Youth Groups

Our youth programs build lasting friendships and memories - join the fun!

Eligibility

Temple Israel’s youth groups are open to all Jewish 4-12 graders in the community regardless of synagogue affiliation. For membership information, click on the appropriate link or contact  youth@synagogue.org.

Kadima: For Fourth through Seventh Graders

  • Get together at Temple Israel and other participating synagogues each month to hang out, play games, watch movies, go on outings, and have fun. Kadimaniks have gone to amusement and trampoline parks, enjoyed ice skating, played mini-golf, and gotten together for pool parties.
  • Help others throughout the year.
  • Celebrate Jewish holidays with other Kadimaniks.
  • Participate in regional programs such as day trips, Shabbatons, and weekend conventions, as well as a Kadima-only week-long encampment each summer. 

Kadima means forward in Hebrew and is the United Synagogue Youth program for middle-schoolers.

FLIPPER (USY):  For Eighth through Twelfth Graders

  • Join in FLIPPER’S monthly activities. The United Synagogue Youth (USY) Board has planned mini-golf, movie nights, pool parties, trivia contests, bowling, snow tubing and so much more.
  • Hone leadership skills by serving on FLIPPER’S youth-led board and help plan the group’s activities under the guidance of the experienced USY Advisor.
  • Look forward to monthly regional activities including dances, Shabbatons, weekend long conventions, and other fun events.

FLIPPER stands for the co-sponsoring Conservative synagogues in Fair Lawn, Paramus, and Ridgewood. It is our local United Synagogue Youth program for high schoolers. The FLIPPER chapter is part of USCJ’s New Jersey Hagalil Region, offering monthly programs throughout northern and central New Jersey.

Opportunities for Travel

Kadimaniks and FLIPPER members can participate in USY’s national and international travel programs as well as Hagalil’s weeklong encampment program.

Program Supervision and Oversight

Both programs are professionally supervised by the FLIPPER Kadima/USY paid advisor.

A Parent Youth Committee, chaired by a volunteer, oversees programming. Join the committee and meet others in our community to brainstorm new activities and provide guidance and direction to the paid youth advisor. Contact the temple office (office@synagogue.org or 201-444-9320) and ask to be put in contact with the Youth Committee Chair.4