Madrichim Opportunities in The Gan

Students who have completed their 7th-grade year in The Gan become eligible for our Teen Leadership Programs. All of our teen leaders model our Jewish Values and take part in a variety of activities. Trainings for professional development will be offered throughout the year for all of our teen leaders who have completed their Madrichim Internship.

Participating in the Madrichim program is one of the most enriching experiences a teen can have. Our Madrichim program builds essential skills of resiliency, kindness, empathy, and relational literacy that last a lifetime! It is not only a great first job, it is a holistic learning and leadership experience. Therefore, all Madrichim are required to be enrolled in The Gan.

SUNDAY and WEDNESDAY Madrichim Internship 8th  

One of our primary goals for our 8th grade students is to foster the development of their grade level cohort. While the 8th grade year will be filled with many opportunities for learning, fun and preparing for being one of our amazing madrichim, this year is also a phenomenal way to strengthen connections with our 8th graders as individuals and leaders in our community. This internship is much more than just learning how to be madrichim, but how to be leaders, role models, and creative problem solvers in our community. These classes meet on Sundays during the Gan from 9:30-12:00 pm and on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm.  

Madrichim Interns will 

• Learn how to lead activities in and out of a classroom 

• Engage in cohort and team building through field trips, retreats, and activities 

• Work with the Rabbis and Learning team to learn new skills, engage in topical discussion, and connect with community partners around tzedek and social justice 

• Attend workshops with Project DVORA to develop skills around communication, relationship/friendship building, boundary setting and consent both in the classrooms and in life 

• Participate in classrooms with younger students, using the skills they learn in their classes and applying them 

• Develop their readiness to be a positive mentor, inspiring others in The Gan and in the community 

SUNDAY Madrichim Program 9th-12th  

Participating in The Gan’s Madrichim program is an amazing way to continue to develop your leadership skills both in and out of the classroom. Working as models and mentors for our younger Gan students, your role will be to help in the classroom, lead small group activities and games for students, and create an environment of joy and excitement for Jewish learning and identity. All of our madrichim must be enrolled in the Gan to participate and engaging in your own Jewish learning and identity building.  

Madrichim roles include: 

• Working in Pre-Kindergarten – 8th Grade classrooms on Sunday mornings and/or Thursday evenings 

• Helping lead music and t’fillah with students and in the sanctuary during The Gan  

• Working in the Office and assisting in administrative tasks such as student pick up, printing, filing, copying, lesson plan prep 

• Working in the Art room and assisting in distributing snacks, supplies, and prepping materials for projects and future lessons 

• Helping with retreats, field trips and events for youth throughout the year 
• Misc. Projects with clergy and office teams 

The Madrichim Employee Paperwork

After enrolling in The Gan, 9-12th grade families will receive a link to the Madrichim Application. We ask that students fill out this application before September 10, 2024. During orientation, Madrichim will be asked to fill out additional hiring paperwork.

Note: 8th-grade Madrichim Interns do not need to fill out an application or paperwork. Any Madrichim who are volunteering do not need to fill out anything other than the application and employee form. Any Madrichim who does not turn in paperwork will be considered a volunteer.

Teen Programs

9th Grade Changemakers: Tzedek in Action  

We’re excited to launch a new leadership, social justice, and tzedakah (philanthropy) program for TBA teens entering 9th grade. Together, we’ll make a real impact in our local Jewish community through a combination of experiential learning, direct action and creating grants to award to local organizations aligned with our Jewish values. Teens will get the hands-on experience of working as a collaborative board to award change-making gifts, and of course, connect to each other through joyful Jewish experiences. 

For the first time, we will also offer 9th graders the opportunity to travel with clergy and other TBA students to Washington D.C. as part of the Religious Action Center’s L’taken conference, to lobby Congress on issues that teens care about (optional, but highly recommended).  

9th Grade Students will: 

• Study and learn about the Jewish history and culture of philanthropy 

• Engage in opportunities to work with community partners 

• Participate in a board model of leadership 

• Gain hands-on experience in social action and social justice 

• Participate in the L’taken conference in January 

10th Grade Covenant Renewal  

Join us as we explore through discussion, discourse, and debate the roots and understanding of the Covenant, a central and binding force that holds much of Jewish life and practice together. In this class we will discuss and explore the central ‘Whys’ of Judaism; learn how much of the Judaism we’ve come to know is rooted in the promises we make to each other, to ourselves, and to the Divine; the different ways Jews of different backgrounds and levels of observance in the wider Jewish family came to be shaped and formed through various understandings of the same core concepts. 

Covenant Renewal Students will: 

• Participate in weekly classes with the Worship team including Jacob Glickman and Rabbi Ruth on Wednesday nights 

• Engage in deep learning as a cohort, addressing Jewish traditions, spiritual practices, and ethics connected to the modern day and historical context 

• Participate in projects and activities  

• Travel to Washington D.C. as part of L’taken to lobby Congress (optional, but highly recommended) 

• Lead the Shavuot Service for the community in the spring 

WEDNESDAY and SUNDAY Maimonides Moot Court 11th-12th  

11th and 12th grade students will spend the year working with clergy and faculty leaders exploring Jewish ethics and participating in the Maimonides Moot Court competition in New York in the spring. This is an amazing opportunity to have an empowering look at the inner workings of Jewish legal tradition. In the months leading up to the competition, students and their faculty and Rabbinic coaches will be provided a detailed case involving a contemporary ethical quandary and a sourcebook of relevant Jewish texts. This program culminates in a competition against Jewish students from the around the world in NY inspire rigorous ethical debate rooted in Jewish legal wisdom, providing students an international stage to engage the most significant challenges of our time.  

Maimonides classes will take place during the year on scheduled Sundays and Wednesdays with clergy including Rabbi Jesse and Gan faculty, as we know that not all 11th and 12th graders are available mid-week. A schedule will be sent out to enrolled students soon! Not all our students choose to compete, but all 11/12th graders are invited to come with us to New York. If you have any questions about this amazing program, please reach out to Reyna@templebetham.org.  

Have questions about teen opportunities in The Gan? Visit our Gan FAQ page!