The Levite JCC offers a wide range of youth engagement opportunities for Jewish teens, including BBYO, USY, and NFTY. Programming is focused on Jewish values, traditions, holidays, and Israel. Programming also includes social components to allow Jewish teens to get to know one another outside of a formal school or religious school setting. The J is a great place to create meaningful connections with peers and participate in activities designed for personal enrichment in a safe and welcoming space.
National Federation of Temple Youth
BIRTY, Birmingham’s local NFTY chapter, is housed at Temple Emanu-El and is part of the Southern Region NFTY.
United Synagogue Youth
SHUSY, Birmingham’s local USY chapter, is housed at Temple Beth El and is part of Hanegev Region and Ein Gedi Sub-Region. SHUSY hosts multiple chapter programs each semester and sends delegations to all regional events. For more information on USY contact Robbie Rothenberg with Temple Beth El.
BBYO
Birmingham is the home to two BBYO Chapters: Magic City BBG and Rabbi Abraham Mesch AZA. Both chapters are active at both chapter and regional levels, and invite 8th graders to join in January of each year. Magic City and Mesch are part of Delta Region BBYO. For more information on joining BBYO contact Sarah Weinberger.
JCC Maccabi Games
The JCC Maccabi Games are an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North America, and is the second-largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. The JCC Maccabi Games were first hosted in Memphis in 1982 with 300 athletes. The movement quickly grew, and due to overwhelming interest, multiple sets of games are now hosted each summer.
Today, about 6,000 teen athletes ranging from 12 to 16 years of age participate in the JCC Maccabi Games each summer. Teen athletes participate in Olympic-style opening ceremonies, home hospitality, sports competitions against other delegations, a day of Tikun Olam with JCC Cares, and nightly social activities. Participants have the chance to meet teens from Israel and around the world and experience an action-packed week.
- CONNECT with Jewish teens from all over the world
- COMPETE in friendly athletic competition
- RACHMANUS, practice compassionate sportsmanship
- TIKUN OLAM, repair the world with JCC Cares service Project
- AMIUT YEHUDIT, Learn about your Jewish identity from unique experiences that strengthen your connection to your friends, you community, and Israel.
Contact Team Birmingham Delegation Head Katie Hausman.
Counselor in Training (CIT)
The Camp LJCC Counselor in Training Program is open to all rising 9th and 10th graders. Selection is through an interview process. Please check out our Camp Staff page for more information.