Jewish Youth Programs

Chaverim is a community-wide Jewish middle school youth program. Youth in grades 6-8 meet several times a year for social programs.

York’s BBYO (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization) chapter is known as Morton B. Krechmer and is part of CRE (Central Region East). BBYO is a worldwide organization for Jewish youth in grades 9-12 to develop leadership skills, a positive Jewish identity, and a commitment to personal development. The group meets regularly for meetings, Tzedakah projects, local activities, and regional conventions.

 Check out the national BBYO website!

International Maccabiah Games
   The Maccabiah Games take place every four years as Jews of all ages and backgrounds convene to share their culture, their history and their values... and they compete in athletic events in Israel.
   The Maccabiah movement, named for Judah Maccabee, was initiated in 1895-96 when the first all-Jewish Maccabi gymnastics club was formed in Constantinople. By the end of World War I, more than 100 Maccabi-style clubs existed in Europe. The first Maccabi Games, featuring 13 countries and 300 athletes, was held in 1932. The Games have been a quadrennial event since 1957.
  
JCC Maccabi Games
   The JCC Maccabi Games' offer the opportunity for 13-16 year olds to come together to celebrate their Jewish culture while competing in athletic events in different cities throughout the United States.
   Similarly structured to the Olympic Games, teens from places such as Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Mexico, Argentina, and Israel participate in athletic competitions during the day and enrichment and social activities in the evening.
   As part of the week's enrichment programming, each delegation is asked to bring new school supplies that are distributed to area schools needing assistance. The athletes also participate in the Day of Caring and Sharing which highlights community projects and encourages athletes to assist their own community in the areas of hunger, illness, social change, animal advocacy, the elderly and environmental issues.
   The athletes arrive in York to practice with the team before departing for the national games. This gives the York teens a unique opportunity to hear about Israel, to experience its traditions, and to interact with young Israeli athletes right here in their own backyard.
         Visit the national JCC Maccabi Games website for more information.

Junior Maccabi Games
   A Junior Maccabi event is held each spring which allows Jewish youth ages 10-12 to get a hands-on look at what to expect when they qualify for the JCC Maccabi team.

JCC Maccabi ArtsFest
   JCC Maccabi ArtsFest is designed to inspire Jewish teens through a dynamic combination of workshop, performance, exhibition, community service, social activities, and fun to develop their individuality through the medium of artistic expression while strengthening their bonds to their Jewish heritage, community, and Israel. Teens may participate in one the following art disciplines: classical ensemble/orchestra, computer graphics, creative writing, dance, jazz ensembles, radio broadcasting, rock/pop band, theater (acting or musical theater), vocal music, visual arts, and photojournalism. Participants have the opportunity to meet and learn from highly regarded professional artists-in-residence from all over North America who conduct Master classes throughout the week and help the group develop a work of art that relates to the theme of the week. After a full week of workshops, social events, learning, and growing, the final night includes performances from every art discipline and is something you should not miss!
          Visit the national JCC Maccabi ArtsFest website for more information.

Panim el Panim: The Jewish Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values
   Panim el Panim is Hebrew for 'face to face.' Since 1988, 16,000 teens from more than 200 communities have traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in Panim el Panim. Each seminar brings together diverse groups of 10th-12th grade students from around the country to explore public policy and social activism through a Jewish lens. Also, teens participate in Tikkun Olam ('Repair the World') projects by bringing supplies to the area homeless. About 1,000 participants each year meet with Members of Congress and their staff, hear from policy experts, enjoy Washington's national monuments and historic sites and return home knowing that they have the power to make a difference! 

Teen Council

Teen Council is a committee of teen leaders in York County who are dedicated to creating and running programs and teen concerts for all York County teens. The group meets every few weeks to plan upcoming events. Join us for our Annual Battle of the Bands and our seasonal teen concerts!
If you are interested in being part of this committee, please contact Robert Korn.