"Dor Hahemshekh" (DHH) means "The Next Generation", and that is how we view our post B'nai Mitzvah middle and high school students at Bet Am Shalom - as torch bearers who will carry Jewish tradition into the future. We offer serious learning for our young adults who are ready to grapple with complex philosophical, theological and moral issues.

Traditional texts and subjects are taught in an environment that encourages free expression, respect for varying traditions, and thoughtful discourse. Meets weekly on Monday nights, starting at 6pm with pizza and concluding at 8pm.

Click here for our 5772 School Calendar 2011-2012 with links for more information about events.

Click here for links to Teen Trips all over the world in the spring and summer.

Click here to read an introduction letter by Education Director Abby Reiken.

Click here for information about 2012-2013 school registration

DHH Programs and Classes

For Grades 8-12:

Learn the skills to work as an effective teacher's aide on Sundays and/or Wednesdays in the BAS Hebrew School and/or on Shabbat mornings as a Junior Congregation Leader.

The word madrich/madricha means "guide" or "instuctor." Join us as we meet monthly on Monday nights from 6-8pm (Pizza dinner served from 6-6:30pm) to discuss how we can be guides and instructors with children. We'll support each other as we create and implement lesson plans, and share our ongoing teaching experiences.

The Madrichim class meets from 6-8pm on Mondays on the following days: 9/19, 10/24, 11/21, 12/12, 1/23, 2/27, 3/19, 4/30, 5/14.

Contact Education Director eddirector [at] betamshalom [dot] org (Abby Reiken )for more information. 

8th Grade:

May Zamechek, Instructor

Students will explore how their real-life experiences intersect with their identities as Reconstructionist Jewish teens.  Learning will take place through discussions, text study, and hands-on projects. 

Our BAS teens will have incredible opportunities to join teens from 10 other Reconstructionist congregations on the east coast through the TEL Program.

The TEL (Teens: Experience and Learning) Program includes the following components:

October 14-16th TEL Fall Kallah (retreat) for grades 8-11:  BAS teens will socialize with ~100 Reconstructionist teens from the east coast, celebrate Shabbat and Sukkot together, participate in values discussions, and have free time.  Education Director Abby Reiken will accompany BAS teens for this retreat at Camp JRF in Pennsylvania.  At this retreat teens will be introduced to the TEL theme of the year: Derekh Eretz (being a mensch).

October through April: 8th graders will explore the theme of Derekh Eretz with components of the engaging, relevant, and hands-on TEL curriculum monthly on Monday nights during Dor Hahemshech.  The 8th graders will create a Derekh Eretz project that will be shared at the spring retreat. Teens can keep in touch with other TEL teens through the TEL webpage.

April 27-29 TEL Spring Kallah (retreat) for grades 8-11: Teens will get together to socialize, celebrate Shabbat, and share their Derekh Eretz projects.

9th & 10th Grade Classes:

First period (6:30-7:15pm): "My Jewish Beliefs" with Rabbi Les Bronstein
What is the Jewish view of God?  Of Torah? Of evil? Of Jewish peoplehood and the purpose of Jewish life? It depends on what century you're talking about!

We will study "theology" (the study of God-belief) in the Bible, in the Rabbinic period, in Maimonides (12th c), in Luria (16th c), in Spinoza (17th c), in Chassidic teaching (18th-19th c), and among the great Jewish thinkers of the 20th and 21st centuries (Kaplan, Buber, Heschel, Green, Kushner, Plaskow, and more!).  At year's end, each of us will try to articulate our OWN Jewish beliefs.

Second period (7:20-8pm): "Issues and the Jews" with Jack Gruenberg
Students will discuss topical issues of the day from a distinctly Jewish perspective.  

First period (6:30-7:15pm): "Jewish Topical Potpourri" with Jack Gruenberg
Jack Gruenberg will challenge you to think critically and analytically about Jewish issues and values relevant to teens today.

Second period (7:20-8pm): "Torah and Spirit" with Rabbi Les Bronstein
Each week we will work through a short, powerful selection aimed at finding spiritual and personal insights into the weekly Torah portion.

Opportunities for Teens in our Community:
See attachments below for fliers on these programs.

The Hazon Teen Environmental Fellowship is the opportunity for ten- 11th and 12th graders to come together to learn and work towards building a healthy and sustainable community. This leadership program will meet nine times during the 2011-2012 school year, including a retreat Shabbaton.

HaZamir Westchester is a chapter of HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir, a program for musical Jewish teens of all backgrounds in 8th - 12th grades. For more information about HaZamir Westchester and our New Member Open House on September 18th at 1:30pm at Temple Israel Center in White Plains, please e-mail us at: hazamirwestchester [at] gmail [dot] com

The Westchester Klezmer Program operates a music performance program to promote community service through klezmer music performances at nursing homes, programs for children with special needs, programs for developmentally disabled adults, synagogues, and other community based events. Adults and teens take part by attending rehearsals and performing at concerts along side the children, helping to keep the students engaged in the program, providing them with appropriate modeling, and assisting at rehearsals.