The Story of Kesher…
Kesher means connection. Kesher is where teens CONNECT to our Jewish community, to Jewish learning, to Israel and with one another. Kesher is a joint high school program which brings together 7th - 10th grade teens from Congregation Beth El, Temple Beth Sholom & Congregation Beth Tikvah for weekly learning and communal growth. We seek to build connections amongst the students, faculty and the many facets of the South Jersey Jewish community. With a curriculum rooted in the foundation of Jewish tradition and culture, Kesher classes are taught by our clergy and experienced faculty members. Here, Jewish teens will connect and immerse themselves in an environment that promotes a social, experiential and educational atmosphere. Let's not forget, it's so much fun!
Kesher sessions take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:30PM-8:30PM starting at Temple Beth Sholom and transferring to Congregation Beth El in the second half of this school year (2025/2026).
In addition to Kesher, each synagogue will have their own "Home Shul" programming which allows the teens to continuously engage with their home synagogue. Please speak with the faculty and clergy of your respective synagogue for more information on synagogue-specific programming.
In addition to all of the great learning that happens in the classroom, Kesher teens can participate in fun social programs and field trips that bring them together outside of class time to make meaningful memories with their friends in the Kesher community.
Kesher Evenings
Tuesdays, 6:30PM - 8:30PM
Core Classes - 6:30-7:10
Tuesday evenings begin with core classes experienced with each student's home synagogue. These classes are taught by faculty from the respective synagogues and follow a curriculum determined by each with specific grade-based learning that happens throughout the course of the year. Examples of this are classes in Humash, Holocaust and Antisemitism Studies, Jewish Ethics in the 21st Century and more.
Dinner - 7:10-7:30
After core classes, Kesher students gather together for a short dinner where they enjoy a delicious meal, hang out with their friends and play fun games with our faculty and staff.
Elective -Style Class Rotations - 7:35-8:15
After dinner, students are be placed in class cohorts together (based on friend requests) and each week learn about a different Jewish topic taught by our talented faculty. Students rotate through each class over the duration of the semester or year and will get to experience a lesson in each topic developed by our faculty.
Here are some examples of the interesting rotation topics we have covered in the past:
Jewish Arts and Culture
Jewish Law and Ethics
Jewish Cooking/Baking
Fortune Cookie Talmud
Tikkun Olam: Healing the World
Israel Exploration
Jewish Diversity
Jewish Humor
Jewish Mysticism and Stories
All-Kesher Closing - 8:15-8:30
Students will rejoin as a whole group at the end of the evening to close the session with games, guest speakers, Tefillah and more.
Kesher Core Classes
2025/2026 - 5786
Temple Beth Sholom Core Classes
7th Grade: Humash: Making the Torah Text Come Alive
Teacher: Alex Weinberg & Michael Rau
8th Grade: Jewish Ethics in the 21st Century
Teacher: Keren Shahar Gafni
9th Grade: Hatred, History and Healing: Exploring the Holocaust and Modern Anti-Semitism
Teacher: Jason Landau
10th Grade: Confirmation: G-d, Israel and Our Community
Teacher: Rabbi Bryan Wexler
Congregation Beth El Core Classes
7th Grade: Moving Traditions - Etgar: Partnership with G-d
Teacher: Stacy Heyman
8th Grade: History of the Holocaust
Teacher: Dr. Yonaton Yares
9th Grade: American Jewish History (First Semester)
Teacher: Jacob Boyd
Heroes of Israel (Second Semester)
Teacher: Mira Aumiller
10th Grade: Confirmation Seminar - Exploring Ethical Issues/Pirkei Avot
Teacher: Rabbi Sam Hollander
Congregation Beth Tikvah Core Class
7th-10th Grade taught by Rabbi Pamela Gottfried
Dinner and Break Times
Kesher dinner and break time is a great opportunity for teens to bond with their friends, enjoy delicious food and engage in fun activities and challenges. Each week, we offer a full, catered dinner with dessert and the menu varies week to week. All food served at Kesher is certified Kosher and nut sensitive. We also offer food options that are gluten free, vegetarian and dairy free (when applicable).
Past dinners have included chicken nuggets and French fries, Kosher Chinese food from Cherry Grill, Pizza and Salad, Baked Ziti and Mac n Cheese, Falafel and Schnitzel and many more! Dinner and dessert menus are sent to families in the Kesher Weekly newsletter. Our dinner and snack times are planned out and facilitated by our Kesher program coordinator, Adina Boyd please contact her if you have any questions regarding meals or allergy information.
The extended break time also gives Kesher teens time to get involved with some more structured activities and programs planned and facilitated by our Kesher Assistant Director, Zoë Arking, Kesher Director, John Imhof and Kesher Teen Engagement Coordinator, Jacob Boyd.
Kesher to College
Pre-College Learning for 11th and 12th Grade Students
A new joint program for High School Juniors and Seniors at Temple Beth Sholom and Congregation Beth El
Tuesday Evenings, 6:45PM-8:15PM
Throughout the school year, 11th and 12th grade students will join together for three seminars highlighting important topics that will help prepare students to continue their Jewish journey in college and beyond. Each seminar will span over three class sessions and will focus on topics such as Zionism and Israel, better understanding our story as Jewish people and Jewish life on College Campuses. These sessions will take place at whichever synagogue Kesher is located for the semester and will include a full dinner for participants.
In addition to these joint sessions, both TBS and Beth El 11th and 12th graders will have classes with their peers at their respective synagogues throughout the year. For more information about those synagogue specific sessions contact Rabbi Micah Peltz (TBS) or Rabbi David Englander (Beth El).
Joint Session Schedule: 2025/2026 - 5786
Tuesday, October 28th at Temple Beth Sholom
Tuesday, November 11th at Temple Beth Sholom
Tuesday, November 18th at Temple Beth Sholom
Tuesday, January 13th at Temple Beth Sholom
Tuesday, January 20th at Temple Beth Sholom
Tuesday, January 27th at Congregation Beth El
Tuesday, March 10th at Congregation Beth El
Tuesday, March 17th at Congregation Beth El
Tuesday, March 24th and Congregation Beth El
Contact us
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