Home > Education > Religious School > Netivot: Upper School at Beth El
Teen years are a time of exploration, growth, and self-discovery. Netivot (Pathways) is Beth El’s reimagined Upper School program for 7th–12th graders—designed to meet teens where they are and help them discover where they’re going.
The word Netivot means pathways, and that idea is at the heart of our program.
We recognize that there is no single path for teens to engage with Jewish life. Each teen is asking their own questions, exploring their own identity, and navigating their own journey.
Netivot embraces this reality. Through multiple pathways of learning, experience, and leadership, teens are invited to engage with Jewish wisdom and tradition in ways that are meaningful to them, meeting them where they are developmentally, socially, and personally.
Along the way, they build deeper connections:
Our goal is not just participation, but belonging, ownership, and growth.
Netivot is intentionally designed around how teens grow and develop.
Rather than a traditional classroom model, the program:
We believe teens learn best when they feel known, when learning is relevant, and when they have a voice.
Through their participation in Netivot, teens will:
Netivot is structured around a developmental arc, supporting teens at each stage of adolescence:
Students begin to explore their personal values through a Jewish lens.The B’nai Mitzvah is reframed as the beginning of Jewish learning, culminating in a meaningful, values-driven mitzvah project and community showcase.
Teens explore the question: Who am I, and who am I becoming?
Through creative and experiential learning, they:
Teens connect values to impact.
Through philanthropy and service learning, they:
Older teens step into meaningful leadership roles within the synagogue community.
Opportunities include:
This stage prepares teens for leadership beyond high school, giving them valuable tools and experiences they will continue to build upon for years to come.
Through the Netivot Teen Board, teens play an active and instrumental role in shaping the program. Comprised of 2-3 teens representing each grade, the Teen Board will offer input on curriculum, work on initiatives to build community, and help guide recruitment and engagement. The Teen Board President will represent their peers by occupying a seat at the monthly Beth El board meetings.
Teens gain opportunities that support their lives beyond the classroom:
In addition to our regular program of core classes and electives, we provide a broad range of special programming for teens and their parents dealing with issues that impact their lives now or will in the near future. Past programs have included workshops on relationships with the Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, programs on social action with Jews United for Justice, and special speakers, such as Neil Lazarus and Scott Fried.
“I loved the activities—lots of fun!” “Being with my Beth El friends was the best part.
Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing offers adolescent girls the opportunity to gather on a monthly basis to learn, laugh, and grow as they explore the challenges and joys of their lives, sharing their thoughts and experiences, and accessing the wisdom from their heritage. We will gather for snacks, discussion, and a project related to the theme of the current Hebrew Month. Beth El currently hosts one Rosh Hodesh groups for sixth graders. For more information, please contact Allison Brown (abrown@bethelmc.org).
Tzelem brings together LGBTQ+, nonbinary, trans, and gender-expansive teens in a monthly group, facilitated b trained adult mentor, centered on affirmation, belonging, and Jewish identity. In a world that can feel isolating, Tzelem offers a space where teens are fully seen and supported.
Participants explore topics that matter most to them, from navigating school and family life to celebrating pride and resilience. Grounded in Jewish values and queer history, Tzelem helps teens connect with one another, deepen their sense of self, and build community that is both brave and caring. For more information, please contact Allison Brown (abrown@bethelmc.org).
