Our 5th Grade and 6th Grade ‘Tween’ Youth Groups (TWYG) encourage the formation of social networks with other Congregation Beth Torah students. Through involvement in these groups our students have the opportunity to create a peer-based Jewish community. A Parent Committee of 8-10 families from each grade plans activities during the school year. Though these activities are primarily social, some also involve Judaic programming through worship or education. Dues are $10 per year. In the past, these groups have enjoyed activities such as Laser Tag, a Chocolate Seder, bowling and LOTS OF pizza. Click here for TWYG News

Beth Torah's Juniour Youth Group (JYG) is for all 7th and 8th graders.  Monthly programs will be held during the school year.  JYG advisors are Zach Swibelman and Hannah Michelson.

Click here for JYG News

Beth Torah Temple Youth (BTTY), our youth program for 9th - 12th grade students, helps these teens become informed, active, committed adults who will contribute to the future of Judaism. BTTY is affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) and is part of NFTY’s Missouri Valley Region, including Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and part of Illinois. 

When you join BTTY, you become a member of the Missouri Valley Region and of NFTY. Dues are $35 per year. BTTY is supervised by our volunteer Youth Group Advisors who report to the Youth Activities and Education Committee and the Religious School & Youth Group Director, Marcia Rittmaster (mrittmaster@beth-torah.org). 

BTTY Advisors are Aaron Nielsenshultz (ololon@gmail.com).

BTTY elects officers and board members each year who take the lead in planning and executing BTTY programs, with the assistance of the adult volunteers. The BTTY President holds a place on Beth Torah’s Board of Trustees and BTTY members serve on the congregation’s standing committees. BTTY is a very active group and has won many regional programming awards. Programs and meetings are held about twice a month and are planned by the teens. Most programs have an educational component in addition to social activity. 

Additionally, these teens participate in many social justice projects throughout the year. BTTY members have the opportunity to travel to different communities within the region for Chavurot (weekend conventions) several times each year.   Click here for BTTY News

Families with children in 5th – 12th grades received a form with their July dues statement to enable them to pay youth group dues for their children.  We hope everyone will want to join our 5th grade TWYG, 6th grade TYWG, Junior Youth Group – JYG (7th & 8th graders) and/or Beth Torah Youth Group - BTTY (9th – 12th graders).  Youth group opens up the possibility of meeting other Jewish teens from all over the Midwest.   Dues are very “affordable”, ranging from $10 a year for TWYG and JYG dues to $35 a year for TYG dues (which includes regional and National dues as well as local).  This is a time when it’s right to follow the crowd.