Youth Activities

Congregation Brothers of Israel is proud to participate with four other area synagogues in social activities for Jewish youth from 3rd grade through High School.  

For 5th, 6th & 7th graders

Our Kadima group participates in one or two events a month. Kadimaniks also enjoy a variety of activities that promote socialization, Jewish culture and pre-teen interests.

USY is piloting a new opportunity for connection, leadership, and education exclusively for young Jews of Color, Indigenous Jews, Sephardi Jews, and Mizrahi Jews across the country. Together, these groups will develop leadership skills, hear from JOCISM speakers who are making a difference in diversity, equity, and inclusion in their communities, and unpack their intersectional identities using Jewish themes and values. Most importantly, they will develop bonds with other JOCISM youth from near and far.  The application is now open! Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis with a preference for applications received by August 31st. CLICK HERE TO JOIN

The inaugural cohorts will be led by Rafael Forbush, Youth Director of Beth Jacob Congregation in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and Founder of the Multiracial Jewish Association of Minnesota. There will be two separate cohorts - one for 6-8th graders, and one for 9-12th graders. The cohorts will meet virtually once a month beginning in September. There is no fee to participate. Interested teens should apply by August 1st. ​​​​​​​CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE  If you have any questions, please contact Rafael at forbush@usy.org.

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Jewish Peer Leadership Program Now Accepting Applications

Princeton, NJ, March 2021 — Gesher LeKesher, a program of JFCS, partially funded by the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, is currently accepting 11th and 12th grade teens (as of the 2022-2023 school year) to participate in Gesher LeKesher, a Jewish peer leadership program.

As Gesher "Madrichim" (Peer Leaders), teens lead a group of 7th - 9th grade
"Talmidim" (Learners) in outreaches addressing trending topics from a Jewish perspective includ- ing friendships, the impact of social media, peer pressure, healthy dating relationships and ad- dressing anti-Semitism on campus.

This is a great opportunity to develop leader- ship skills which can be used in college and beyond while meeting and working with other Jewish 11th and 12th graders in the Greater Princeton Mercer Bucks area. Last year's Peer Leaders represented 7 area high schools.

Gesher LeKesher meets 6 hours each month-2 Monday Night Trainings from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm and an additional Outreach time either Monday/Wednesday Night or Sunday Morning.

For more information, please visit
www.jfcsonline.org/gesher-lekesher/ or con- tact Celeste Albert at 609-987-8100 x210

ATTENTION COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS

Two college scholarship opportunities are available to Jewish students who reside in the Princeton Mercer Bucks community.

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer is offering book awards to college bound Jewish students. Facilitated by Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) of Greater Mercer County, the scholarships are award- ed based on financial need and students must be accepted and enrolled in a college or university for the fall semester.

Application Deadline: June 2022

The Dr. Esther Wollin Memorial Scholarship Fund offers monies from Dr. Wollin’s estate which were designated to grant a college schol- arship. Eligibility is limited to Jewish female full-time students who will be, or are already at- tending Rutgers University and raised by their Jewish mother in a single-parent household in the Princeton Mercer Bucks Community. Eligibility is based on financial need.

Submission Deadline: June 2022

For more information, visit https:// www.jfcsonline.org/scholarships-internships/ or contact Joyce at 609-987-8100 or JoyceW@JFCSonline.org.

CBOI Scholarship Information Kessel-Young Memorial Scholarship

The Kessel-Young Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in June 1976 by Ida Kessel and the late Joseph Kes- sel in memory of their parents, Lena and Louis Kessel and Do- ra and Louis Young.

A scholarship will be awarded to a member of our Congregation graduating from high school, on the basis of need, to further the student’s education.

Applicants must be “hard workers” who will benefit from this assistance. The intent is to encourage students to continue their education. Academic excellence is not a criteria for this award.

In establishing this special Fund, the Kessel Family has recognized that awards are usually made to outstanding stu- dents in either sports or academic work. All too often, many students who show promise and are willing to work are denied assistance. To receive an application for the Kessel-Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, contact the Synagogue.

George S. Weiner Religious School Scholarship Fund
The George S. Weiner Religious School Scholarship Fund has been established to aid youngsters from Congregation

Brothers of Israel to attend the Rabbi Howard Hersch Religious School. Scholarships will be given out based on need. Contact the CBOI office for information.