Youth, Family & Teens

For Our Youngest Families

Thrilling Thursdays

Children ages 0-5 and their favorite adults come to CSZ weekly to play, sing, dance, read stories, and make crafts, with a little Jewish learning thrown in, led by Lindsay Mall and our clergy.

Young Families on Shabbat

Our vibrant community of young families connect with us at The Centered Service, our alternative service, appropriate for all ages, but with age-appropriate enrichment and activities. Rabbi Yoni Dahlen and song leader Devorah Fick, with occasional drop-ins from our other CSZ Clergy, make this an energetic, engaging and participatory Shabbat experience that meets every other Shabbat morning.

Every Shabbat morning, following the Sermon (approximately 11:30 a.m.) we welcome familes with young children for Shatots! The love of Jewish prayer, culture, and identity starts young, and that’s why we do too! Our Shatots service allows our littlest daveners to embrace the joy of Shabbat with singing, dancing, and stories perfect for babies, toddlers, and families.

At the end of services, they join our main congregation for blessings. We offer a kid-friendly Kiddish for all, and Shabbat lunch afterward (by advance registration), where the bonds of friendship are forged. (And in warmer weather, our tent goes up on the William Saulson Pavilion for services, playtime outside and Shabbat picnics).

Our youngest members, born each year, are celebrated on the second day of Rosh Hashanah with our heartwarming Tiny Treasures ceremony. Let us know if you have a child or grandchild to celebrate this year.

For Teens

Teen Talks

Regular learning sessions with the Rabbis, for students in grades 8-12. Explore topics as diverse as tattoos and piercings, video games and music lyrics, and discuss the Jewish take on what goes on in your lives. Come for refreshments and casual conversation! Watch our calendar for dates and topics, as well as outside experiences and opportunities just for our teens!

Tweens

Amazing activities happen monthly, on Sundays! Join us for pizza and drinks, video game trucks, escape rooms, sledding, ice skating, picnics, holiday parties and more!

Madrichim

Teen leaders in our Religious School guide and help tutor younger students, and receive additional training in Jewish leadership and mentoring. For more information, contact Ari Reis, Director of Youth and Family Learning, at areis@shaareyzedek.org or 248.357.5544.

Motor City USY (MCUSY)

Our local and award-winning chapter of United Synagogue Youth pulls together teens from all of the local Conservative synagogues in our area to create a powerhouse group of Kadimaniks (grades 6-8) and MCUSY (grades 9-12). Join them for team-building events, special Shabbatot, social action, regional leadership training, and more! Check us out at mcusy.weebly.com.