Shomrei Torah is thrilled to welcome MARISSA MERKER as its new Kadima Youth Group advisor.  A graduate of Wayne Valley High School, Marissa is now a Sophomore at Ramapo College where she is pursuing a degree in Psychology with concentrations in Elementary Education and Middle School Science.  

Marissa has had a lot of experience working with children and teenagers in the last few years.  As a counselor at The "Y" Summer Playschool for over 6 summers, Marissa developed a great relationship with the children, the Y staff, and the families who sent their children to that program. 

Marissa currently also works in the Y’s Babysitting Room and is one of the staff members who run birthday parties at the Y.  She was a member and Regional President of BBYO, a Jewish Leadership Program.  BBYO opened a lot of doors for Marissa, allowing her to go on The March of the Living, a two week Holocaust Remembrance trip to Poland and Israel, during her senior year of High School.  

Marissa is very eager and excited to put all of her experience and spirit into creating a great Kadima Youth Group Chapter this year!

Kadima, which is United Synagogue’s Jewish Youth Group for 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders, has chapters and regions throughout the world.  Shomrei Torah’s chapter will be meeting once a month on Sunday evenings with its first meeting on September 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.  Local activities will include sports and games, arts and crafts, bowling nights, leadership activities, community service projects, fun ways to celebrate various Jewish holidays, and much more.  The goal is to inspire Jewish youth to explore, celebrate and practice ethical values, Jewish life, Zionism and community responsibility. 

Membership in Shomrei Torah is not necessary for a youngster to belong to its Kadima Chapter.

Shomrei Torah belongs to the Northern New Jersey Hagalil Region which has some forty-eight chapters.  In addition to the local activities, all Kadima members (a/k/a “Kadimaniks”) can attend regional conventions, dances, and athletics and just about every other kind of social, educational, charitable, cultural, artistic, and religious activity imaginable.

All Kadimaniks receive Kol Kadima, a magazine that reports on special themes, coast-to-coast programs, games, and information about Israel, social action projects, and Jewish ethics.  Parents of Kadimaniks receive Ma'asei Yaldeinu (The Parents' Newsletter).

Kadima's dues for the year are $36 for Shomrei Torah members and $54 for non-members.  However, those who sign up before September 16, need only pay $30 for Shomrei Torah members and $45 for non-members.  Checks should be made payable to Shomrei Torah with the word “Kadima” written on the “Memo” line and mailed to: Shomrei Torah, 30 Hinchman Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470-2314.  For more information about Kadima, contact Marissa at kadimaMarissaM@gmail.com.  For more information about Shomrei Torah, please view the website at www.ShomreiTorahWCC.org.