At Congregation Beth Shalom, we believe our youth are the heart and future of our community. Our Youth Department is dedicated to creating meaningful, fun, and enriching experiences that inspire Jewish values, foster friendships, and build a lifelong connection to Judaism.
The Youth Department and congregation are part of the Southeast/ HaNegev region of United Synagogue Youth and the Southeast Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Chaverim (Hebrew for “Friends”) is for 3rd through 5th graders. This program provides a social Jewish environment, and builds connections between the public and private school kids of Beth Shalom. Chaverim paves the future for engagement in Gesher and USY. We usually meet about once a month, usually on Sundays from 12:15-2:00.
Gesher (“Bridge” in Hebrew) is USY’s program for middle-schoolers with programming closely tied to USY, including recreational activities, holiday celebrations, leadership development, weekend retreats, community service projects and more. Our Beth Shalom chapter meets about once a month usually on Sundays 12:15-2:00.
USY is for teens in 9th through 12th grade. We offer activities several times a month.
USY empowers Jewish youth to develop friendships, leadership skills, a sense of belonging to the Jewish People, a deep engagement with and love for Israel, and a commitment to inspired Jewish living through meaningful and fun experiences based on the ideology of Conservative Judaism.
In addition to our chapter programming, Gesher and USYers get to participate in programs with other Gesher and USYers from all over our region.
Our programs are open to any Jewish students in the above grades.
To join any of the Beth Shalom Youth Groups or for more information please contact: Youth Director, Ilana Funk at or Youth Commissioner, Kendra Fabry at
Ilana Funk
Youth Director
Kendra Fabry
KUSY Youth Commissioner
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