A Thrilling Start to 2026 at Youth Engagement & Religious School
We are brimming with excitement as we kick off 2026 in the YERS department, with inspiring experiences, meaningful travel, and joyful prayer that truly connect our students to their Jewish identity.
Our Thanksgiving Poland-heritage trip was beyond all expectations. Our group of 19 explored life before, during, and after the war — not only remembering the atrocities but also connecting with the living Jewish present.
This year, we had the incredible opportunity to welcome guests to our dinners who shared with us about current Jewish life in Poland. We met leaders such as Jonathan Ornstein (CEO of the Jewish Community Centre of Kraków), Marta Kubica (CEO of Elnet Poland) and her husband, a Righteous Among the Nations 3G, and the respected journalist Konstanty Gebert, who kept the teens engaged for hours. We also met a dear friend, Kasya—who, at age 28, discovered she was Jewish and has since embraced Jewish learning and a Jewish way of life.
I know many of us naturally focus first on the Holocaust and the terrible scars our relatives and families endured. But I feel it is equally important, now more than ever, to acknowledge and honor the richness and resilience of Jewish life in Poland—a heritage that flourished for a thousand years, and that is being renewed today.
In January, our 10th graders will travel to Washington, D.C., to learn firsthand how our government works—how decisions are made, voices are heard, and how, even as teens, they can play a role in shaping civic engagement. This trip will give them a powerful lens into leadership, advocacy, and the importance of standing up for values they believe in.
Meanwhile, our 11th-grade Social Justice Fellows are gearing up for their return trip to Guatemala, where they will dive into environmental building—getting their hands dirty, embracing eco-construction techniques, and exploring how local customs and traditions compare and contrast with their own. It is a profound opportunity for cultural exchange, service, reflection, and growth.
Back on campus, we are honored to continue our learning through fun, curriculum-based, hands-on programming, trips, and reflections to connect with our roots and traditions, our history, and our heritage. And let’s not forget the everyday magic: our students are lighting up tefilah (prayer) services in ways that surprise and delight. You should see them singing aloud, performing the movements that accompany the words, dancing, and even jumping to the rhythm of the prayers. While we don’t expect quite the full concert version at our YERS Shabbat, know that this joyous connection to liturgy is something that sends shivers through us with pride.
If you haven’t already signed up for our annual YERS Shabbat on Friday, February 6, 2025, I invite you to do so now. This is a very special evening — led by our children and teens for the whole community — followed by our community-wide dinner under the stars. Our entire Temple Beth Am community has embraced this beloved event, and in the last two years, our attendance has surpassed 450 people. Know that YERS wants to cultivate a space where families get to know one another, grow together, and celebrate friendship and community.
Thank you to all our families for supporting your children in these rich experiences. We look forward to watching them learn, lead, serve, and celebrate in the months ahead. Here’s to a year of discovery, purpose, and joy together.
With gratitude,
Tamara