Teens @ Am Shalom
Note that Registration for our TEEN programs is conducted through our online School Registration system. Registration is here.
*Click here: Madrichol and Shir Chadash Application - for 8th-12th graders (*This is a Google form, and should be filled out by the TEEN and does not need login.)
Teens @ Am Shalom is our learning program that offers flexibility and directed learning for our 9th-12th graders. We want to give more students a variety of paths to Confirmation in their 10th grade year, including both learning and community activities.
There are SIX different ways for a student to accrue credits toward Confirmation:
- Students can receive 1 credit for each learning trimester attended.
- Students can receive 1 credit for being one of our madrichol for the year
- Students can receive 1 credit for being a member of Shir Chadash
- Students can receive 1 credit for serving on the Am Shalom (AShTY) Teen Board
The learning year is divided into three trimesters, and learners can enroll in 1, 2, or 3 trimesters. You can register for the whole year at once, or separately by trimesters.
In order to be eligible for the Confirmation Seminar (and participate in the Confirmation ceremony at the end of the 10th grade), learners will need to accrue 3 credits each year. (So - 3 credits in the 9th grade year, and 3 credits in the 10th grade year, including the Confirmation Seminar, which is required for Confirmation. Eighth grade is a separate program, your student may register for our 8th grade program, work as a madrichol and/or go on the Chicago IsraelNow trip.)
Teens @ Am Shalom also includes learning opportunities for our 11th and 12th grade students to continue the conversations. Previous participation in Confirmation programs is not required.
Trimester Dates (2024-2025)
Fall Trimester
9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24
Winter Trimester
12/8, 12/15, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9
Spring Trimester
2/23, 3/2, 3/16, 4/6, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11
Courses for 9-12th graders (2024-2025)
Rated R Torah (for 9th graders only) - Looking at a number of stories in the Torah, we will have frank conversations about consent and personal empowerment. We’ll go beyond the G-rated versions of the stories to understand why the Torah is actually so interesting.
Our teens are, more than ever, confronting issues and definitions of their own identities. This culminating learning experience helps to synthesize where Judaism fits into those identities. Students will affirm and confirm their place in our community. We will start the year together in seminar, talking about identity and placing ourselves squarely inside of current events. The group will have three additional meetings in the second half of the year and the experience will conclude with our Confirmation Ceremony on May 18, 2025.
Additional Confirmation Programs:
Shabbat with the Soul Children, Friday, January 17, 2025
Family Dinner at Rabbi Steve's House, Sunday, March 2, 2025
The God Talk: Sunday, April 20
Confirmation Ceremony: May 18, 2025 at 3:00pm
San Francisco Trip - “Go West!” - We will spend the weeks before the trip learning about a geography of Jews in America, and the impact that Jews have had on different regions. (Students who sign up for this option must be registered by October 1 and agree to attend at least 70% of the sessions before the trip. An additional form will be required as well as a parent meeting.) Trip Dates: February 14 - 17, 2025 (Presidents’ Day weekend) *Additional cost for the trip will be $1200
Living Jewishly Through Jewish Food - This class will explore different styles of Jewish cooking and food, and how we can live Jewish lives, perform mitzvot, and help others through the kitchen.
How to Argue Like a Jew - holy debates both modern and ancient - As Jews, we have a long and beautiful history of arguing. From Hillel and Shammai, to our views on modern Judaism, the arguments have made us stronger as a people. In this class, we will learn how to argue respectfully, take on different divisive scenarios ranging from simple disagreements, levels of observance, Israel and the diaspora, and learn more about ourselves.
Jewish Mindfulness - Through experiential mindfulness practices, this class will dive into Jewish spiritual teaching and ideas.
11th/12th Grade Additional Opportunity:
11th/12th Grade Seminar - We are so happy to be able to again offer our 11th & 12th graders an opportunity to continue their Jewish development through thoughtful conversations about the many topics that matter to them such as environmentalism, community health, civil rights, and how do we think of Israel in today's world. 11th/12th Grade Seminar will meet in person once a month October-May for a total of 8 sessions. We will meet on Wednesdays after Hebrew School (6:00 - 7:30pm) - dinner will be provided.
Dates TBD.
There is no cost for this program but we do require registration.
Am Shalom is proud to be a member of the Union for Reform Judaism.