Confirmation Pathway

Dear WRT Families,

One of the things I have learned from watching our teens over the years is that Jewish identity does not follow a single path. Some of our most Jewishly connected young people are the ones leading a Shabbat service at BBYO, marching in Selma on the Civil Rights Trip, teaching our younger students as madrichim, or standing up for justice at L’taken in Washington, D.C. Others find their way through community, through service, through friendship — or through a combination of all of it.

What these teens have in common is not that they show up the same way. It is that they keep showing up.

Starting in 2026–2027, we are introducing a new structure for our teen program that honors exactly that. We are calling it the Confirmation Pathway — and it is designed to meet your teen where they are.

What Is the Confirmation Pathway?

The Confirmation Pathway is a credit-based journey that spans 8th through 12th grade. Teens accumulate credits by participating in the Jewish experiences that matter most to them. The pathway culminates in a Confirmation celebration in the spring of their senior year.

How Credits Are Earned

Teens can earn credits in many ways. A student can reach 36 credits entirely through Madrichim, Beit Midrash, and Teen Mitzvah Corps — no travel required.

Note: Credits can be earned retroactively for prior WRT participation.

Three Ways to Reach 36 Credits

Here are three example paths — teens are not limited to these, and most will create their own combination.

Senior Year: Preparing for Confirmation

Once a student reaches 36 credits, they are eligible for Confirmation. The preparation process begins after spring break of senior year.

All eligible seniors will participate in:

A series of senior preparation gatherings from late April through early June
Reflection on their pathway — identifying meaningful moments and what they want to share
Leading part of the Confirmation Shabbat service
An opportunity to share their story (spoken, written, visual, or musical — format is flexible)

Enrollment & Fees

The new model is simple: one program, one annual fee.

The annual Pathway Commitment Fee covers:

Official enrollment in the Confirmation Pathway and credit tracking
Access to WRTeen Beit Midrash (9th–12th grade, approximately twice a month)
Participation in Teen Mitzvah Corps events (8th–12th grade, approximately once a month)
Invitations to special events and pop-up experiences throughout the year
Eligibility for the 12th grade Confirmation celebration
Eligibility to participate in WRTeen travel opportunities (Trips will incur an additional cost)

What This Means for Your Family

If your teen is a rising 9th–12th grader:

Your teen can enroll starting in 2026–2027. Any WRT experiences they have already participated in — trips, years as a madrich/a, Teen Mitzvah Corps participation — will be reviewed and credited retroactively. You do not need to worry that starting this year means starting from zero.

If your teen is active at WRT but not currently enrolled in JLL:

This pathway was designed with your teen in mind. We see them. Enrollment in the Confirmation Pathway is the formal way for us to track and celebrate everything they are already doing.

If your teen participated previously in 10th grade Confirmation:

We want them to continue their Jewish journey through senior year. We will be in touch with you individually to share more detail about the celebration they will craft as seniors. Please do not hesitate to reach out. I want to talk with you and your teen about what this pathway can look like for your family.

B’vracha (with blessing),

Rabbi Leah Citrin
Director, Jewish Learning Lab
Westchester Reform Temple

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