St. Louis Jewish Youth Groups

Youth groups help teens connect with other Jewish teens, and Judaism itself. A youth group is an organization of young Jewish teens, for social purposes and spiritual needs, under the sponsorship of synagogues or Jewish community centers. Learning about Judaism with other teens brightens the experience much more. Not only do you make friends but you also grow spiritually.

People meet lifelong friends when involved in youth groups. “I’ve met some of my best friends through NFTY, which is the National Federation of Temple Youth,” Liz Solomon, Ladue senior and NFTY member, said. Being a part of a youth group brings many people with similar heritage close to both their peers and their religion. “I’ve been able to feel closer to G-d as well as get to know a lot of Reform Jewish teens that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” said Solomon.

“NFTY, to me, is a massive like-minded community, a way to meet new people and to feel like you just belong,” Marquette junior Josh Bohm said.
NFTY has helped Reform Judaism come alive for more than seventy years. Currently, over 750 Reform congregations are a part of NFTY, thus bringing the experience to many high school students. Coming from a historic tradition including Jewish and non-Jewish European youth actions, the North American Federation of Temple Youth encourages leadership at the national, regional and congregational level.

Connect, Inspire, Empower are the key words of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, which is a modern Orthodox Jewish youth group. NCSY connects Jewish teens through innovative social and recreational programs to develop a good Jewish identity. Block Yeshiva High School junior Sara Esrig explains, “NCSY brings so many Jews together to understand and learn about their background and heritage.”

NCSY inspires Jewish teens through Jewish education, retreats and summer programs. It powers teens through leadership development and guidance to become devoted leaders of the Jewish community provide a positive change and redemption. ”It brings the Torah to all different backgrounds of Jews in a cool and fun way,” said Esrig.

In United Synagogue Youth, a Conservative Jewish youth group, teens are the leaders. USY is more than a youth group; it’s a place to awake religion without the restrictions of a service, it’s a place to find what kind of Jew you really are; it’s a place to have fun with kids who are going through the same thing you are; USY is a home away from home.

“USY is a safe place where Jewish kids can be themselves,” says Mital Lyons Warren, a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School. “We are like a big family.”

Another youth group is the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. Jocelyn Orloff, head of BBYO in St. Louis County, explained the benefits of BBYO. “As an alumnus of the program, I have seen the benefits of being involved in BBYO first hand. It was through BBYO that I made friends around the world, became a leader, and had opportunities to travel to Bulgaria, Israel, and Poland. BBYO is a unique place where teens can grow as leaders and Jewish individuals while having the best time of their life.”

Youth groups offer a chance to make lifelong friends, develop leadership skills, and develop their Jewish identity. Whether you are Orthodox, Reform, or Conservative a youth group will give you a chance to grow and learn with other Jews and bond while doing so.

“It’s such a great experience to be a part of a youth group because everyone shares a religious commonality, and it’s easier to bond with your peers: I’ve met some of my best friends through NFTY,” said Bohm.

If you haven’t already, take advantage of the youth groups in the St. Louis area – they could change your life.

-Marla Zimmerman