Swampscott Marblehead Area Reform Temple Youth, or SMARTY, is the Temple’s youth group. We meet every Thursday night for Lounge, which is a place where you can come and simply be yourself. The venue of Lounge alternates every month (October, December, February and April at Temple Emanu-El; November, January, March and May at Congregation Shirat Hayam, Swampscott) We meet in the Youth Lounge from 7:00pm- 9:00pm (at both venues). At lounge we offer you the chance to chill out, play video games (Wii, PS2, Xbox), listen to music, do homework and eat some good old fashioned nosh!
As well as Lounge, SMARTY is very active in participating in North Shore Teen Initiative (NSTI) events. Most recently SMARTY members took part in Project Adventure, an outdoors team building program that was set to challenge those who wanted to be challenged.
Together with the Shirat Hayam youth group, YAiSH, SMARTY will be holding various special events. Already in the works are trips to Laser Quest, the Improve Asylum, snow tubing (with Peabody) and many more to come. You just have to watch this space!
SMARTY is also an affiliate of NFTY (National Federation of Temple Youth), a department of the Union for Reform Judaism, and through this affiliation there are regional opportunities for you to take advantage of including dances, shabbatons and leadership training.
SMARTY is looking for members to join its Leadership Board, which will be a vital part of the continued success and growth of the youth group. From more information about the Youth Board, or anything SMARTY related, please contact the Temple’s Youth Director, Darren Benedick at smarty@emanu-el.org.
