Jewish Education and Youth Programs

JFGI is pleased to announce that the BJE Maurer Jewish Community Library has reopened its doors and re-enrolled in The Indianapolis Public Library (IndyPL) Shared System! Rejoining the IndyPL Shared System enables the library to offer patrons access to a wider variety of books and allows for IndyPL delivery of any book to the campus. The broader community also benefits from the library’s reopening as all IndyPL patrons now have access to the Jewish Community Library's extensive collection of Judaic Studies, Hebrew, and Jewish children’s books.

The reopening of the BJE Maurer Jewish Community Library at the JFGI Education Center would not have been possible without the assistance of volunteers led by the new Library Coordinator Marcia Goldstein. These volunteers, along with support from JFGI and IndyPL staff, continue to invest energy into updating the library and making it more accessible to patrons.

Some exciting features of the library include a new children’s corner that was renovated last spring by community teens and now houses over 300 new PJ Library children’s books. The library has also greatly expanded its Hebrew literature offerings and has reorganized other nonfiction materials to make them more accessible.

Starting November 1, the BJE Maurer Jewish Community Library will be open: Mon. and Thurs., 10 am–2 pm Tues., 1–4 pm

If you would like to use the library for a program The new children's corner was just renovated by community outside of those hours, special arrangement teens and now houses over 300 new PJ Library books. can be made by contacting nprice@jfgi.org. Stay tuned for library events and other announcements in the coming months!

Chai Mitzvah learning circles are off and running. Five informal Jewish study groups have formed with more groups starting later in the year:

• Beth-El Zedeck

• Beth Shalom

• Chai Mitzvah Teens - JFGI

• Jewish Community Center

• Marquette Manor

• Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (starting Winter 2019)

Each group meets monthly to engage in peer-led text study and relevant Jewish learning. If you are looking to partake in meaningful conversations and meet members of the community, Chai Mitzvah learning circles are open to anyone willing to commit to attending nine sessions over the course of the year.

If you would like to participate in a community group or start your own Chai Mitzvah learning circle, please contact David at dheilbron@jfgi.org.

The inaugural Youth Philanthropy Indianapolis (YoPhI) Teen Board kicked off their year with a Parent/Teen orientation just before the start of Sukkot. In the Sukkot spirit of welcoming, Teen Board members gathered under the sukkah for a festive start of the year and to discuss the bounty of values that will shape their philanthropic efforts this year.

It was also announced that the YoPhI program will be partnering with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. Teen Board participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Lake Institute upon completion of the program and will receive training and resources from the Lake Institute throughout the year.

The YoPhI Teen Board’s Z’man Simchateinu (Time of Rejoicing) continues even past Sukkot as they prepare for the Fall Retreat at GUCI in November. The teens will select their philanthropic mission for the year and prepare to collect grant requests later in the year.

Sun., Nov. 4: BBG Cyclebar Fundraiser

Sat., Nov. 10: Indy Fall Fest

Sun., Nov. 11: BBG business meeting

Fri., Nov. 30: AZA Shabbat dinner

Interested in being involved in BBYO? Contact City Director Roz Knapp at 317-614-1840 or indianapolis@bbyo.org.

Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC) offers :

• Small Chai (grades K-2) has an event each month. Parent-led and -involved.

• Rishonim (grades 3-5) continues building Small Chai relationships through socializing and social action. Parent-led and -involved.

• JIFTY (grades 6-8) plan their own activities.

• IFTY (grades 9-12) is youth-led, -planned, and -executed.

Questions? Contact IHC Youth Director Lea Coleman at 317-255-6647 or leac@ihcindy.org.

Sun., Nov. 4: IFTY board meeting

Sat., Nov. 10: IFTY laser tag event

Sun., Nov. 11: JIFTY board meeting

Sat., Nov. 17: Rishonim goes to Gleaners; JIFTY event

Sun., Nov. 18: Small Chai pottery painting event

Sun., Dec. 2: IFTY board meeting

Sat., Dec. 8: Congregational Chanukah

Sun., Dec. 9: JIFTY board meeting

Don’t know what youth or teen programs are out there or which program is right for you? Let JFGI help! Contact David Heilbron, Director of Youth Philanthropy & Connection, at 317-715-6974 or dheilbron@jfgi.org.