Temple Hesed’s Youth Program is open to all Temple Hesed Youth, regardless of age. Affiliated and closely tied to the Union of Reform Judaism and URJ’s youth arm, NFTY, the North American Federation of Temple Youth, Temple Hesed’s Youth Group, “HEFTY”, will make your children feel special about his/her Jewish identity while having fun and enjoying age appropriate activities. Although Temple Hesed’s children are involved in grade-specific activities in our Shabbat School, the youth group brings all our youth together to build closer friendships within our Temple community. Some activities are especially geared to younger or older children, but many encompass all our youth, allowing the older children to model activities for the younger members. The Youth Group activities allow our children to learn about their Jewish heritage and values through performing community service and taking field trips to museums. Even kids need a break, however, which is why we have game nights, sleepovers, ice-skating, movie nights and more. Through “HEFTY” our children grow, have a sense of community and belonging, and learn to care for and about their younger siblings and friends. Our older teens stay in touch with the Temple community through special activities geared for them.
Our teens have a number of opportunities to get together with youth groups from Pennsylvania and New York, in addition to national programs sponsored by NFTY. We also encourage our students to take part in Jewish camps, especially the Reform Movements’s superb Camp Harlam, in Northeastern Pennsylvania.