WBTY (Wilshire Boulevard Temple Youth) 2024-2025
Yearly WBTY Membership (grades 7-12) is $750.
Yearly WBTY Membership for teens in our Madrichim program (grades 9-12) is $600.
WBTY membership entitles students to participate in any, some, or all of the high school programming offered. Once a registered member, teens have access to all of our WBTY teen programming. (Non-temple members may apply for a synagogue youth membership for an additional $250 per year).
Program Options
WBTY
WBTY7 (Grade 7)
7th grade students only attend once a month. We offer the WBTY7 program on all three campuses. Students choose one campus to attend. They can choose either:
When we thought about 7th grade and considered what we want our students to experience, we realized that at the core, our primary goals are (and always have been) to give them the space to fall in love with being Jewish and to feel part of our/the Jewish community. Not only that, but they should do that on their own terms!
That’s why next year’s seventh-grade program will highlight our student voices as we engage in small group discussions over brunch/dinner (depending on what campus you attend). Each month, we will offer a variety of topics, and students will have the opportunity to decide which topic they want to discuss. The choice is theirs!
These conversations will be led by skilled and thoughtful educators, and our favorite clergy members! The WBTY7 program transitions students from our weekly Religious School program to our thriving WBTY Teen program.
WBTY (Grade 8)
WBTYWednesday
- Meets twice a month on Wednesday at the Irmas Campus from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
WBTYWednesday is the ideal place for teens to unwind in a fun, energetic, and social space. Each session will offer dinner, socialization, engaging and meaningful programming, and time with the WBTY staff and WBT clergy.
Wilshire BBYO
- Meets twice a month on Sunday at the Glazer Campus from 12:30- 1:30 pm
Be part of something new and exciting! We are thrilled to be starting our own chapter of BBYO (B'nai Brith Youth Organization). BBYO is a thriving pluralistic Jewish teen movement that engages Jewish teens in meaningful Jewish experiences. There will be chapter-specific meetings and events, as well as regional events to get to know teens from all over L.A.
Rosh Hodesh/Shevet/B'Yachad
- Once a month at participants' homes, typically Sunday afternoons
Led by a trained facilitator, students meet once a month in person (typically hosted in a rotation at participants' homes) with the group of their choosing to discuss the experiences of being a teen today. Groups typically meet on Sunday afternoons once a month. Rosh Hodesh (female-identifying), Shevet (male-identifying), B'Yachad (non-binary, gender non-conforming, trans, gender fluid)
WBTY (Grade 9-12)
WBTYWednesday
- Meets twice a month on Wednesday at the Irmas Campus from 6:00 - 8:00 pm (usually the first and third Wednesday of the month)
WBTYWednesday is the ideal place for teens to unwind in a fun, energetic, and social space. Each session will offer dinner, socialization, engaging and meaningful programming, and time with the WBTY staff and WBT clergy.
Wilshire BBYO
- Meets twice a month on Sunday at the Glazer Campus from 12:30- 1:30 pm
Be part of something new and exciting! We are thrilled to be starting our own chapter of BBYO (B'nai Brith Youth Organization). BBYO is a thriving pluralistic Jewish teen movement that engages Jewish teens in meaningful Jewish experiences. There will be chapter-specific meetings and events, as well as regional events to get to know teens from all over L.A.
Madrichim
- Available on Sundays at all three campuses from 8:30 - 12:15 pm or Wednesdays from 3:45 - 6:45 pm at the Resnick Campus
Madrichim play an active, vital role in our Religious School by working as teaching assistants in the classroom and in other school capacities. Madrichim are placed in classrooms, working with students in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade. Hebrew skills are not required to participate in the Madrichim program. As well as actively assisting a Religious School teacher and class, Madrichim gain communication and leadership skills, increase self-confidence, and express and promote Jewish values, and develop many practical skills that apply to future jobs. This is a paid honorarium position and may also go towards community service hours! Madrichim must apply and be accepted to participate in the program. If you're interested in applying for the Madrichim program, please email our youth engagement coordinator at szacky@wbtla.org.
WBTYNetwork
A mentorship program where WBTY teens are paired with a Wilshire Boulevard Temple congregant who shares their professional goals and interests. Teens and their mentors will meet on their own time throughout the course of the school year—minimum 3 meetings required. Teens complete a questionnaire about their interests and passions to assist in the matching process.
Rosh Hodesh/Shevet/B'Yachad
- Once a month at participants' homes, typically Sunday afternoons
Led by a trained facilitator, students meet once a month in person (typically hosted in a rotation at participants homes) with the group of their choosing to discuss the experiences of being a teen today. Groups typically meet on Sunday afternoons once a month. Rosh Hodesh (female-identifying), Shevet (male-identifying), B'Yachad (non-binary, gender non-conforming, trans, gender fluid)
Travel (Grades 9-12)
L.E.A.D. Advocacy Trip to Sacramento with the Jewish Center for Justice
Open to students in grades 9-12, trip in the spring (date TBA)
A day trip to Sacramento where our teens will discover their power to be effective advocates and a voice for justice. They will advocate on issues they are passionate about and meet with state political leaders. There will be three pre-trip sessions to prepare.
L’Taken Social Justice Seminar to Washington D.C.
Open to students in grades 10-12, and highly encouraged for students participating in Confirmation. Date TBA (typically in February)
A four-day event designed to help Jewish teens discover their power to be effective advocates and a voice for justice in the nation’s capital. It’s informative, educational, and so much fun, with lots of time to explore D.C. and make friends from across North America! The trip usually takes place in February. Exact dates will be announced in the fall.