Registration now open for 2025-26!
Teen-tastic new programs at CNS!
There’s always something new around the corner in our teen programs! Check out our new staff, teen trip, Madrichim roles, and Tichon programs below!
Tichon
7th-12th graders stay engaged in Jewish learning and social life through our ALIYAH Tichon (high school) program on Wednesday evenings. Teens come for dinner together and stay for learning and conversation in classes that they choose and help decide.
This year’s program options:
- A Taste of Jewish Culture–Cooking, eating, and discussing foods from around the Jewish world.
- The Golem Project: Power, Protection, Projection, and Peril—explore the long, strange history of the Golem through stories, graphic novels, video, discussion, and creative projects!
- AHHHH Jewish Monsters!— an exploration of Jewish myth, magic, and monsters through Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, and more.
Hebrew for Teens
With enough interest, we offer a Hebrew class for teens during or separate from Tichon; older teens are also welcome to join Machon Ivrit (modern Hebrew program for adults).
Teen Madrichim
Up to 30 teens each year participate in a paid internship program, assisting our ALIYAH teachers in working with K-6th graders and gaining leadership skills through a teen leadership seminar. This year, we are expanding the program. We’ll have a corps of teens working with our Youth Specialist leading Youth Activities for our younger children. We love our teen Madrichim!
Youth Activities
We have a new, vibrant Youth Activities program for social, spiritual, and active connection. Monthly activities from Sukkot social action projects to Chanukah parties to Teen Talking circles.
Meet our NEW Tefilah and Youth Specialist!
Megan Bernstein will be leading our Youth Activities program—watch for a whole new calendar of activities!
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.
