Wanted: 8th and 9th Graders for New Fall Teen Programs

The COVID-19 stay at home orders and school closures disrupted many programs and plans for Jewish teens in the Boulder area. Two signature programs of the Boulder Jewish Teen Initiative (BJTI) were able to continue online for the remainder of the school year and recently finished out the year. The experience of getting teens together online has opened up some new thinking and options for the fall. Even though there is much unknown about what will happen with the school year, BJTI Educator Tzuria Malpica has put together several options for teens to continue their connection.

“There is a lot we don’t know. We might start the year completely online and then be able to work up to a hybrid model. When it is safe to do so we will be meeting in person, back on our regular schedule, but until then we have some options,” Malpica said. Before the global pandemic both programs met at the Boulder JCC on Tuesday evenings from 5:00 – 7:00 pm for dinner followed by activities or a speaker.

NaviG8 is a unique program that brings together Jewish 8th graders to make new friends and grow together. We explore topics affecting teens like personal identities, peer pressure, and the transition to high school in a fun and low-pressure environment. NaviG8 is designed to help teens grow into more resilient young adults.

The Re:Fresh program is for 9th graders and is open to all Jewish teens whether or not they participated in NaviG8. Re:Fresh will provide social opportunities for teens to connect regardless of what high school they go to or youth group they are involved with. Re:Fresh follows the same foundations as NaviG8 but gives the 9th graders more opportunity to lead their peers and shape the curriculum for the program.

If you are interested in learning more about the programs or how BJTI is thinking about options for online and in person gatherings in the fall, please join us for information sessions on Sunday, June 14. If that day and time don’t work for you, please reach out to Tzuria.Malpica@boulderjcc.org to set up an appointment.

8th Grade program Sunday, June 14 | 5:00 – 6:00 pm | REGISTER HERE

9th Grade program Sunday, June 14 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm | REGISTER HERE