Frequently Asked Questions About Yachad

What is Yachad?
Yachad is a supplemental Jewish high school program that replaces our current post-Bnai Mitzvah educational program. It is a joint effort of the participating synagogues and the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. Students will explore what it means to be Jewish and to "do Jewish" with other Jewish teens from a variety of backgrounds.

Which synagogues are planning to participate?
Currently, we have commitments from the following Sacramento area synagogues: Temple Or Rishon, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation B'nai Israel, Mosaic Law Congregation, and Kenesset Israel Torah Center. Other synagogues as far away as Davis, Stockton, and Reno have expressed interest. Yachad will take the place of the post-Bnai Mitzvah educational programs at each of the participating synagogues.

Who will attend Yachad?
Jewish teens in grades 8 through 12 from all over the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothills will attend classes at Yachad. Most students will be affiliated with one of the participating synagogues; we seek to have unaffiliated students join us, as well.

Who will teach at Yachad?
Yachad will seek to attract the finest educators from the greater Sacramento area Jewish community. Students will have the opportunity to explore a multitude of Jewish topics with rabbis and teachers from different Jewish denominations.

When and where will Yachad classes be held?
All Yachad classes will meet at the Federation campus, 2351 Wyda Way in Sacramento. Yachad will meet for two hours one evening a week, during which students will take two 1-hour courses. The day of the week hasn't been finalized yet.

Why is Yachad a good idea?
By working together, we can build a program much stronger in academic rigor and much broader in scope than any of us can provide for our students individually. Yachad students will make friends with other Jewish teens from all over our geographic region and from diverse Jewish traditions in a setting of mutual respect.

What kinds of classes will be offered?
Right now, the curriculum is being developed. We envision that the students in each grade level will take one core class and one elective. More information about the curriculum will be posted here when it becomes available.

What about Confirmation?
Currently, we envision that each synagogue's Confirmation class will be taught by that synagogue's own rabbi as part of Yachad's 10th grade program. For example, Or Rishon's 10th graders will all be taught together by Or Rishon's rabbi, and they will celebrate Confirmation together in our sanctuary as in the past.

How will Yachad impact our existing youth groups and activities?
Yachad will support our youth group and our youth group, in turn, will support Yachad. More friends, more travel, more Jewish study, more leadership opportunities... what's not to like?

How much will Yachad cost?
The cost for students to attend Yachad will be comparable to what we pay now for Or Rishon's post-Bnai Mitzvah educational programming.

Who can I call for more information?
For more information about Yachad, please call Tama Goodman, Yachad's Director, at (916) 486-0906 ext 302, or e-mail her at tgoodman@jewishsac.org