|
|
January 9, 2004/Tevet 15 5764, Vol. 56, No. 16
Teen time
Chabad offers program for high school students
LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor
Phoenix Mayor-elect Phil Gordon lights the menorah at a Dec. 24 Hanukkah party for Chabad of Arizona's Mishmar teen program. Also pictured is Rabbi Laibel Blotner, program director. Gordon was inaugurated as mayor on Jan. 5.
Photo courtesy of Rabbi Laibel Blotner
|
Each week, about 25 high school students gather at Chabad of Arizona for a variety of Jewish experiences.
One week the co-ed group could learn about the work of an anti-missionary; another week they could hear a Holocaust survivor's story. Each evening also includes time to socialize, a chance to win a raffle and refreshments.
During Hanukkah, two weeks before he was inaugurated as Phoenix mayor, Phil Gordon stopped by to celebrate the holiday with the teens. The group presented Gordon with a silver menorah as a gift. The celebration also included a Hanukkah trivia game, latkes and live entertainment.
About 25 teens participate weekly, with larger turnouts - about 100 - at holiday events. Past events have included a Lag B'omer bonfire and a Sukkot barbecue and sukkah party.
When the teens arrive each week, they receive a raffle ticket and at the end of the evening win prizes - such as tickets to sporting events. Occasionally, if a block of tickets is donated, the teens go to games as a group, Blotner says.
Participants are mainly high school students, both from the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School and Phoenix and Scottsdale public schools. There is no charge to participate.
The program began five years ago as an after-school program for students of Chabad's Phoenix Preparatory High School. After the school closed in 2002, Blotner decided to continue the program. "It's a chance to give the kids something enjoyable that's a Jewish experience (and) a chance to meet Jewish kids," he says.
The Chabad Mishmar Program meets 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Chabad of Arizona, 2110 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix.
Call Blotner, 602-674-0067.
|
