.... Youth Activity |  Scholarships | CALENDAR

Teen Educational Programs at Ahavath Achim (2011-2012)

Taglit Atzmi: Journey of Self-Discovery

8th Grade: Jewish Immigration to America | 4 day Trip to NYC: 5/31–6/3, 2012

Students will study about Jewish immigration to America beginning in 1654 and the reasons individuals and families chose to immigrate.  We will learn about the immigrant experience, establishing community, the reasons for assimilation (or not) and the impact Jews have had on American society.  CLASS DATES:  2011: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/13, 12/11, 2012: 1/8, 1/22, 2/12, 2/26, 3/11, 3/25, 4/22, 5/13

9th & 10th Grades: The Southern Jewish Experience | 4 day trip to New Orleans: 5/31-6/3, 2012

Students will study about the Southern Jewish experience beginning in late 1600s and early 1700s.  Though they are less than 1% of the general population, and less than 5% of America’s Jewish population, Southern Jews have made significant mark on the communities in which they lived and continue to live.  We will discuss the roles of Southern Jews in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement as well as business and politics.  We will investigate the relationship between Jews in the South and their neighbors and how the Jewish Southern experience may differ from Jews in other parts of the country.  CLASS DATES:  2011: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/13, 12/11, 2012: 1/8, 1/22, 2/12, 2/26, 3/11, 3/25, 4/22, 5/13

Youth Activity | Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details/RSVPs

Machar ||| January 22, 1:00PM - 2:30PM | Laser Tag @Sandy Springs Funhouse | RSVP by January 20

Machar (Grades 3-5)

Machar, the Hebrew word for “tomorrow,” is our beginning youth group. Machar meets once a month from October through May. Macharniks get a sample of what the older youth groups do by participating in activities that cover athletics, religious education and social action. The purpose behind Machar is to get the fifth and sixth graders accustomed to the Youth Department and to help them form friendships that will last through their years in the youth groups. To register your preteen for Machar, click here.

Kadima (Grades 6-8)

Kadima, the Hebrew word for forward, gets kids involved in the Youth Department. Kadima meets once or twice a month. Their programs provide a broad mix of social, religious, educational, and social action programs to prepare the youngsters for what they will later experience in USY. The Kadimaniks are able to attend conventions that involve Kadimaniks from all over the Hanegev Region. To register your teen for Kadima, click here.

Madrichim Program (Grades 8-12)

During the coming year teens will have an opportunity to become a Jewish Role Model (Dugma) for students much younger. As a tutor you will work with students in a variety of settings: one-on-one, small group and entire class. Madrichim will assist teachers in Judaics, Tefillah, Trope, and ZIP Havurot. Students with interest in special education or administrative work will have the opportunity to help in these areas as well.

As a tutor, you will receive compensation along with the satisfaction of serving your synagogue community. We have openings on Sundays, Wednesdays and Shabbat. Religious School meets on Sunday from 9:00AM – 12 noon, on Wednesdays from 4:30PM – 6:30PM. and Junior Congregation meets on Shabbat from 10:30AM – 12 noon. As a madrich(a), you will earn between $8.00 and $20.00 for every Religious School session worked. You may receive your wages as salary or earn an extra 15% by applying your earnings as a credit for a USY convention, Camp Ramah or Israel Experience.  You may also choose to apply your time worked to Community Service Hours.

New to our program this year will be Madrichim Training Sessions which will enable you to socialize with your friends as well as learn about good classroom management skills, develop leadership skills, write lesson plans, learn to educate small groups of students and gain knowledge about how students learn.  

The first Madrichim Training Session is scheduled for August 28, 2011. The first day of school is September 11, 2011.

USY (Grades 9-12)

USY, United Synagogue Youth, is our senior youth group. USY meets once to twice a month with each event offering a spectrum of programming that covers all aspects of USY from athletics to religious services. Our chapter, Chai USY, has recently reconvened after a five year hiatus, under the leadership of Ilana Ander and Sarah Spielberger and the supervision of our Youth Director, Summer Jacobs.

Social Action is a very important part of the Chai USY experience. Religious programming is rich in its spiritual and educational value. Jewish culture also plays a central role in the USY experience. Some of the best Jewish musical groups have performed for USY.

By the time the teens leave USY and our Youth Department, they should be confident and capable Jewish leaders. To register your teen for USY, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 404.355.5222 x236.

Youth Group Registration: 
Don't forget to sign up for an exciting year of Youth Groups (Machar, Kadima and USY)! Interested in becoming part of the Madrichim Program (teenage classroom aides)? To sign up, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 404.355.3508.

Scholarships 

2012 Summer Scholarships Available!
Applications Due February 15, 2012. | Is Your Child Going To: Jewish Camp? Israel? Travel Program? Merit and Need-Based Scholarship Funds are available through Ahavath Achim Synagogue:
--Ahavath Achim Scholarship Fund
--Isadore and Esther Alterman Scholarship Fund
--Sonia and Michael Bock Scholarship Fund
--Rabbi Harry & Reva Epstein Scholarship Fund-- Sisterhood
--Rabbi Arnold Goodman Scholarship Fund-- Sisterhood
--Alvin and Gary Greenberg Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund
--Steven Karlan Scholarship Fund
--Elissa Hydee Levine Summer Leadership Scholarship Award
--Ben & Bess Rice Memorial Fund
--Leon Steinberg Memorial FUnd
--Berry & Joseph Zelman Scholarship
Download and complete application or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | 404.603.5748 for more information.

AA Synagogue offers subsidies and scholarships to encourage participation. Download a scholarship application here.

Camp Experiences | While the Preeteens and Teens programming year ends in June, the Conservative movement offers many exciting Jewish summer experiences. Ahavath Achim Synagogue supports all of these programs and believes that all of our youth should participate in them. Sisterhood and the synagogue offer subsidies and scholarships to encourage participation. To download a scholarship application click here.

Israel Experiences | AA Synagogue offer subsidies and scholarships to encourage participation. To download a scholarship application click here.

Camp RAMAH | Experience a fun week of Jewish living at Family Camp. Adults enjoy relaxation, recreation, and exciting classes taught by Jewish educators while children participate in camp activities led by the fabulous Ramah Darom staff.  Click here for more information.