Young Families

Temple Beth Tzedek offers a welcoming community for young families within Jewish Buffalo. From Tot Shabbat and Junior Congregation to religious school and United Synagogue Youth (USY), coupled with events for their parents, TBT is a fun place for your family.

Led by warm and dedicated clergy, as well as a Youth Education Committee co-chaired by experts in child education and learning, Temple Beth Tzedek is a congregation that nurtures a vibrant Jewish experience for young families and beyond.

Some of the opportunities for families include:

Pre-School/Elementary School

• Weekly Junior Congregation on Shabbat mornings offer a fun and educational experience for kids as well as the Machar youth group for grades K-4
• Monthly Tot Shabbat programs on Shabbat morning feature a joyous time for little ones
• PJ Library Buffalo Tot Shabbat events on Friday night in partnership with Buffalo Jewish Federation
• Monthly Ganeinu pre-school class within our religious school

Elementary/High School

• The Community Religious School, taught by veteran educators who are passionate about instilling love of Jewish knowledge, culture and experiences. The school has a PTA, frequent group outings and special events such as the annual Havdalah wine tasting to bring together parents in an enjoyable atmosphere.
• Machar (Pre) USY for grades 5-7 and USY (grades 8-12): Our congregation is a very active chapter within our Tzafon Region with monthly events and participation in regional Shabbatonim and USY’s international convention.
• TBT’s teens are also active in youth-oriented programs powered by Buffalo Jewish Federation’s Center for Jewish Engagement & Learning, as well as the synagogue’s Confirmation program.
• Jewish Camping is a key part of TBT youth culture. We have members who attend camps ranging from our local Camp Centerland day camp on the JCC campgrounds in Getzville to overnight adventures at Camp Ramah in Canada and Camp Seneca Lake, as well as teen programs including USY on Wheels, regional Encampment, and Eastern Europe/Israel Pilgrimage, among others. Thanks to Buffalo Jewish Federation’s camp grants, these experiences are becoming more accessible.
• From preparing for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah to their teenage years and beyond, our community welcomes youth participation in our services, from leading the Torah service to chanting Torah, reading verses from Megillah on Purim, and blowing the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah.

College

TBT mails care packages to our students away at college and helps connect them to Jewish opportunities such as Hillel and Birthright Israel. Our congregation also has close ties to Hillel of Buffalo, located nearby on the University at Buffalo North Campus.