Community Havdallah

 

We started our evening with a game called "Illustrated Broken Telephone."  Note how focused the Youth Group is on their artistic creations!

Once everyone arrived, we checked in about our weeks, celebrated Havdallah together, and shared a meal. We took time to enjoy each other's company, be in the present moment, and not worry about life's stresses, if only for a little while.

Finally, because this year's theme is Cultivating Community, we did some group bonding exercises to work on cooperation, communication, and reflection:

The teens had to work together as they each held a string connected to a metal ring, which they had to fit onto a bar.  It's not as easy as you think.  To get a better sense of the group challenge, check out this video:

We've started the 2013-2014 Union Temple Youth Group on a great note so far and are excited to build on this sense of community as we move forward.  Next up--Thanksgivakkuh Midnight Run!  The next one will not happen for another 70,000 years, so we're going to make the most of it.

Party Like It's 5774!

Rosh Hashanah 

We started this meeting with our check-in.  Then the Teens shared what they’ve been doing for the summer since the last meeting.  After sharing our stories of summer camps and vacations, Aaron placed some “Jewish” objects and pictures on the floor and inquired which object is most meaningful to them.  Some of the objects included a yarmuka, kidish cup, a picture of Union Temple, and a picture of a family lighting a menorah.  We each picked an object or picture and explained to the group why we chose it and its significance to us.  We then watched a music video about why we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah and the story of Abraham and Isaac that was shortly followed by short discussion.  Teens then drew maps of our “Jewish” journey and “American” journey and shared it with the group.  We then went to the roof (shhh it’s a secret!) and blew the shofar and cast our sins away.

 Shanah Tovah,

Abigail Marin