Purpose
USY High - Lounge & Learn
It has always been a top priority of our synagogue to overlap the Religious School and Youth Department whenever it most benefits the education, socialization, and participation of our Youth.

Six years ago, the Religious High School and the United Synagogue Youth program joined forces. Our Education Director and Youth Director combined their two agendas and created an evening that would draw ALL of our kids, not just those participating in lounge night or enrolled in a class. The program, "USY High - Lounge and Learn" began. The program has been very successful. Our post Bar and Bat Mitzvah students have a return rate of 90%, and approximately 60-70 students attend each week.

USY High takes place once a week on Wednesdays. The evening begins with dinner followed by a core class (8th,9th,10th Grades). Following class the participants will join in an elective. Electives range from the study of Talmud to Israeli Dancing. These electives give our USY'ers the opportunity to get a taste of a subject in which they have an interest, in a setting that is informal, easy to ask questions and visit with friends.

Core Classes
8th Grade Confirmation - Context for Identity
Students will seek to find a context for their Jewish identities by studying some of the historical highlights, great personalities and traditional texts of Judaism. This course will also include discussion on ethics and values, beliefs and observances, and the meaning of Jewish identity today.

9th Grade Confirmation - Challenges to Identity
Students will explore the many challenges to Jewish identity. They will discuss Jewish ideas and values, study Judaism's texts, and consider current events. This course will help 9th grade students to see how Judaism fits into their own daily lives and can influence their choices.

10th Grade Confirmation - Confirmation to Identity
Students are invited to spend the school year looking carefully into the ethical, spiritual, and historical truths of Judaism and Jewish philosophy. In study and discussion, these students will come to understand how their Jewish beliefs can be an integral part of who they are, who they can become, and what they believe.
 
 
Electives
The elective portion of USY High will give the participants the opportunity to learn about something that is of interest to them in an informal environment. Electives may include:

Talmud Israeli Dancing Jewish People in the News Krav Maga Cooking Jewish People in Sports Media and Torah Values

Synagogue Service Social Action Kippot Making Video Creation and Production Drama Music And More!!

11th and 12th Grade Seminars
Junior (11th Grade) Seminar will take place the first Wednesday of the month from 8-9 p.m. Topics covered in these seminars will range from contemporary Jewish issues, planning for college, and even career choices. Guest speakers will address the participants. A letter will be sent out to all 11th grade students at the end of the summer with all of the dates and topics for this year.

Senior (12th Grade) Seminar will take place the second Wednesday of the month from 8-9 p.m. and will cover topics that are relevant to the life of a senior in high school. Topics may include: Jewish life on campus, writing college admission essays, contemporary Jewish issues, personal values and lifestyle choices, and being an adult. A letter will be sent out to all 12th grade students at the end of the summer with all of the dates and topics for this year.