New Year, New Programs at JTConnect - Where Learning is Social!

New Year, New Programs at JTConnect – Where Learning is Social!

(Greater Hartford) –Service learning and flexible scheduling are keys to how 6th-12th Graders learn at  Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JTConnect) in the 2013-14 school year.

JTCares: Teens Making a Difference

New this year for 8th-12th Graders is JTCares, a series of community service opportunities held once a month on Sunday afternoons. Located throughout the community, teens will meet from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for lunch followed by some learning and a social action project. Community service certificates will be awarded for each program. Projects include working with the homeless, the elderly, and a special needs community. JTCares enables teens to be part of something bigger than themselves, raises social awareness and fosters civic responsibility. The first program "A Home of Their Own: Homelessness" will be held on Sunday, September 22nd.

JTCentral: Monday Nights

Monday nights at Beth El Temple are open to everyone in grades 8-12 and feature courses that allow for flexibility even for the busiest teen. 5 terms will be offered this year with themes ranging from exploring ideas of Jewish identity, community and tradition to Judaism and the arts. Each term runs for 6-7 weeks, allowing teens to work Jewish learning into their schedules. Courses meet weekly on Monday evenings in West Hartford from 7:00 – 8:40 p.m. Teens learn about Judaism from some of the best teachers in our community.  There's something for everyone at JTCentral.

JTWOW!: New Offerings and Old Favorites

WOW (WithOut Walls) is what you’ll say at these special one-day events for Jewish teens in grades 8-12. This year, new events will include a trip to the Adventure Park in Storrs, CT on Columbus Day (Mon., October 14) and a trip to New York City (Sun., November 10). And, enjoy these programs from the last few years: Hanukkah Party Bus Scavenger Hunt (Sat. evening December 14), Shabbat Woks (Fri., March 21), and J-Serve (Sun., May 4). These programs are open to everyone in the community.

Just For Girls

Girls in grades 6 through 9 can participate in our Rosh Hodesh:  It’s a Girl Thing! program. JTConnect will offer 3 “RoHo” groups this year. RoHo is a values-based, experiential and trans-denominational Jewish program designed to strengthen self-esteem and Jewish identity in preteen and teenage girls. These groups meet monthly on Sundays in participants’ homes. In addition, JTConnect, working with Beth El and the Commission on Jewish Education and Leadership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford will offer Gurlz J.A.M, a series of 4 programs for 6th, 7th and 8th Grade girls and their moms.

Special Registration Night

All JTConnect programs are open to any teen in the Greater Hartford community. Join us at our Registration Extravaganza on Monday, September 9th, 7-8:40 at Beth El Temple in West Hartford or contact the JTConnect office at 860-727-6110 or office@jtconnect.org to register for any of our programs or visit our website at www.jtconnect.org for more information.

 Jewish Teen Learning Connection is a learning and social community that offers a rich experience for teens, enhancing their connection to Jewish heritage, traditions and values. The program is designed for students in 6th through 12th grades. Synagogue membership is not required.