Spirituality
www.SanTanSun.com
December 6 – 19, 2014
57
CTeen program begins at Chabad of the East Valley BY TRACY HOUSE
Jewish teens in the East Valley can join others at Chabad of the East Valley for the newly established CTeen program, a dynamic network of Jewish teens from all backgrounds. Co-youth director Faiga Lew explains CTeen is an outreach program for Jewish teens. “It’s a fun, positive experience, so they have a positive outlook toward Judaism and they get experience Judaism in a fun way.” Participants, who range in age from 13 to 19, do not have to belong to the Chabad center.
CTeen’s monthly program concentrates on three pillars: education, social and humanitarian. CTeen lessons explore monthly themes aimed at teen learning, socializing and exploring service through volunteering. The group will meet monthly with programs that bring teens together to give back to their communities and the environment, which includes trips and volunteerism, “It’s a safe environment,” Lew says. “In our day, it’s good for them to have positive experiences.”
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Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 21st at 10:30
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Lew anticipates the group will involve more than 30 youth. The first meeting was held Thursday, Nov. 20, with six teens (boys and girls) ages 13 to 15. “It went great,” Lew says. “Six kids showed up and a lot of other kids are hoping to show up the next time. There is interest, definitely.” The group met at the center, then played paintball in Tempe and enjoyed pizza. Participants do pay for the activities, and costs vary. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, and will be a Hanukah-themed event at the Chabad center. The kids will learn about Hanukah and enjoy activities. Each month will feature different activities. To sign up for activities, Lew suggests liking the group on Facebook. “We post on Facebook and then we email a text to the parents of the kids, whatever numbers we have,” Lew says. “Then they RSVP if they are coming.” Lew says there are other programs for kids who are not yet teenagers, such as Girls Night Out for Jewish girls ages 9 to 12. This group shares experiences, interests and goals, to build friendships with other Jewish girls in the community. The next meeting of Girls Night Out is 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The cost for this program is $10 per meeting. In addition to Girls Night Out, Chabad of the East Valley offers
CTEEN: Jewish teens from Chabad of the East Valley enjoyed an evening of paintball and pizza through the newly established CTeen Network at the center. Jewish youth, ages 13 through 19, are invited to join the program that meets monthly. Submitted photo
Hebrew School, Chandler Jewish Preschool, Kids in the KitchenInternational and Bar and Bas Mitzvah Training. Chabad of the East Valley is located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. For more information contact about CTeen, contact Faiga Lew at (480) 855-4333 or email youth@chabadcenter.com. To find the group on Facebook, search: “Chabad of the East Valley.” Tracy House is a freelance writer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.