Jewish Journey Project (Hebrew Language Programs, Jewish Text, History, Religion & Values Programs, Family Education Programs, Online Programs)

City: New York, NY

Auspice/Sponsorship: JCC and affiliates.
Contact Information: Rabbi Sid Schwarz, sschwarz@jccmanhattan.org, 646-505-4471

Website: http://www.jewishjourneyproject.org

Year Established: Winter 2011

Category: Hebrew Language Programs, Jewish Text, History, Religion & Values Programs, Family Education Programs, Online Programs

What is the mission and background of the Jewish Journey project?

• The Jewish Journeys Project is an initiative designed to dramatically re-invent the afternoon religious school experience so as to make children and their families more committed to Jewish life and community. 
• It is the vision of Rabbi Joy Levitt, the executive director of The JCC in Manhattan and is being directed by Rabbi Sid Schwarz.  
• The program launched in 2011 with funding from seven different national and New York area foundations. 

What are the key elements of the program?

• Jewish learning will address the whole child, applying the wisdom of the Jewish heritage to the social, emotional and intellectual growth of each and every student.
• The learning methodology will speak to the head, heart and hands of every child.
• Families get to customize the learning journey of their children.
• Parents will play an integral role in the learning experience so that educational lesson will be reinforced and families will deepen their Jewish commitments. 
• Participating Congregations will be working across institutional and denominational lines as well as with the JCC and with other community-based organizations
• Children will widen their horizon of Jewish friends.
• Jewish children will get exposed to one of the most vibrant Jewish communities in the world.
• Weekly gatherings at one's home congregation will reinforce the value of the synagogue and the connection between the learning modules and the wider Jewish world. 
• Jewish education will fully enter the 21st Century.
• Learning modules will be largely experiential and hands-on.
• Digital learning tools will be fully integrated to address different learning styles and engage children and their families at home.
• JJP will incorporate the best practices and materials in the field of jewish education but will also commission innovative Jewish organizations to create new learning modules for children. 

Which communities currently participate?

• The JCC in Manhattan      
• Congregation B'nai Jeshurun        
• Congregation Habonim
• Society for the Advancement of Judaism         
• East End Temple          
• Temple Emanuel
• Park Avenue Synagogue           
• 14th Street Y

Jewish Teen Funders Network (Jewish Values Programs & Resources, Online Programs & Resources, Teen Programs & Resources, Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Programs & Resources)

City: New York, NY

Auspice/Sponsorship: Jewish Funders Network

Contact Information: Stefanie Zelkind - szelkind@jfunders.org

Website: http://www.jtfn.org

Year Established: 2006

Category: Jewish Values Programs & Resources, Online Programs & Resources, Teen Programs & Resources, Tikkun Olam/Social Justice Programs & Resources

What is the program's mission?

• The mission of the Jewish Teen Funders Network (JTFN) is to provide teens with multiple Jewish values-driven opportunities to engage in collective philanthropic giving with their peers.

What is the structure of the program?

• JTFN has compiled a publication titled, "Build Your Own Program.  It offers resources and sample documents for teachers, community professionals, and teen advisors interested in creating and establishing their own Jewish youth philanthropy programs.  It also has published "JFTN Best Practices," a report broken down into 12 "Best Practice" sections.  Each section provides a concept introduction and 3-5 strategies/concepts for consideration.  Under each strategy you can find examples and resources, and in some cases, technical how-to steps.

What was the genesis of the program? What need was it meant to serve?

• Over the last decade, more than 60 Jewish youth philanthropy programs have emerged throughout North America. From the East Coast to the West Coast, in large metropolitan areas and small communities, these programs engage teens ages 13-18 in hands-on collective philanthropic giving. They are housed in day schools, religious schools, synagogues, social service agencies, local Jewish Federations, and endowment foundations.  There are roughly four programmatic models for Jewish youth philanthropy programs:
• youth foundations, in which teens contribute money to a collective philanthropic pool that is matched by a local donor, or a pool of funds provided through a community endowment, and then give the money away
• seventh grade funds, which allow B’nai Mitzvah students to give money they otherwise would have spent on B’nai Mitzvah gifts to tzedakah
• youth boards, in which teens do not contribute their own money; rather, they are responsible for decisions on a portion of a foundation’s grant making corpus
• individual endowment funds, in which teens donate the interest from individual accounts to organizations of their choice.                                           
• Some programs meet over the course of an academic year, while others meet over one semester. Some programs are structured as one-time experiences, while others engage teens for several cycles. Programs meet 4-8 times, and some include weekend retreats and/or site visits to potential grantees.