J-Teen Club
- January 12, 2016
- Posted by: Pincus Fund Staff
- Category: Informal Education

The J-Teen Club is the first program in Ulyanovsk to provide Jewish education for youth ages 13-16. It is comprised of two main components: Jewish learning, and social and recreational activities to attract the children. Participants meet on Sundays for 44 weeks of the year. Each Sunday’s program includes 45-60 minutes of instruction in Jewish Tradition, lunch, and an extracurricular activity. The program of activities includes crafts and visits to various cities in the Volga region. The curriculum includes observance of Yom HaZikaron and celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim. Israel is emphasized in many different ways, throughout the year.
In June, teenagers attend a Shabbaton, which is preceded by a 3-week course about Shabbat. The Shabbaton includes youth from at least one other city. Lectures and workshops focus on Shabbat, but informal sessions encourage questions about anything connected to Judaism.
The project includes a one-week trip in July, to Moscow and St. Petersburg. The visit includes a daily class session both in the morning and in the afternoon. Participants visit sites connected to the Jewish community, as well as other sites which they will see “through Jewish eyes”. The visit includes a Yom Iyun, one full day of learning.
It is hoped that the teenage graduates of the project will continue their community affiliation through participation in the local Youth Club (for youth and young adults beginning at age 16), and in other activities of the Ulyanovsk Jewish Community.