Youth Programming at Darkhei Noam
Toddlers/Preschoolers:
Ages 5 and Up: Youth groups begin at 10am with an hour of games and free play supervised by our Youth Coordinator, Deena Nerwen, and a team of teen madrichim (counselors). At 11am, three separate tefillah groups begin. Kids' Tefillah is for children aged 5-7 and Junior Minyan is geared towards ages 8-11.
In addition to Shabbat programming, childcare and youth programming is provided for all minyan sponsored lunches and dinners.
If you have any questions or want to get involved, please email Leila Small at youth@dnoam.org
Donations of gently used toys and books (for all ages) are greatly appreciated. Please contact us at admin@dnoam.org to coordinate any donations.
Do you have a child participating in the Darkhei Noam Youth Program? would you like to connect with other parents? Join the DN Youth WhatsApp group to be in the know.
L'hitraot and Thank You to Leila Small!
After much thought, Leila Small will step down from the Darkhei Noam Youth Coordinator role in order to prioritize her studies.
We are so very grateful for the care, creativity, and enthusiasm she brought to our youth community and look forward to the new ways she will contribute. Leila has expressed feeling very fortunate to have been welcomed into the Darkhei Noam community and plans to remain an active member, continuing to support our youth programs and get involved in other ways, and we are so very appreciative of all she has brought to Darkhei these past months!
We wish Leila all the very best in her studies and future endeavors, and are delighted that she will remain an active member of our community!
WELCOME PAMELA KEKST! DARKHEI NOAM NEW YOUTH COORDINATOR
Pamela Kekst (she/her) is excited to serve as the Youth Coordinator at Darkhei Noam. Pamela
is an experienced Jewish educator and community builder with a strong background in camp
leadership, youth engagement, and Jewish nonprofit work.
Pamela currently works in grantmaking as a Planning Lead at UJA Federation of New York.
Previously, she spent many summers across the Ramah Camping movement, most recently as
Assistant Director at Camp Ramah New England, where she developed a deep commitment to
joyful, values-driven Jewish community. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of
Maryland, holds an MA in Jewish Professional Leadership from the Jewish Theological
Seminary, an MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work, and is a Nachshon Project
Graduate Fellow.
Originally from Chicago and now living on the Upper East Side, Pamela is passionate about
creating inclusive, meaningful, and fun Jewish experiences for youth and teens. She enjoys
exploring New York City on foot, spending time in Central Park, visiting museums and
performances, trying new ice cream and pastry spots, crafting (currently ceramics!), reading,
and cooking. She looks forward to helping the young people of Darkhei Noam strengthen their
connection to Judaism and to one another.
Thank you for participating in DARKHEI NOAM'S Pajama Havdalah Party: A GREAT time was had by all!
DN YOUTH PROGRAM EDIBLE SUKKAH PARTY SUNDAY OCTOBER 5
