Leadership • Identity • Community

TeenShemet is a meaningful next step for students who have completed the core OMJS curriculum and want to stay connected, deepen their Jewish learning, and grow as leaders.

This unique program is designed for students in Grades 8 and 9 and runs in parallel with the regular OMJS calendar. Classes take place on Sundays at the JCC, but the learning extends far beyond the classroom.

What makes TeenShemet special?

• Values-based learning
  Teens explore real-world ethical questions, Jewish identity, and current events through open discussions and guided learning.
• Leadership development
  Students develop skills in communication, responsibility, and teamwork, with opportunities to mentor younger peers and take on leadership roles.
• Volunteer experience
  Participants earn recognized community service hours by helping in classrooms, supporting events, and taking part in service projects.
• Experiential education
  In addition to Sunday classes, TeenShemet includes local field trips, community site visits, and special programming days throughout the year.
• Pluralistic and inclusive
  Like the rest of OMJS, TeenShemet embraces diverse expressions of Jewish identity and practice.

Why TeenShemet?

For many teens, the years following Bar/Bat Mitzvah can feel like a natural end point for Jewish education. TeenShemet offers a different path—one that values their maturity, voices, and potential. It is a space to keep growing Jewishly while becoming active contributors to the Jewish community.