The URJ's Teen Philanthropy Project, developed in partnership with the Jewish Teen Funder's Network, offers high school students an opportunity to act upon the core Jewish values of tzedakah, tikkun olam and g'milut hasadim, through the creation of congregational teen foundations. Participating congregations will receive a twenty-session curriculum which leads students through the process of articulating their values, raising money, learning about consensus, mission and communal need, participating in hands-on service, developing a Request for Proposals, and ultimately awarding grants in their community. The project has a strong focus on building teen community and developing leadership skills.
The Teen Philanthropy Project reinforces the idea of tzedakah as a core Jewish value. The curriculum is conceived and written so that the important aspects of team building and group decision making are woven into the lesson plans. When teens engage in philanthropy that is both strategic and collective, they build their commitment to living Jewish values, practice leadership skills, build or deepen relationships with peers and improve their local and congregational communities. The project also enables teen participation in multiple aspects of congregational life.
Those completing Year 1:
Those beginning Year 2:
Beit RJ Baltimore, MD
Temple Kol Tikvah Woodland Hills, CA
Or Chadash Flemington, NJ
Congregation Bnai Israel Boca Raton, FL
Temple Sinai Bergen County, NJ
Temple Sholom Chicago, IL
Temple Har Shalom Warren, NJ
Congregation Beth Israel Northfield, NJ
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El, Scarsdale, NY
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