Rabbi Boruch Ceitlin, Rabbi Yossi Deren, Bar Kupershtein, who was held hostage by Hamas, Dvir Kupershtein
Chaya Ceitlin, Rabbi Boruch
The culinary pod prepares dinner to be delivered to Kids in Crisis
When Rabbi Boruch and Chaya Ceitlin founded Jewish Riverside Old Greenwich more than two years ago, it was with the goal of creating a tight-knit circle where every member, regardless of their origin, felt that they belonged. “We don’t align strictly with Reform Conservative or Orthodox traditions. We want any Jew in town to be able to feel like they belong here and that it’s their home,” says Rabbi Boruch. “We started with the same global vision as Chabad: making every Jewish person feel comfort and warmth, where they are,” he adds.
After a decade of Ceitlin being involved with Greenwich High School programming for students looking to tap into their Jewish identities, she and Rabbi Boruch saw an unmet need. Many of their students did not belong to a synagogue but were wanting to use their talents to contribute to the community. With that, the idea for Seaside Society was born. The invite-only program helps teens identify and utilize their skills and give back in a meaningful way. “This age group has so much energy. Seaside Society and the work that we do not only gives teens a way to express themselves by doing something that they enjoy, but they also feel accomplished by giving back and connecting,” says Ceitlin.
The group had 40 participants during the 2025-2026 school year. There are ambassadors in each grade who are allowed to invite two friends to join the program. “We like to keep the program fairly small to ensure that everyone is comfortable. But there has been such a strong demand from people all over, even from surrounding areas, that we are hoping to expand next year, possibly to 60 students,” says Ceitlin.
Aviva Erickson speaks at the Seaside Society Gala
First Selectman Fred Camillo signs certificate awards
Teens pose as they help prepare lunch for local firefighters and police officers in Greenwich
Part of the application process involves students expressing their interests so that they can be split into pods that reflect their passions. This past year, the group had three pods—Culinary, Public Relations and Art. At a Greenwich EMS event, the teens learned about all that being an emergency medical service member entails, the culinary group made yogurt bowls for the employees and the design team packaged up the bowls with messages and delivered them as a thank you.
Another event involved partnering with The Friendship Circle, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between special needs and typical youth through shared experiences, empowering special-needs youth with the life skills needed for a productive and independent adult life, giving parents and families respite and nurturing a sense of awareness and communal responsibility in teens. Seaside members learned about the power and importance of inclusion and connection and then made cookies and cards for The Friendship Circle families.
At a Kids in Crisis event, the group learned about the ways in which 24-7 support is provided to families in need. They then made meals with thoughtfully decorated packages for local shelters. All of Seaside Society’s work is captured through its blog and social media posts and on a podcast called “By the Seaside.” While every event provides a different way to give back, the common thread is always connection. “Seaside Society gives its students a chance to meet new friends and form their identity,” says Rabbi Boruch.
Each year of volunteering ends with a seven-day trip to Israel in June. Every day focuses on assisting two separate organizations. “This trip is a way for us to connect with the Jewish community on a global level,” says Rabbi Boruch. Some students struggle to find ways to feel connected to Judaism, and being in Israel is a way for them to feel “a much deeper bond,” says Ceitlin. “We use Israel as a representation of pride, strength and intelligence. This physical land is a beacon of light, and these trips help the students understand that their reach isn’t just limited to their local community.”