Student Voices

To say that my life would be different without Kehillah High is an understatement. Kehillah High has helped to shape me into the person I am today. Through Kehillah High, I have learned valuable leadership skills and how to converse with those I might not necessarily agree with. I have learned that Judaism isn’t just something that belongs to me, it’s something that binds a community and creates a sense of hope in dark times and happiness in others. Kehillah High has offered me an escape from the stressful world of being a high school student in a public school and given me a place to talk about something other than algebra and chemistry. Kehillah High offers me a place to meet people and become friends with kids like me. Kids who face the harsh reality of being a Jewish teen in today’s cruel world. Kids who have to learn how to stand up for what they believe in and defend who they are. Kehillah High provides a place for teens to take a break from the real world to make life-long friends and talk about issues important to them. One of my favorite parts of Kehillah High is the friends that I’ve made. The bonds I’ve created, I am sure will last a lifetime. Kehillah High has provided a place where I can see my friends that I otherwise wouldn’t ever see due to distance and busy schedules. I also am so immensely grateful for the opportunities Kehillah High has given me. I’ve been able to attend AIPAC events, travel to New Orleans in 8th & 9th grade, stay at a beach house in 10th grade, and have many other once in a lifetime opportunities. I am forever grateful for the skills I’ve learned, bonds I’ve created, and opportunities granted through Kehillah High. -Mikayla Kaplan, Class of 2022
My favorite part about Kehillah High is the friendships I have made through the program. By connecting three synagogues in the Houston area, I am able to meet new people and continue to learn about and practice Judaism with them. The friendships I have made at Kehillah High as well as what I’ve learned about Judaism and its impact on the world around me will last long past my time at Kehillah High. -Bailey Maierson, Class of 2021
Kehillah High’s innovative program provides an educational curriculum dedicated to teaching teens not only about Jewish values and traditions, but how those can be applied to the challenges they may face in school and throughout their lives. -Jack Alberts, Class of 2020
Kehillah High is truly a place for every Jewish teen, because no matter our differences or quirks or whatever, we are all Jewish and leading the Jewish community together. Kehillah High is something I look forward to every Wednesday, because I get to see my friends, teachers, and rabbis. It's a place to find out which parts of Judaism interest you because the teens have input in what we get to learn. It is a place where I am really happy! -Aryeh Gruber, Class of 2017
When I heard about Kehillah High in the summer before junior year, I had no idea what to expect. I soon met Danielle Alexander and the rest of the Kehillah High board and realized the potential that this program had. Over the past two years at Kehillah High I have not only learned about interesting and relevant Jewish topics and their implications on everyday life, but also made life long friends who I would never had met if not for this program. I am so happy that I continued religious school at Kehillah High. -Jake Greenberg, Class of 2017
Kehillah High is a great way for me to learn more about Judaism. I also love the incredible teachers and feel that I can talk to them if I need to. -Carol Lahana, Class of 2019
My experience in Kehillah High has been amazing. During each class, I learn new things, contribute my ideas, and meet incredible people. -Maya Teller, Class of 2018
Attending Kehillah High this year was one of the best decisions I made in high school.  Not only did I continue my Jewish education while attending public school, but also got the opportunity to attend AIPAC Policy Conference, which I will remember for the rest of my life. -Rebecca Burd, Class of 2016
Kehillah High has been an amazing experience. I live over an hour away in a smaller town – Lake Jackson. There is no synagogue, so I have been coming to Brith Shalom for Hebrew school classes since I was in second grade. I have met many wonderful people here throughout that time. However, from being in Kehillah High this year, I have been able to meet even more people from different schools and synagogues. The classes have been diverse and it has been cool to have classes at the other congregations, as well as a variety of other places. I was also given the incredible opportunity to go to AIPAC Policy Conference this year through Kehillah High. There I learned a lot and I was able to bond with my peers more closely. I am very thankful to have been able to participate in Kehillah High. I think this has been a great first year, and unfortunately my last. I am honored to be part of the first graduating class of Kehillah High and I hope there are many more to come! -Emilee McGill, Class of 2016