Temple Beth El has two organized youth groups—one for senior high school students (9th-12th grades) and one for junior high (7th and 8th grades). Our Youth Advisor, Alice Pennes , facilitates both groups. The youth groups are a fun, casual, and engaging way that Jewish youth can meet each other and experience Judaism in ways that are pertinent to their lives.

Our youth groups are open to any Jewish teen in Santa Cruz County.

All activities are supervised by the youth advisor and other youth-friendly adults. All participants must sign a code of conduct to participate in activities, so that youth group is a comfortable environment for everyone. The Temple Youth Committee, made up of adults and teens, meets several times a year in support of the youth groups.

Each group functions somewhat differently and is described below:

SRFY

The Senior Youth Group, called SRFY (Santa Cruz Reform Federation of Youth; formerly SCOTY) is run by a board of teens who plan the activities for the year. Yearly activities include a freshman kidnap breakfast, a ski trip in Lake Tahoe,  running a canned food drive for the High Holidays, doing a creative service for the whole congregation, sleepovers, hikes, cooking nights, Chanukah party, interfaith activities, going to NFTY weekends, and more. The cost to join this group is $36.  More about SRFY and its schedule of events.

We participate in the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), which is run by the URJ. NFTY brings together Jewish teens from all over the Central West area, which even includes Hawaii. They have four weekend retreats at a Jewish camp during the school year. All of these activities are optional and are simply some examples of what will be offered to teens who wish to join SCOTY and get a whole new perspective on what Jewish community is about.

The Junior Youth Group, called BETY (Beth El Temple Youth) is run by the youth advisor, Alice Pennes, in consultation with a junior youth board. Activities include a movie/pizza night, sleepovers at the Temple, helping with the Purim carnival, going camping, and two weekend retreats at a Jewish camp, also under the umbrella of NFTY (see above).  All activities are optional, and the teens can influence what activities get planned during the year. The cost to join this group is $18.

If you know someone who would like to join our youth groups, feel free to get in touch.  Please be aware that there is a summer break, so you may not get a response until after August 15th.

Questions can be directed via email to Alice Pennes or you can phone her at (831) 479-3444, x204.  Come make this year be our best ever.