Great Neck Synagogue Youth Department does all it can to ensure that Judaism will live on for future generations, while at the same time providing entertaining and pleasurable activities for its youth in a Torah environment. The Youth Department staff is composed of dedicated teenagers as well as trained professionals for our youngest participants, under the talented and dedicated leadership of our Youth Directors Rabbi Jensen, Dr. Mike and Morah Zehava. The Youth Department sponsors trips to basketball games, amusement parks, arcades and ski areas. Weekly events include a basketball league, gym nights and a soccer program. Youth groups begin at 10:30 a.m. for children ages three to thirteen followed by a Kiddush of juice, pretzels, cookies or ice cream. Weekly attendance on Shabbat mornings is in excess of 175 children. However, groups are kept small and the youth leaders make sure that all the children are given a chance to participate. In all of the programs, our most important goal is to make sure that each child feels a sense of belonging not only to the group, but to the larger Jewish community.
For particulars of schedule and locations of youth groups, please see below.
We have something for everyone!
SHABBAT MORNING PROGRAMS:
PRE-SCHOOL:
Preschool children play, learn about the parsha, and pray with their very own “GNS-Sing- Along Siddur” in a fun and organized environment.
Pre-groups (Ages 4-6) 9:00-10:00 Rooms 112 & 113
Mommy & Me Group 10:00-11:30 Room 110
Me without Mommy Group (ages: 2-4) 10:00-12:00 Room 113
Kindergarten Groups (ages 4-5): 10:00-12:00 Room 112
Kindergarteners engage in creative parsha activities, group games and Tefillah in a fun and organized environment.
GRADES 1-4
Elementary School (1st-4th grades)
Age appropriate Instruction in Shabbat and Yom Tov tefilot. Children listen to stories, learn about the Parshat HaShavua, and play games led by their youth leaders.
Grades 1-4 boys & girls: upstairs classrooms 10:00-10:30
Grades 1-2 boys & girls: downstairs lunchroom 10:30-11:15
Grades 3-4 boys & girls: upstairs classrooms 10:30-11:15
Grades 1-2 boys: gym 11:15-11:45
Grades 3-4 boys: lunchroom 11:15-11:45
Grades 1-4 girls: upstairs classrooms 11:15-11:45
Grades 1-4 boys and girls downstairs lunchroom 11:45-12:00
GRADES 5-8:
Middle school children are encouraged to attend the youth minyan. They are given an opportunity to participate as Torah readers and baalei Tefillah. After minyan, the youth enjoy Kiddush and snacks while they learn mishnayot and socialize with friends.
Grades 5+ and up: 9:00-10:30 Youth Minyan Braun Youth Center
Grades 6-8: 10:30-11:15 right side of Braun Youth Center
Grades 5-7 boys & girls: 11:15-12:00 left side of Braun Youth Center (lounge) and gym
8th grade & High School cholent kiddush 11:15-12:00 right side of Braun Youth Center
8th Grade-College:
Our youth minyan is headed by our youth who prepare the Torah reading and serve as the gabbaim. The minyan is followed by an “out of this world”, delicious, Cholent Kiddush coupled with Divrei Torah and socializing.
Friday Night Services and also for Saturday Seudat Shlishit: There are chldren’s programming and baby sitting services available.
Saturday Night:
There is always something exciting and cool going on with our Youth Motzei Shabbat. Check the weekly Shabbat Announcements for the latest activities (click HERE). There are also ongoing Youth classes.
