Congregation Beth El - Keser Israel | 85 Harrison St, New Haven | (203) 389-2108 | beki.org

It promises to be a busy year for every age group at Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel [BEKI].

BEKI’s Kadima youth group for 4th through 8th graders offers a chance for tweens and grade schoolers to have fun while making new Jewish friends. Kadima started off the year with blueberry picking at Bishop’s Orchards. Upcoming events include a November 12 trip to the Adventure Ropes Course at Jordan’s Furniture and a Chanukah party on December 9. 

At the USY fall kickoff event, 23 teenagers — grades 7-12 — gathered over pizza and sushi to discuss plans. Led by USY co-presidents Miranda Hurwitz, Miles Katz, and Daniel Manning, all seniors at Amity High School, the group focused, among other things, on how to fulfill high school required volunteer hours in ways that live out Jewish values. BEKI will match teens with volunteer opportunities  that align with the congregation’s values, whether that means helping out at the synagogue or serving the larger community. 

Meanwhile, BEKI USY is gearing up for Sunday, November 5, when they teen will bake pareve Thanksgiving pumpkin and apple pies in BEKI’s kitchen. Proceeds from the annual project will benefit a local nonprofit that serves the hungry. In addition, pies sponsored by community members are donated to those in need through programs at the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK).

In December, BEKI USY plans to host a Hanukkah game night. Teen Kesher, a learning program for 7th through 12th graders led by Education Director Annie Norman-Schiff and Rabbi Eric Woodward, that meets alternating Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. the Teens explore Jewish texts and ideas that address their own interests. 

For more information about BEKI, go to www.beki.org.