Youth Groups

We take great pride in our youth and we offer programs to achieve a strong involvement and commitment to our synagogue. We are affiliated with the International United Synagogue Youth (USY) and we provide programs for our youth from K through 12th grade through:

Simcha Gang is our youth group for our children entering grades K-2 and Wayne's Jewish World is for those children entering grades 3-5. Events bring the children together to have a fun/social time with each other - sometimes with Jewish content - sometimes secular. Programs have included movie nights, arts & craft events, petting zoo, decorating the sukkah, roller skating, cookie bakes, father child breakfasts, rock climbing, swim parites, pajama parites, playing games, and much more. Of course, there is always food! There is no fee for belonging to Simcha Gang. Annual dues for WJW are $36. We are proud to say that every child who attends ends up having a great time! We hope you will give your child another way to make new and lasting friendships and to enjoy their Jewishness.

Simcha Gang (Grades K - 2) The Simcha Gang is our Kindergarten through 2nd grade youth group. This group meets 5 or 6 times a year and gives the kids an opportunity to meet in the synagogue and participate in Jewishly related activities in an informal setting. The Simcha Gang activities are often related to Jewish holidays, Israel, etc., and they always include food and lots of fun. It is a great way for our Kdg-2nd graders to have their first experience with a youth group and to have a warm, fun feeling in the synagogue.

Wayne's Jewish World (grades 3-5)
Wayne's Jewish World is our 3rd-5th grade youth group. Wayne's Jewish World meets about once a month at the synagogue. Members of Wayne's Jewish World pay dues and then participate in all of the activities for free, or kids can attend and pay on a meeting to meeting basis. Each month there is a different activity, some are holiday related and others are social such as movies, board games, sports activities, etc., all of which allow the 3rd-5th graders an opportunity to socialize with Jewish friends in the synagogue. One of the goals of Wayne's Jewish World is for the kids to enjoy coming to the Shul and participating in fun activities with their friends. Another goal is to acquaint them with our youth group program and hope they will continue on as they enter middle school.

Kadima (grades 6-8)
Kadima is our middle school youth group and the first group that is connected with the New Jersey Region. This means that not only do the middle schoolers attend meetings and activities at our synagogue, but they also can participate in Regional activities such as dances, conventions, game days, etc. This provides Kadimaniks with the opportunity to meet friends from all over NJ and realize that they are part of a larger Jewish community. Kadima meets twice a month at the synagogue and provides an opportunity for Jewish kids to spend time together. Kadima has a very full calendar of events, including social programs, holiday activities, social action projects, trips, etc. Kadimaniks pay dues which entitles them to attend all meetings, both chapter and regional, but all middle school kids are encouraged to come to our meetings at the synagogue and see what we're all about. Kadima is a wonderful way for Jewish kids to connect with each other and with their Judaism.

USY (United Synagogue Youth) (grades 9-12)
USY is our high school youth group. USY is an international youth organization and Wayne USY is a chapter that is part of Hagalil, the Northern New Jersey Region. Wayne's USY chapter has been growing every year and has a wonderful reputation in the region for the quality of its programs and its members. USY has a very full calendar of events that cover all aspects of its program; social, social action, Israel, religious and Tzedakah. The chapter meets twice a month at the synagogue and there is generally a regional dance or convention each month for the USY members as well. Attending Regional activities enables USYers to make friends with other Jewish High School students from all over NJ. Many USYers attend the International convention each December and participate in the USY summer programs which solidifies their connection to a much larger Jewish community. USY provides a terrific opportunity for Jewish teens to interact with each other, and for them to learn leadership skills, develop lifelong friendships and share their connection to Judaism and Israel.

For more information, please contact us or view our upcoming events in more detail. Current signup and application forms can also be found on our upcoming events page!