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As children arrive in their Religious School classrooms each week, they are welcomed with an enthusiastic burst of energy from one of the teen volunteers. What gets a group of teenagers up early, off their phones, and engaged in the community on a weekend? As 9th grader Maeve Toomey describes, “I love being able to pass on the same Hebrew School experience I had and teach kids to love their religion.”
The aim of our dynamic Religious School is to help shape the next generation of Jewish adults — one child at a time. We do this by creating highly relevant and intentional programming, recruiting dynamic faculty who place an emphasis on community building, and nearly 40 teenage volunteers who show up each week!
The 8th through 12th grade teens who volunteer on Sunday mornings are part of a “Young Leadership Program” designed by the full-time Religious School team. They call themselves “YLPs” or “Madrichim” (helpers). The program includes lessons on leadership, developmental stages of children, how to “manage up” and work collaboratively, and so much more. They reflect on the impact of their work, as well as how their own Jewish identity is evolving. 10th grader Emma Davidoff says, “It has been a great way to understand what it means to be a Jewish leader and the impact I can make in my community.”
When not in training, the teens take on a variety of roles — each curated based on their interests and the needs of the Religious School. They volunteer in classrooms to support teachers and students in every grade, assist with Hebrew learning, organize snacks, work one-on-one as a “buddy,” and beyond. Students love and admire these teenagers, often seeing them as local Jewish celebrities within the community.
“I’ve realized how meaningful it is to make a positive impact on the next generation of Jewish individuals,” 8th grader Gavin Puller says. The opportunity for students to connect with teens — those who CHOOSE to continue showing up after their b’nei mitzvah — is a major contributor to the school’s joyful culture, and a great indicator of a positive Jewish future. Gavin adds, “It also helps me stay connected to WHC and the community.”
These teens are dedicated, compassionate, and take such pride in the work they are doing. 9th grader Amare Kaufman says, “I enjoy making the kids I work with happy, and I like making sure they have the best experience possible.” The teens also take many positives from being in the program. As 11th grader Aviva Mitrani-Reiser explains, “I have been a YLP for three years now, and it is one of the best experiences of my high school life. Also, it is a good way for me to refresh and reconnect with my Judaism.”
Do you know a teen who might be interested in deepening their Jewish engagement? Let us know! If being a YLP does not appeal, know that WHC has incredible Upper School programming for 8th-12th graders, a very active Youth Group (WHECTY), and several other entry points for engagement. Curious or want to hear more? Just reach out!
