Tichon (High School)
7th-12th graders at Neveh Shalom stay engaged in Jewish learning and social life through our weekly ALIYAH Tichon program on Wednesday evenings. Our classes offer our teen community the opportunity to learn with our diverse teaching staff and enjoy high-level conversation about timely topics through a Jewish lens. This year’s program is a hybrid program of in-person, small group cohorts and online gatherings over Zoom on Wednesday evenings. Each grade has a specially designed curriculum, including our popular Mensches & Mavens inter-generational program for 7th graders, senior seminar with Rabbi Kosak, and this year, a new track focusing on social justice and a leadership certificate program.
Mensches & Mavens (7th Grade)
Our 7th grade “mensches” are paired with elders from our congregation (“mavens”) to create lasting connections and conversations. Facilitated by Rabbi Eve Posen and educator/artist Eddy Shuldman.
Beyond Bnai Mitzvah (8th Grade)
Beyond B’nai Mitzvah is a program that honors the budding intellect and independence of our teens, deconstructs the biggest ideas and rituals of Jewish life, and challenges our youth to consider for themselves what prayer, minyan, God, and ritual actually mean.
Empowered Leadership or Social Justice (9th-11th grades)
Our 9th-11th grade teens choose from two tracks: Empowered leadership allows teens to learn and try out skills for any leadership position through attuned skill building, games, and focused projects, earning them a certificate at the end of the year. Social justice track: What are the problems in our community or our world that keep you up at night? Students choose an area of focus, meet with community activists, learn a framework for action, and follow through on a project that involves research, education, and advocacy
Senior Seminar (12th Grade)
Our seniors meet weekly with Rabbi Kosak and educator/storyteller Brian Rohr for in-depth discussion, guest speakers, and exploration of a topic that the class together will choose.
Hebrew for Teens
We are eager to support continued Hebrew learning for our teens! With enough interest, we are happy to offer a Hebrew class for teens during Tichon; older teens are also welcome to join Machon Ivrit (modern Hebrew program for adults).
USY
Joining United Synagogue Youth is a great way for youth to expand their social ties, engage in fun activities, and gain youth leadership skills. USY meets for social, religious, and community service based activities, as well as regional/national conventions.
Israel Scholarships
A teen trip to Israel is a transformative experience and we encourage our young adults to take advantage of the opportunity for travel during high school or gap year. CNS is proud to partner with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland to offer scholarships through the Chai Israel program. All Jewish teens are eligible for funds through this program, and teens enrolled in Tichon receive an additional scholarship.
Information
- 2020-21 Tichon Calendar
(note – combined K-12 cal)
