Youth Groups

Shalom, Haverim!

We are writing jointly to the families of all of our students in grades 8 and higher regarding the possibility of re-establishing a chapter of B’nai Brith Youth Organization here in Altoona, drawing from both Agudath Achim Congregation and Temple Beth Israel. We’ve been approached about this by the new director of the Keystone Mountain Region based in Pittsburgh, who is trying to reach out into smaller communities in the area.

BBYO would provide us with a structure both for getting our own kids together for social gatherings and community engagement, and for having events for our students to attend regionally and nationally to meet Jewish peers from other cities. It would build social and community components onto the engagement we currently have with the students in our religious and educational programs.

In order for us to create a chapter, we need at least twelve students to commit to become members, and these students must be in high school or in the second semester of 8th grade in spring semester 2012; we would be looking at full participation by the fall of next year. We also are looking for a parent who would be willing to volunteer as chapter advisor, spearheading local programs and coordinating logistics to get our students to out-of-town events.

If you are interested, we need to hear from you. It’s not a commitment to go to every single event – only to be listed as a member of our chapter. Please let one of us know, either at rabsaudrey@gmail.com or at RabbiWohl.aac@verizon.net.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Josh Wohl
Agudath Achim Congregation

Rabbi Audrey Korotkin
Temple Beth Israel