The Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge strives to enlighten and enrich our Jewish youth and students to foster future generations of proud Jewish people.
Alfred G. Rayner Learning Center
The Alfred G. Rayner Learning Center began in 1984 in an effort to provide daily care for infants and young children. Today the school has evolved into a day care and learning center for pre-kindergarten children.
The Center has two goals: First, to provide safe, quality, professional care and supervision of the infants and young children entrusted to the school. Second, to initiate the educational process by providing a foundation of values and techniques of learning material appropriate for each age group. The Learning Center emphasizes Judaism, its customs, and culture.
Non-Jewish students are welcome to participate in this program, and their diverse backgrounds are respected. The Rayner Center is located at Beth Shalom Synagogue, but operates as an independent organization.
Baton Rouge Federation of Temple Youth
Stemming from a historic tradition of both Jewish and non-Jewish European youth movements, the North American Federation of Temple Youth (otherwise known as “NFTY”) is the Reform Jewish religious youth movement that fosters leadership at the national, regional, and congregational level. It is advised by a set of adult Jewish youth professionals. Comprised of more than 500 local synagogue youth groups, NFTY also functions as a youth organization, an affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, as well as a program of the Union’s Youth Division.
NFTY is a Reform Jewish community for high school students. NFTYites forge and build friendships, lifelong Reform Jewish identities, and leadership skills through community building, worship, social action, and experiential youth-led Jewish educational programming. Many NFTYites serve as NFTY leaders on the local, regional, and even North American levels. Many NFTY Leaders continue on to become both lay and professional leaders of the Reform Movement.
Baton Rouge Federation of Temple Youth (BaRFTY), our local chapter of the North American Federation of Temple Youth serves the youth of both Congregation B'nai Israel and Beth Shalom Synagogue and is open to all teens in grades 9-12. This enthusiastic bunch of kids is active in the Baton Rouge Jewish community and has monthly social gatherings for both fun and education.
hillel at lsu
Hillel is a Jewish student organization dedicated to bringing together Jewish students and enriching students' lives as both undergraduates and graduates. At Louisiana State University, the Hillel is active and growing, gaining new members each year. Throughout the academic year, Hillel hosts several events with the goal of both celebrating holidays and having fun. Hillel at LSU exists to do one simple thing; unite both Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at Louisiana State University. LSU attracts students from all over the state of Louisiana, as well as other states and from around the world. By bringing this diverse group of students together, they can share stories, have fun and celebrate their Jewish heritage. Whether it is at social events, spiritual gatherings, or in the classroom, Hillel at LSU encourages all students to grow and learn together as a community.