Youth Programs

Youth Committee Chair Alaina Andino Wilder

Congregation Ohev Shalom firmly believes in supporting the youth of our synagogue. Towards this end we offer a variety of programs for children of all ages. We have three active and successful youth groups that serve our youth from fourth to twelfth grade. These groups offer the opportunity for preteens and teens to strengthen their identification with Judaism and with the synagogue, as well as to socialize and interact with their Jewish peers and friends.

Olim

Youth group for 3rd,4th and 5th grade COS members. Meets once a month usually on a Sunday afternoon or Saturday night. Activities include social and cultural events as well as Jewish holiday and Israel programs.
Advisor: Ellen Zollman (ellen@zollman.com)

Click HERE to download an Olim membership application.

Kadima

Youth group for 6th-8th graders. Part of the National United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s youth movement. Meets approximately once a month and activities include social events, holiday and Israel celebrations, community service projects and trips. COS Kadima participates in regional and subregional events with Kadima chapters from all around Florida. COS has the largest chapter in the entire region. Open to non COS members.
Contacts: Tracey Levy (educasst@ohevshalom.org) or Amy Geboff (educator@ohevshalom.org)

Click HERE to download a Kadima membership application.

USY

Youth group for 9th-12th graders. Part of the National United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s youth movement. Meets several times a month for social, religious, Shabbat and holiday celebrations as well as Community service and Israel programs. COSUSY was named International Chapter of the Year 2007-2008. Open to non-COS members.
Contacts: Amy Geboff (educator@ohevshalom.org) or Tracey Levy (educasst@ohevshalom.org)

Click HERE to download a USY membership application.

MACHAR

A community service program that enables 9th-12th graders to earn community service hours for school, earn subsidies for USY events and programs, Beit Hamidrash tuition and Jewish summer programs.
Made possible by a grant from the Hornik Family Foundation

Performing Arts Project

Each year the COS Youth Department does some type of performing arts project for the youth of the synagogue as a way to connect them to the synagogue through another venue. This program is open to all COS members in grades 4-12 and anyone who wants to be in the cast is in it. Past musical theatre performances include: We Are Your Song America; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor© Dreamcoat, The Education of Hyman Kaplan;Vashti Was Right!; Fiddler on the Roof Junior; and Prairie Lights. This year, we’ll be performing “Freedom” — The Jewish Brigade. We’ve also recorded a CD: “KolNoar- Voices of Congregation Ohev Shalom Youth.”
Made possible by a grant from the Joseph and Frieda Ross Foundation

MADRICHIM

For COS 8th-12th graders who want to help at Hebrew school and learn leadership skills. Class one Sunday a month with teacher Rachel Slavkin to learn to work with children, effective communication, leadership skills and planning programs. Madrichim also work to plan school wide events. On the other 3 Sundays or Wednesdays, Madrichim work in the school. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a stipend at the end of the year for a USY program or Camp Ramah.
Made possible by a grant from the Hornik Family Foundation

MACHANEH OHEV Lite

. . . is our newest youth group for our youngest Ohev members in grades K-2nd. The name of the group is taken from the one week camp we have that is so much fun for all of our children which means “camp Ohev.” Children participate in youth group/camp like games and activities around a theme. MACHANEH OHEV Lite meets from 12:30 to 2 on specific Sundays. A small fee is charged for each event to cover the costs. MACHANEH OHEV is led by COS Madrichim and Staff.  Click here to register.

Our youth groups and youth programs are supervised and overseen by Amy Geboff, Director of Youth and Family Education for COS. The Youth commission is the synagogue committee that works with the above named professionals in setting policy and allowing for the smooth functioning of our youth groups within the synagogue setting. We are strongly committed to keeping our youth involved in the synagogue and in Jewish life, and to offer them support towards becoming our future Jewish leaders.