At the end of the long hallway leading to the religious school, nestled among the books, boxes and computers, Erica Bern is busy with youth and family programming.  A recent graduate of NYU, Erica has accepted the newly created position as Director of Youth and Family Programs. This new, full time position was created in order to respond to the growing presence of younger families and teen-aged children at CBS-CS. Rabbi Rachel Ain has long felt that it is important to create a strong “youth community” at the synagogue because if the kids are involved and comfortable in shul life, they will feel be able to enjoy Judaism and Jewish life. Additionally, parents are looking for a way to get more involved in supporting their children’s Jewish growth and we are happy to provide a professional partner at the synagogue to help in these endeavors. Erica is responsible for all informal programs such as Kadima, USY, outreach to college students, and family holiday programs. She will coordinate the high holiday Junior congregation programs and work closely with Ruth Kurlandsky, CBS-CS’s religious school program on a sukkot sleepover for our younger children.

Throughout her high school and college careers, Erica has been particularly involved in social action activities and brings a multiplicity of ideas to our community. She was a youth coordinator for the Jewish Community Project Downtown called NYC Mitzvah corps where she engaged 8th and 9th grade students in hands on community service and Jewish learning. She ran a Purim carnival for underprivileged elementary school students from Queens, NY. She was very involved with Hillel at NYU and served as the social action chair for both KOACH, the Conservative group on campus, and Hillel at large. She recently returned from Israel after spending 10 tens on Birthright. She is looking forward to bringing her experience to CBS-CS.  Erica has a unique talent for creating programs embedded in Jewish tradition; and fun for children and families of all ages.  “I’m really looking forward to the coming year; I can’t wait to meet everyone and start getting to know families and children in the area.  I have a lot planned for everyone ages 0-22!”

In the few weeks that Erica has been here she has staffed Babies at Beth Sholom and organized a night at the Rosemand Gifford Zoo with over 30 in attendance. There are many activities planned for the coming year including Maccabia Games, an Awesome ‘80’s Karaoke and Dance Night, and a Hawaiian Luau and a trip to New Orleans to do rebuilding of areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Erica is a member of the Jewish Youth Directors Association and will be joining CBS-CS USYer’s when they attend Encampment; the end of the summer USY program that will be held at Camp Ramah in the Pocono’s. Please give Erica a call at 701-2685 or email her at youth@cbscs.org to extend a personal welcome; and to receive further information about upcoming events.