TE Teens
Teen programming at Temple Emanu-El is designed to mirror the wide variety of opportunities available throughout our congregation. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, learn, attend services, or simply spend time with friends, we hope every teen finds something that feels meaningful and enjoyable. Our goal is to help you stay connected: to the temple, to your peers, and to the Jewish community.
Our teen programming focuses on three main areas:
- Volunteering
- Educational & Learning Opportunities
- Community & Social Connection
See what’s happening this year!
→ View our Teen Calendar 2026–2027
Volunteering (Chesed)
There are many meaningful ways to give back and make a difference in our community.
Religious School Volunteering
One of our most popular programs is volunteering in our Religious School. Teens can work directly with younger students, assist teachers in the classroom, help with Hebrew reading, or support the school with behind-the-scenes logistics.
Most teens volunteer on Sunday mornings, although Wednesday opportunities are also available. This is a more consistent commitment, but we understand that sports, school activities, and other obligations arise throughout the year. We’re happy to work with your schedule whenever possible.
This program is truly a win-win-win: our students benefit from positive teen role models, our teachers and school receive valuable support, and our volunteers gain leadership experience while making a real impact.
Rockleigh Jewish Home Visits
Join us for monthly visits to the Rockleigh Jewish Home, where teens spend time with residents through games, conversation, and other activities. These visits are consistently one of our most meaningful volunteer experiences.
When: Select Sundays, 10:15–11:30 a.m.
Location: Meet directly at Rockleigh Jewish Home
Led by: A local college student
Tikkun Olam Group
Our monthly Tikkun Olam group meets immediately after Religious School and focuses on making the world a better place through hands-on service projects. It’s a great opportunity for teens already volunteering on Sundays or anyone looking to get involved in community service.
This year’s projects will include:
- Packing rice for food relief organizations
- Assisting the Closter Food Pantry
- Preparing care packages for people experiencing homelessness
- Letter-writing campaigns
- And many other meaningful service projects.
High Holiday Volunteering
Volunteers are always needed during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Rabbi Ruberg at ruberg@tecloster.org for more information.
Educational & Learning Opportunities
Heyer-Heidenberg Honors Program | 8th & 9th Grades
Our Heyer-Heidenberg program meets weekly and provides an outstanding opportunity for teens to deepen their Jewish knowledge and engage in meaningful discussion.
For more information about the current cohort, please click here.
Special Teen Programs
Throughout the year, we offer special educational programs focused on topics that matter to today’s teens, including antisemitism, Jewish identity, Israel, and other important issues facing the Jewish community.
Holocaust Education
Please join us on November 10 at 5:00 p.m. for a special virtual tour of Auschwitz. This unique and powerful educational experience offers an opportunity to learn about the Holocaust in a meaningful and memorable way.
Community & Social Connection
Jewish life is about more than learning and volunteering—it’s also about building friendships and feeling connected to your community. Throughout the year we offer a variety of fun, engaging programs that give teens opportunities to connect with one another while celebrating Jewish life together.
Some favorites include:
- Challah baking
- Hamantaschen baking
- Sukkah building
- Holiday celebrations
- And many other fun events throughout the year
BBYO
We are proud to partner with and support the new BBYO Palisade Chapter. For teens looking for an expanded Jewish social experience beyond Temple Emanu-El, BBYO offers outstanding leadership opportunities, meaningful programming, and friendships with Jewish teens from across the area.
