8th-12th Grades

Temple Israel’s High School Program is designed for the realities of being a Jewish teenager in Memphis today. Our curriculum and community prioritize relevance, relationships, and Jewish values, ensuring that every teen feels seen, supported, and grounded in a tradition that speaks directly to their lives.

Through grade-level learning, hands-on experiences, meaningful conversation, and deep relationships with clergy and educators, our teens explore what it means to live a proud and thoughtful Jewish life in a rapidly changing world.

Madrichim 

Madrichim (teacher assistants) are teen leaders in grades 8-12 who serve as guides and role models in our Wendy & Avron Fogelman Religious School. The term comes from the Hebrew word derech and literally means "guide," with the role focused on building leadership skills and Jewish knowledge for the teens while helping younger students learn and feel connected. Our Madrichim program offers teens a unique opportunity to give back to the community. Madrichim play an important role in our school by assisting teachers in classrooms, supporting special programs and events, and participating in ongoing leadership development. Once a month, they take part in a professional development session using a curriculum created specifically for them through Moving Traditions, helping them grow as confident, capable young leaders.

Teen Trip

Each year, Temple Israel’s High School Program offers an immersive travel experience that brings learning, friendship, and Jewish identity to life beyond the classroom. Teens explore a city’s unique Jewish history, celebrate Shabbat together at a local congregation, and experience the culture, food, and music that make each city special. The trip strengthens friendships, deepens students’ connection to Judaism and each other, and helps them see themselves as part of the broader Jewish story. 

Confirmation

Temple Israel has been celebrating the confirmation of our 10th grade students throughout our congregational history, and we are so looking forward to your student becoming a link in the chain of this important tradition. The goal of Confirmation is to deepen our students’ personal connection to Judaism and help them develop a confidence in their Jewish identity that will stay with them as they head out into the world.

Taught by our clergy and educators, the program provides teens with the opportunity to connect, reflect, and explore topics such as the role Judaism plays in their daily lives, how they understand God, tradition, and purpose, and how Jewish wisdom helps them make sense of the world in which they are living. 

Graduation

Our 12th grade graduation class is designed to help seniors prepare for Jewish life beyond the walls of Temple Israel. Together, we explore what it means to build community, navigate challenges, and live proudly as a Jewish young adult in new environments. Seniors leave with practical tools as they step into the next chapter of their Jewish journey.