Or Tzion Youth Program

Or Tzion Youth Program

An inclusive Jewish Youth Group where you can be yourself and connect with your Jewish community.

OT Youth is a part of the Or Tzion Community. We have two youth groups; Kadima for 3rd-6th grade and OT Teens for 7th-12th grade. There is also a USY component available for OT Teen which is optional.

Kadima – 3rd-6th grade- This is a fun program that often meets after religious school on Sundays for quality time with your Jewish friends having fun, doing community projects, playing Gaga, learning, and laughing. Sometimes we will meet off campus at fun locations around the valley (This year we will meet at Gecko’s Climbing Gym, Ice Den, KTR, and more) all with the goal of getting together and enjoying the Jewish community.

  • March 29th-31st 4th-6th graders, and 7th graders who would like to help lead programming will be eligible to attend a retreat at Camp Stein with a Maccabia theme. This retreat will include the other conservative Synagogues from AZ, and NV.

Or Tzion Teens- 7th-12th grade- A fun program that gives our teens space to embrace their Judaism through socialization, education, community service, and participating in the Or Tzion Community. Events will be at least once a month with encouraging options to participate in other local events and join together with other local groups throughout the year.

  • 7th-12th graders are invited to attend the Turnaround Trip to Universal Studios September 2nd-4th

  • 9th graders will meet the last Wednesday of every month either in the lounge or off campus

United Synagogue Youth (USY) is an International organization that provides opportunities for Jewish youth in grades 3-12 to express themselves as Jews and explore their Judaism within a social environment. Here at Congregation Or Tzion we continue to have a USY component for: Chaverim (Grades 3-6), Gesher USY (Grades 7-8), and USY (Grades 9-12) to further provide social action, education, religious, leadership skill-building, fun, engaging social activities and opportunities. 

  • The Far West Region has two overnight regional programs for the 2023-2024 calendar, one at Camp Ramah Ojai January 26-28 and Regional Convention location TBD May 24-27th.
  • Within the chapter of Far West co programming will occur starting with a Leadership Shabbaton at Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin, CA October 27-29th for 7th-12th grade

For more information about Or Tzion youth programming, Kadima, and Or Tzion teens, contact our Youth Director Sarah Bochenek at  youth@otaz.org.

Click here to sign up for the Youth Program.

Click here to sign up for our Youth Group emails

To check out upcoming Youth events, please click here to view the Or Tzion calendar.