestigious scholarship celebrates high school seniors who:
Are fully enrolled and active members in the Teen Center
Demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, and community service.
The recipients embody Jewish values such as:
Tikkun olam (repairing the world)
Chesed (kindness)
Kehilla (community)
Inspiring others through their ruach and commitment to making a meaningful impact in their schools, communities, and beyond.
New Enrollment Fees
Pay-one-price
Pay a one-time enrollment fee, you will now have access to EVERYTHING! After hearing helpful feedback, we've decided to make it easier and consolidate the Monday Night Live and Teen Center membership fee into one cost so it's just the Teen Center that you're enrolling in and anyone who enrolls will have access to all of our offerings; whether or not the teen decides to attend classes and/or events is up to them but now they have access to everything through this combined track.
Bigs & Littles get to know you event
Lobbying at RAC in Washington, DC
