Teens in grades 8-12 were invited to hear from and talk to two Penn State Hillel students about the Hillel experience at noon on April 17 at Congregation Brit Shalom. Parents were invited to attend as well.

Congregation Brit Shalom Teens, or “The Jew Crew,” visited Out of the Cold: Centre County (OOTC) for a Mitzvah project on December 5. The teens brought donations, got a tour of the shelter and learned about homelessness in Centre County. At the event the group decided they want to keep giving back to OOTC by bringing a meal every month. The teen group will begin this project in January 2022. Teens and adult volunteers/chaperones interested in helping out with monthly meals may contact Marjorie Miller, Director of Religious Education and Youth Programming, at Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com.

A Teen Sukkot Dinner, hosted by Marjorie Miller, Director of Religious Education and Youth Engagement, was held on Friday, Sept. 24 inside the synagogue's Sukkah. A dinner of stuffed cabbage, Kugel, fruit salad, Challah, pizza and dessert was provided. During the dinner, Marjorie led a discussion on Sukkot, and the teens each had a turn waving the Lulav and holding the Etrog, and saying the blessings for each. Dinner was provided by Becca Thorsen, Eleanor Schiff, Marjorie Miller and Salua Kamerow.

State College teenager Madeline Krentzman (a member of our congregation) launched a project last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting food insecurity that she saw in her community. Now, nearly 10 months after the State High junior first began Bake with Love, Krentzman’s hard work is paying off with the launch of the initiative’s first fundraiser, the “Bake with Love” cookbook.

The books are for sale on Madelines website. They are also available for purchase in The Makery, Ten Thousand Villages, The Cheese Shoppe and The Nittany Quill.