Teens

A welcoming space for Jewish teens to connect, grow, and lead

SIJCC’s Teen Group offers a supportive environment for teens in grades 8–12 to explore their identities and the world around them. Facilitated by experienced teen educators, this group encourages young people to investigate what’s important to them by connecting them with their peers, discussing current events, and exploring their Jewish values.

To learn more, reach out to Natasha@sijcc.net.

People standing behind a wooden table with a blue and gold Israeli star of David design, a guitar leaning against the table, and microphones, during a ceremony or presentation.

Grades 8th through 12th

WHO?

18 Sunday evenings throughout the school year, approximately every other Sunday

6:30pm to 8:30pm

WHEN?

Primarily at SIJCC, with occasional gatherings in parks, homes, or cafes to suit the group's needs.

WHERE?

HOW?

SIJCC Family Membership required to enroll (Fee included in tuition)

Teens Team

Woman with glasses smiling, wearing a leopard print top, with a lizard on her shoulder, under a tent with a blue background.

  • Natasha Lake Newman is a seasoned Jewish educator and program leader with over 20 years of experience creating dynamic, inclusive, and joy-filled learning environments. A Los Angeles native, Natasha has dedicated her career to building strong communities through supplemental and informal Jewish education. She’s led everything from religious schools and teen programs to summer camps and family engagement initiatives, always centering her work on meaningful relationships, innovative curriculum, and the holistic needs of learners. 

    Her work is grounded in a deep belief that Jewish education should be joyful, identity-affirming, and rooted in real connection. Natasha’s educational philosophy centers the whole child and person, nurtures socio-emotional growth, and celebrates lifelong learning.

    Natasha is excited to bring her experience and warmth to the SIJCC. She currently lives in Pasadena with her animal sidekicks, Burrito and Saffy.

A woman with short dark hair smiling and holding her hands over her chest. She is dressed in white with gold and blue accents, and there is a lit candle in the foreground.

  • Rabbi Ye’ela Rosenfeld is a native Israeli who has lived in Los Angeles since 2006. She currently serves as Rabbi and Cultural Director at Der Nister - Downtown Los Angeles Jewish Center and officiates services and life cycle events for unaffiliated Jewish families all across Greater Los Angeles. She is also serving as Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park’s Director of Education and Community Engagement.

    Other than serving as a Rabbi, Rosenfeld is also a film and theater writer and director who is a Graduate of the MFA film directing program of the American Film Institute conservatory in Hollywood. She has directed films and theater in Israel, the Czech Republic and the U.S. Her films screened in festivals worldwide and won numerous awards. For the theater, she has directed the works of Vaclav Havel, Friedrich Durenmatt, Jean Paul Sartre and Howard Zinn. Rabbi Rosenfeld lives in Eagle Rock with her husband David and her children Ori and Libi. She is a passionate teacher and writer, and an unapologetic bookworm.

  • Tirosh Schneider (he/they) is an award-winning playwright, actor, comedian and educator. Their plays have been performed at various theatres around New York and LA, and their play Daniel: The He/They play won the 2022 NYU Goldberg Prize for Dramatic Writing. They are a member of the UCB sketch comedy team “Lasers” as part of Maude Night, and have performed regionally, Off-Broadway, and on television. They teach middle/high school theater, film, and human development at the Windward School in Mar Vista. They have a degree in Education and Playwriting from NYU, and have been teaching at the JCC since 2021.