Youth and Teen

Engage with other Jewish young adults through fun, educational, and exciting opportunities and activities. There are lots of great things happening for teens at NSCI! Beyond our services and regular tikkun olam events, these programs and meet-ups are an easy way for teens to stay connected to each other, NSCI, and their Jewish identity. 

For more information on any of the programs or opportunities below, please reach out to either Andrea Dalinka, NSCI's Young Youth Group Advisor, or Ben Reingold, NSCI's Youth Engagement Coordinator.

Elaine N. Sherman 2025 Karav Teen Retreat

Friday, February 28th - Sunday, March 2nd

The bus will leave NSCI for OSRUI at 4:00 pm on Friday, February 28th. 

In 2025, NSCI’s annual Karav Teen Retreat returns to OSRUI in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin! On Karav, teens participate in games, social programs, discussions, and religious services designed and led by other teens. It’s a weekend of Jewish learning and fun, meant to deepen connections between each other and with our Jewish identity.

The cost of attendance is $150 if your teen is not enrolled in Kehilah and that includes all meals and events throughout the weekend. Those already participating in Kehilah can attend the retreat for free. Click here to register.

Kehilah

Kehilah is a brand new, immersive Jewish teen experience at NSCI. Members of Kehilah will learn from clergy, discuss topics relevant to their lives, celebrate holidays together, and form new friendships through fun, teen-planned programs. Kehilah highlights include group outings, service projects, and a special spring retreat. 

View the full schedule for the year here.

All NSCI members in grades 8–12 are eligible to join Kehilah. When you enroll your child(ren) for school, make sure to check the box for Kehilah!

Fiedler Fellows

Our newest program, launched in 2020, is an opportunity for all NSCI teens to earn a $1,000 scholarship toward college tuition, a post-high school degree, or a trade program. It's as easy as participating in our teen offerings for all four years of high school. 

NEW Machonik Opportunity 

If you are looking for a flexible option, become a Tot Machonik to help with programming for families with children ages 0–5. There are one or two programs a month, usually on Saturdays, and we can work with your schedule. We also have a new weekday preschool program that needs machoniks and is running on Wednesdays from 4:15–5:45 pm!                

To enroll your teen, log in to your NSCI account and click My Enrollments.

Machonik Teacher Assistant          

Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am | Tuesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm | Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm

If your student likes working with younger students and learns best when teaching someone else, they’re invited to help Dr. Goodman and the NSCI Religious School teachers as a Machonik on Sundays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays. Machoniks are expected to attend Sunday training sessions once a month. 9th to 12th-grade Machoniks are paid an hourly rate for their work.

Jr. Machonik (Teen Aide)

Sundays, 9:00–11:00 am & Wednesdays, 4:15–5:45 pm

7th and 8th graders are invited to serve as Jr. Machoniks, teen aids, that help out in classrooms. Machonik training occurs on select Sundays from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Selah 

Sundays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, & select Fridays, 5:15–7:15 pm

6th–12th graders are welcome to join Selah to sing and/or play their musical instruments, under the guidance of Cantor David Goldstein and noted song-leader and composer, Alan Goodis. Selah members help lead worship at select Shabbat services and on the High Holy Days. 

Etgar 36: A Life-Changing Civil Rights Journey

January 23rd – 26th, 2025, America's Deep South

Join Rabbi Jacob Leizman for this exciting trip and visit the Rosa Parks Museum, Voter Rights Museum, Edmund Pettus Bridge, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, The Legacy Museum, Freedom Park, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and more! Learn about the struggles of African Americans in the 1950s and 60s, discover how the Jewish community helped to shape the civil rights movement and meet heroes who participated in the movement and remain committed to pursuing justice today. This trip is intended for 9th–12th graders with a guardian.

Register before September 15th and receive 50% off your registration fee! And please be in touch with Rabbi Leizman for generous need-based scholarship funding.

October 15th – Registration is due, along with your $500 non-refundable deposit.