The Youth Community at North Suburban Synagogue at Beth El is often referred to as BEANS. (Beth El at North Suburban Synagogue...no, we are not making this up!)




We run three youth groups for children in grades 3-12, as well as a College Connection program. Our goals are to help educate kids about Judaism and themselves in an informal environment and help them grow as Jewish individuals and foster lasting Jewish friendships.

We are concerned with Judaism as a religion, as well as issues of social justice, tzedakah, and the developing identity of our members.  Currently, our youth community has undertaken a special project of giving tzedakah known as the 1.5 Million Penny Project.  This project is intended to commemorate the children who were lost in the Holocaust.  Most estimates give that number as 1.5 million, and that is the number of pennies that our children have committed to raising in memory of those lives lost.  We have placed penny jars around our synagogue to collect the pennies and when we have reached our goal, the money will be donated to the Holocaust Memorial in Skokie. 

Participating in a youth group is one of the key indicators of an adult Jewish identity. Membership in our Youth Community is separate from membership of NSS Beth El.

Join today! Youth Membership Application

 Shalom Club is our youth group for kids in grades 3-5. We meet twice a month, once on a Saturday after services for an informal lunch and games including ga-ga! We also typically meet on a Tuesday night after Hebrew school for programs in the Horwitz-Hoffman Youth Lounge.

Kadima is our youth group for kids in grades 6-8. In addition to our local chapter, Kadima is an international organization affiliated with our region, CHUSY, and the youth programs of the Conservative movement. We have programs anywhere from 2-5 times a month, on Shabbat, weekend and weekdays before Hebrew school, both in and out of the building. Programs are planned by a board of Kadimaniks with the help of our Kadima advisor.

USY is our youth group for kids in grades 9-12. In addition to our local chapter, USY in an international organization affiliated with our region, CHUSY, and the youth programs of the Conservative movement. Programs are planned by a board of USYers with the help of our USY advisor.