Youth Community

Through both experiential education and social programming, we foster growth in the Jewish community and lasting friendships. Participating in a youth group is one of the key indicators of an active Jewish life through adulthood. While we know kids and teens today are involved in a variety of activities and programs across the Chicago area, we are committed to providing meaningful experiences for children of all ages. For information regarding these programs, please contact Stacy La Mell, Youth Community Director, at [email protected]

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BEANS
The Youth Community at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El is affectionately known as “BEANS”.
We run three youth groups for children in grades 2-12, as well as our Beth El Sisterhood College Connection program. Youth can be drawn to Judaism in many different ways and we strive to help them create their own Jewish identity in an informal environment.

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USY Chaverim (2nd-4th)
USY Chaverim is our youth group for kids in grades 2-4 and includes programming such as Day Off events, art programs, silent discos, movie nights, and much more.

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USY  Gesher (5th-7th)
USY Gesher is our youth group for kids in grades 5-7. Programs for this age group focus on fostering friendships within the synagogue and around the Chicagoland area by participation in regional programming. Programs are planned with the help of the USY Gesher leadership cohort, to foster responsibility and provide activities of interest to the students. Escape rooms, pizza and movie nights, bowling are just a few of the events we offer. USY Gesher extends beyond our local chapter, and is affiliated with our region, CHUSY, and the youth programs of the Conservative movement.

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USY (8th-12th)
BEANS USY is our youth group for kids in grades 8-12. Programs are planned by a board of USYers with the help of our dedicated staff. Generously supported by the Barbara P. Hochberg USY Fund, BEANS USY is committed to social activism, tzedakah, and Jewish engagement, all while building a peer community. BEANS USY is affiliated with our region, CHUSY, and with the United Synagogue Youth programs of the Conservative movement. BEANS USY and teen programming in general, continues to explore opportunities to engage teens when there are so many extracurricular and competing activities. A dessert tour of Chicago, sushi in the Sukkah, escape rooms and community service programs are just a few of the programs we offer. 

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College Connection

College Connection is a program designed to keep our college students connected to their Jewish community here in Highland Park.  Through the stewardship of Beth El’s Youth Community, we send 3 – 4 holiday-themed packages to our students each year, with packing help from our parents.  We also connect our students to resources about alternative winter/spring break programs, Birthright Israel, Jewish programs on campus, summer jobs and study abroad opportunities.  

The program is free, endowed by NSS Beth El Sisterhood, but registration is required every year.  Click on the link (at any time during the year) to register your child: https://nssbe.shulcloud.com/form/collegeconnection 

If you have any questions about this program, including if you’d like to volunteer to help pack, please contact Stacy La Mell at [email protected].

If you’d like to make a donation to help support this important on-going initiative, please log into your ShulCloud account and, in the “Type” drop-down on the Donate page, scroll to Sisterhood College Connection Fund (under 3 – Endowment Funds).   

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For updates on the programs, or for ways to get involved, please contact Stacy La Mell,
Director of Youth Community, at [email protected].