Leadership Opportunities
Madrichim (8th-12th grade): The Madrichim program provides opportunities for teens to build leadership skills, plan activities, and create connections within the community. Madrichim serve as role models, teachers, and synagogue leaders, bringing youth programming to OKC children ages preschool through 7th grades.
Madrichim may choose to support our Alvin Browdy Religious School program, our Shabbat morning youth programming, and/or our youth High Holiday programs. This year we are inviting teens to participate in specialized training using the Matan Institute for Teens curriculum, which is designed to equip madrichim to work in an inclusive setting, and help them fill a critical role in the community.
Fill out the application for the 2024-25 year HERE.
Madrichim may receive SSL hours, and those in high school may choose monetary compensation. Students completing the Matan curriculum will receive an additional $2/hour.
Schmutz Busters (3rd-8th grade): Schmutz Busters are OKC’s composting crew who are in charge of keeping our community composting and trash free. Our 3rd-8th graders will supervise composting efforts during Shabbat afternoon kiddush by keeping watch over what should be composted and what shouldn’t. After a training session, 6-8th graders will be able to receive SSL hours for their service.
Teen Education
Tzohar: This program for students in 8th - 12th grade combines classical Jewish education with an introduction to college-level Jewish Studies coursework. Participants in this Sunday evening program experience two distinctive approaches to Jewish Studies, with an hour of traditional text study, and another hour of coursework with faculty members from the Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies at University of Maryland. Click HERE for more information.
Teen Beit Midrash: This is OKC's Thursday night teen education program for students in 8th-12th grades. Teens have the opportunity to connect meaningfully with the Jewish traditions’ texts and concepts, and to develop relationships with Rabbi Corey Helfand and to one another. Click HERE for more information.
Tovanot: Generating Insight and Understanding, Building Community Resilience is a program that utilizes a dual-narrative approach to understanding the political environment of Israel and building empathy towards it. Tovanot encourages a rigorous understanding of Israel and its significance to Jews and Israelis, alongside a concern for Palestinian lives and narratives. Click HERE for more information.
Social Events
Friday Night Lights (8th-12th): A few times a year, OKC teens come together to bring in Shabbat! Teens lead Kabbalat Shabbat, enjoy a catered dinner, and participate in a fun program at a teen family's home.
Interested in hosting? Please contact Meirav Steinlauf.
Mitzvah Scholars and Hesed Corps
Mitzvah Scholars (5th and 6th grade): As our young people prepare to celebrate their b’nei mitzvah, the Mitzvah Scholars family education program is part of their learning experience as they get ready to celebrate this milestone simcha (joyous occasion). This program is facilitated by Cantor Labovitz, Rabbi Helfand, and OKC staff.
Mitzvah Scholars usually involves a once-per-month commitment during the school year in 5th and 6th grades. About six times per year, these sessions take place from 9:00 - 10:00 am on Shabbat morning at Ohr Kodesh. Parents are encouraged to attend, as our classes are enriched when students and parents are in dialogue with each other. For more information, contact Hadas Barak.
5th Grades Mitzvah Scholars Dates 5785
6th Grades Mitzvah Scholars Dates 5785
Hesed Corps (7th and 8th grade): The b’nei mitzvah journey continues with Hesed Corps. Our 7th and 8th graders come together for hesed projects (acts of loving kindness) participating in social action learning and projects to support the OKC community and the wider Montgomery County community. Hesed Corps meets periodically on Sunday mornings from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm during the school year, and may include off-site projects.
Click HERE to see the dates for 5785.
Fri, April 18 2025
20 Nisan 5785
Upcoming Events
Meet Our Teen Engagement Associate
Meirav Steinlauf joined the Ohr Kodesh community in the summer of 2023 as the leader of our Shabbat morning program for 3rd and 4th graders, the Next Dor Minyan; a 6th grade teacher in the Alvin Browdy Religious School; a substitute for the Early Childhood Center; and as a facilitator for children’s programming of all ages over the past year.
Meirav is thrilled to be the new Teen Engagement Associate. With a bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Temple University, Meirav has been a Jewish educator in Hebrew schools and camps since 2013.
She has a passion for building the next generation’s connections to Judaism and community, and she loves working creatively with people to form relationships with others with a passion for Judaism.
Meirav is an advocate for Jewish, queer, and disability rights. She loves art, theater, and makeup, and is the proud cat-mom to Delilah!
