About BAY
Bellingham Area Youth (BAY) is Congregation Beth Israel’s high school youth group, where Jewish teens can build community through fun, meaningful, and inclusive experiences. BAY creates opportunities for students to participate in activities such as campfires and shut-ins as well as social action projects such as collecting food for Western Washington University’s food pantry or volunteering at the Whatcom Humane Society. In 2025-2026, we have a Youth Leadership Board that is meeting monthly to make all this happen! Through social, spiritual, and service-oriented events, BAY hopes to foster Jewish friendships, community engagement, and a strong sense of Jewish identity. Check the congregation’s weekly email for any updates on activities and events.
Meet our Adviser: Mikayla Goodkin
Hi! I’m Mikayla Goodkin, the Kesher Songleader and BAY adviser here at CBI.
My background is in English Literature — I earned my BA from Western Washington University in 2023 — and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction through the University of Virginia. I’m passionate about student-centered learning and am working toward a career in alternative education settings that nurture creativity, curiosity, and connection.
This is my fourth year as part of the CBI community. I love getting to know my students — their stories, interests, and quirks — and strive to create spaces where they can connect with themselves and each other, be silly, and express themselves in meaningful ways. Outside of CBI, you’ll find me writing poetry, making collages, walking by the bay with my girlfriend, traveling near and far to visit friends and explore new places, baking sourdough bread, playing with my cat (Bug), watching the least suspenseful TV shows possible, and, as of this summer, camping!
I’m so excited for what this year has in store for our teens! If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about Kesher music or BAY, feel free to reach out to me at bay@bethisraelbellingham.org.