Hello! My name is Sabrina Leftoff. This year, I am a senior at North Springs High School.
When Covid19 began to affect our area, school as well as many other time consuming events were cancelled. From this, I was provided with an unaccustomed amount of free time. I decided to reconnect with my love for arts and crafts, considering I normally don’t have the time to do so. I started to obsess over the many things I was able to create, and did not want to stop any time soon.
Although I was content with my crafts, I knew that there were many other people that did not have the same luxury that I was blessed with during quarantine. I began to brainstorm different ways that I could connect my love for art with my concern for those who are suffering. Eventually, I came up with the idea of designing and selling key chains to raise money for an organization that aids people who are suffering during this time. I came into contact with various individuals who provided me with the names of different organizations that fit my interest.
The key chains I designed are a combination of my own drawings, and different slogans that support social justice. I decided to incorporate these slogans so that while people are helping me contribute to those in need, they are also supporting the many movements that deserve of recognition and support. The drawings that are pictured on the key chains are various drawings I did during quarantine. They represent the time I had to focus on creativity and art, while others were struggling. My understanding of this is what initially sparked my desire to help those in need, which is why I decided to incorporate my own designs.
I hope to sell these key chains to spread awareness of the importance of social justice, share my creations with others, and most importantly, make an impact on an organization that speaks to me and is in need of my contributions.
To purchase a key chain and support my project visit:
This past week at the University of Georgia has been unlike anything I’ve ever expected. I never thought I’d be ordering meals via GrubHub or wearing masks in the lounge or rushing sororities online with plenty of technical difficulties. Honestly, I never expected to rush at all, but in a time of social uncertainty, it’s a relief to know I will have my sisters by my side. I live under the assumption my time here is limited and because of that, I push myself to meet people wherever I am, in the community bathrooms at Crusty Creswell or in line at Bolton waiting for food. In high school back in Suwanee, I liked to have my fashion reflect my values and personality, and particularly now, in a time where first impressions are everything, I’ve carefully selected my bags, stickers, and clothes to act as conversation-starters. I’m happy to say I’ve met many a person that way.
While several of my classes are completely online, I do have a few hybrid courses where students are split into three groups and rotate as to who meets in-person versus who attends on Zoom. Because of the lack of proximity and opportunities to meet our classmates, my small group started a groupchat the very first day we met, something rather unusual when you have all semester to make a connection.
Coming from a large high school with over 800 kids in my graduating class, I was nervous about going to an in-state school and branching out beyond my town’s “bubble” as we affectionately called it. What I didn’t fully comprehend, however, is the sheer size of UGA and how many incredible people serve to make up its single statistic of 38,652 students. More than that it’s amazing to see old friends in a new light. I find I’ve come to appreciate everyone’s nuances a little more; people act differently depending on the situation they’re in and I’ve found that COVID-19 has fostered a sense of community unlike anything I’ve had before, the idea that we’re all in this together against a common enemy.
That being said, I think it’s important to note that along with the general camaraderie comes self-doubt: Am I doing the right thing, the safe thing? Every action I make is exhausting as I weigh the pro’s and con’s, especially as someone whose happy place is with other people.
But then again, college is all about finding your niche and where you belong. To me, COVID has just sped up that process. I’ve found -and continue to find- little groups of people around campus who I’m lucky enough to call my friends and whether we go home after Thanksgiving or next week, I know they’ll be right there with me. After all, isn’t that what college is all about?
This year has been an absolute nightmare for the world. We started it off thinking we were starting World War 3, and then we were all quarantined for months, away from family and friends, because of a viral pandemic called “Covid-19”. The struggle for attention and friendship has only been strengthened by this virus. For people like me, who didn’t have many people to talk to before this pandemic, this was one of the loneliest years of my life. And I’m not alone in that sense, either.
There are so many teens in the State of Georgia who can’t come out to anyone because they are afraid of how their life will change, or who have no friends, because nobody can accept the fact that they are different. There are some people who are too shy to make friends, and stay hidden in the background. The pandemic has greatly magnified the effect of this issue, causing widespread depression and loneliness in the LGBTQ+ community, which is sending teens to toxic parts of the internet for positive attention, only to get the opposite. To make matters worse, most pflag organizations based out of Georgia only do support groups, and do social gatherings once every month.
For this reason, and many more, this is why I decided 1 month ago that I would create ‘The Closet’. I know the name might be silly, and definitely more than a bit queer, but it provides exactly what everyone needs right now. Every Friday and Saturday, for 1 to 1 ½ hours, I provide a safe space supervised by adults for LGBTQ+ teens ages 13-18 to hang out and just be themselves.
I know the question everyone has now is, “How is this any different from other organizations doing the exact same thing.” Instead of being an organization run by adults, I wanted something different, which was an organization that was run by teens. I did this because I truly believe the only way to truly appeal to teens, is to be teens. So instead of adults trying to be teens, we are teens. Of course, I’m not introducing chapters for a long time, but when I do, those state’s chapters will also be ran by teens.
We’re just starting out- in fact, this is only our second week, but we would love new members. All of our meetings are free, and donations are accepted and greatly appreciated, but they are not required. If you aren’t in the LGBTQ+ community, but you know someone who is, or is thinking about it, please spread the word of our organization! You can find more information about us and how you can help on our website, https://thecloset.ga. If you are interested in supervising our events, please let me know! I’m always looking for more people to help out. You can reach me at erubenstein577@gmail.com
While JumpSpark was virtually road tripping around the country exploring colleges and universities, the world changed. Important conversations have started about the need for cis-gender, straight, white Americans to educate themselves about the systemic racism and discrimination our country was built on. Jewish Americans are not exempt from this work.
As an organization committed to helping each Jewish teen find an authentic expression of their Judaism, that also has thousands of social media followers, JumpSpark recognizes the privilege of our platform. So, for the month of July, and forever after, JumpSpark is committed to using its social media and programming as a platform to amplify the voices in our community that have been silenced or excluded from communal conversations. We are committing to passing the mic.
Drawing from Encounter’s Communication Agreement, we invite everyone to join us in the radical act of ‘resilient listening’. “Listening does not mean that we endorse a viewpoint or an interpretation of facts, nor validate the facts a person chooses to present or omit. ‘Resilient listening’ allows a person and/or a community to live with tension, to hold multiple perspectives at the same time, and to continue to be open to learning new rather than guarding against and shutting down. Only when we can learn from those with whom we disagree can we be more effective and solution-oriented advocates and change-agents.”
When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand… Listening, not talking is the gifted and great role… So try listening. Listen to your wife, your husband, your father, your mother, your children, your friends, to those who love you and those who don’t, to those who bore you, to your enemies. It will work a small miracle. And perhaps a great one. — Brenda Ueland, from The Art of Listening
G-d, grant me the creativity to bring my vision to life, the maturity to abandon dreams that aren’t ready for this world (or vice versa), and the community to hold me accountable while helping me recognize the difference.
I am exhausted and I imagine some of you reading this are too. If you’re employed and not deemed an “essential worker” (like me), you may wake up each work week with a list of tasks that seem less important or inspiring in the new normal. You might push yourself to find the passion and purpose during a pandemic yet there is a sense of survivor’s guilt.
My loved ones or I could have contracted COVID-19 but we haven’t.
My partner or I might lose our job like some of our peers.
My friends and neighbors could die any day because of the color of their skin.
Living in America in 2020 is a stressful situation yet I am more fortunate than most. Despite this, I feel despair and doubt these societal challenges are unlikely to get significantly better any time soon. So as I sit with this discomfort, I can shelter in place and I can lift my voice in protest. I can contact my local representatives and advocate for legislative change such as defunding the police. And I can do something I have done before and am yearning to do again: I can develop a creative solution that addresses a community need.
My organization, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta has once again partnered with Plywood People, Atlanta’s leading community of social entrepreneurial start-ups, to present Path by Plywood with Jewish ATL. Path is the first step in Plywood’s process and it’s for problem solvers who need direction and accountability as they decide what to do with their idea. Our Federation Innovation team has invested in a Path by Plywood community cohort because we believe we can build a more resilient Jewish Atlanta by supporting the entrepreneurs and changemakers who will build the future in which we all want to live.
I am excited to join this group of creative thinkers that are building a new reality for our new normal. I am personally interested in exploring solutions for spiritual engagement enabled by technological advances. Prayer is one of our oldest traditions and come this Fall, our synagogues will feel empty during High Holy Day services as social distancing forces virtual engagement. But if the sanctuary is empty, will the Zoom “room” feel full? Or will it feel crowded? Will it feel cold and disconnected?
We are at the edges of this new frontier bringing digital platforms to the analog practices of communal prayer. It is a space of opportunity because it is a space that until recently did not need to exist. So it may take months before I know the proper direction to take and the allies I need to bring along for the journey. But I take comfort in the realization that this is an opportunity to create and connect with friends, both new and old. Soon, I will have an inspiring curriculum and community to push me forward.
Path by Plywood with Jewish ATL runs every Thursday night from July 9 – Sept 3. It costs $75 which is a highly subsidized price enabled by our Federation Innovation donors. Learn more about this 9-week course and register at https://jewishatlanta.org/path-by-plywood/
Unlike most things in quarantine, my involvement with the Strong Women Fellows has not slowed or even skipped a beat. In the past month, I’ve helped facilitate three meetings to create our annual end-of-the-year video in collaboration with VOX ATL, a nonprofit organization centered around uncensored (but edited!) content for teens by teens. This included shooting videos, writing emails, and figuring out which room in my house was quietest for Zoom calls.
This whole experience has been a far cry from what I’ve found at school; in one class, I haven’t even seen or talked to my teacher since the shut-down began. This means no calls, no recordings, nothing — just a few weekly assignments to do ourselves. Suffice to say, I don’t lean back on my community at school for support. Luckily, I have another option.
When I initially applied for this Fellowship in 2018, I had no idea what to expect. For one thing, it was brand-new; I was part of the first cohort of Strong Woman and there certainly wasn’t a video for me to watch and see what I was getting myself into! Secondly, I didn’t have a prominent Jewish community in the suburbs where I lived (hence why I applied), and I didn’t know if I would arrive at meetings as an outsider or not. There are few times in my life where I can say with absolute joy that I was wrong, and this is one of them. Everything was done with the fellows in mind and in top priority; the date and location of each meeting changed monthly to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. To me, it meant I matter, and furthermore so do my opinions. You see, this past year, a middle-ground was found with meetings on Sunday afternoon in a central location (I was very happy to learn I wouldn’t have to drive downtown on a weekday anymore).
The reason for the change says everything about the program: They asked what we thought, and they listened. It’s the same motto that drives VOX and after spending an afternoon filming there last year, it’s the reason why both my brother and I joined as teen staff. And it’s the reason I spend my quarantine with VOX and Srtong Women extraordinaire’s Rachel Alterman Wallack, Tibria Brown, Emma Mac, Annie Fortnow, and the rest of the Fellows, working on a video that encapsulates everyone’s experience. We spent hours discussing ways to incorporate different aspects of the program, from the journals we write in at the end of each meeting to the guest speakers we listened to. We tackled filming at home and learning how to be our best camerawomen — no easy feat, I might add! Keeping the camera steady has never seemed so difficult.
Although most of my life has come to a halt, the Strong Women Fellowship continues to keep me connected, one Zoom call at a time.
On Saturday May 9th, Riverwood students and teachers had the privilege of hearing the inspiring words of Representative Lucy Mcbath (D-GA) on a Zoom call. The call was organized by Riverwood’s Students Demand Action club, started by 11th graders Tess Berman and Sydney Fox. Students Demand Action is a part of Everytown for Gun Safety. Led completely by students, Students Demand Action functions to host events, educate the community, and communicate with legislators to promote gun safety. Tess and Sydney were motivated to start the club following the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. When the government ceased to take action following the tragedy, the girls realized it was their job to enact change.
Elected in 2018, Congresswoman Mcbath is the Representative from Georgia’s 6th district. As a victim of gun violence, she works with Everytown and Students Demand Action to tackle America’s daunting gun issue. In the Zoom call, the Congresswoman shared the story of her son, Jordan Davis, who was shot and killed while unarmed in 2012. The Representative proceeded to empower the students by encouraging them to believe that they have the power to enact change, just as she has. She stressed the importance of young voices in promoting progress.
It is amazing how quickly the world can change. I want to thank everyone in the JumpSpark community for your patience as we reassessed our SparkGrants for FY20. Through conversation with many community partners and stakeholders, both locally and nationally, we have created a three-phase approach for SparkGrant applications and decisions.
The world is still changing. With all of our grants, both renewals, and new grants, JumpSpark is requiring a completed scenario planning sheet. This sheet is designed to share how the grant would be operationalized in-person, virtually and in a hybrid (mixed virtual/in-person) scenarios.
Please note, all grants must meet Spark Grant requirements and be able to be operationalized in either a hybrid (in-person/virtual) or all-virtual settings. Grants for in-person only programming will not be considered at this time.
As always, the JumpSpark team is here to talk, dream, and build with you. We are all in uncharted waters, but we are all here together. Please reach out to talk at any time.
SparkGrant Key Dates:
June 1stRenewal agreements and scenario planning sheets due
June 15th Revised grant proposals and scenario planning sheets due
July 15th Revised grant decisions announced
July 15th-August 1st #StayingStrong grant applications open
September 1st #Staying Strong grant decisions announced
Phase One: FY19 Spark Grant Renewals only ($190,000)
On Friday, May 15thgrant renewal agreements and scenario planning sheets will be sent out to the recipients of FY19 SparkGrants
Please return both documents to JumpSpark by June 1, 2020
Renewal payments will go out by June 15th, 2020electronically.
Since the start of stay-at-home measures, JumpSpark has continued to provide micro-grants to organizations creating responsive programming or opportunities for teens that speak to the current moment. (Up to $7000). Example: NFTY-SAR’s virtual Spring Kallah https://jumpsparkatl.org/spark-note-the-one-on-zoom/
Phase Two: Pending SparkGrant Applications for R&D Grant, Navigating Parenthood and Teen Thriving ($150,000)
If you or your organization applied for an FY20 Spark Grant that is still able to be operationalized, you must submit a scenario planning sheetby June 15th to be considered for a grant.
Revised grant proposals must meet Spark Grant requirements and be able to be operationalized in either a hybrid (in-person/virtual) or all-virtual settings. Grants for in-person only programming will not be considered at this time.
Decisions for phase two will be announced on July 15th, 2020
Phase Three: #StayingStrong Grants ($300,000)
Given the new reality we are in, what does your organization need to make sure your teens, parents, and youth-serving professionals are #Stayingstrong? What learnings have you gathered during this uncertain time that is changing how you want to do things moving forward? In what way do you want to seize this moment to try something new? How could you rethink collaboration in this virtual world to increase impact and expand bandwidth? Grant funding is available up to $25,000 to support staffing, professional development, and program creation and design.
JumpSpark will open the new #StayingStrong grant applications on July 15th, 2020, and close August 1st.
All new grant proposals must complete a Spark Grant application and a Scenario Planning sheet.
New grant proposals must meet Spark Grant requirements and be able to be operationalized in either a hybrid (in-person/virtual) or all-virtual settings. Grants for in-person only programming will not be considered at this time.
Decisions for #StayingStrong grants will be announced on September 1, 2020.
All SparkGrants must:
•Serve either Jewish teens, teen-serving professionals, the families of Jewish teens, or all three. •Support, develop, or foster the infrastructure of the Atlanta Jewish teen community. •Seek to create new points of entry for Jewish teens, parents, and professionals to thrive in the Atlanta Jewish community. •Meet an identified need or want in the community and have an established constituency. •Create spaces that are pluralistic and radically welcoming. •Provide high-level Jewish learning and community building opportunities. •Foster collaboration with multiple partners with one clear project owner
JF&CS’ goal is to build a community of empowered lives and there is no better time to contribute to this goal than Mental Health Awareness month. Started in May 1949 by Mental Health America, the goal of Mental Health Awareness month has always been to bring light to those living with mental illness. To fight stigma, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
Approximately one in five teens (ages 12-18) has a diagnosable mental health disorder. In these unprecedented times we are seeing increased depression and anxiety among teens due to sadness, isolation, loneliness, and uncertainty. To support the teens in our community, JF&CS clinicians are offering several groups to specifically support teens and their families. Groups include: Teen Girls, High School Seniors, and Parenting in a Pandemic: Teen and Tweens.
Social interactions, friendships and activities are of primary importance for teens, their sense of self and development. Due to COVID-19 socialization has been greatly impacted. Much of what is challenging for teens today is the inability to physically socialize in school, playing sports, extracurricular activities and just the plain old hanging out that teens do. These groups are a place for teens to process feelings and find support among their peers who may be sharing similar experiences during this time of uncertainty and change.
In an ongoing effort to support teens in our community, Rebecca Brown, LCSW and Jaime Stepansky, LMSW, certified instructors, offer Youth Mental Health First Aid courses. Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches adult participants about mental health and substance-use issues in youth and teens.
Here are a few tips from Mental Health First Aid to help teens cope during COVID-19:
Maintain a daily routine with consistent sleep, activity and study patterns.
Stay connected with others, and try to find moments of humor.
Talk to people you feel comfortable with about your feelings or worries, then give yourself permission to stop worrying.
Look for patterns or be aware of situations that make you feel particularly worried or anxious. When you’re in these situations, try relaxation or distraction techniques or ask a family member or friend to help.
Limit the amount of time you spend talking about or watching/listening to news media or social media if you are finding information about the COVID-19 situation overwhelming or distressing.
Do hobbies or activities that you enjoy, calm you down or focus your mind and body. These could be arts and crafts, physical activity, listening to music, reading, journaling, watching TV or movies, or chatting with friends by phone, videoconference or text.
Take time for yourself.
Be kind to yourself and each other. We’ll work through this together.
For more information about JF&CS clinical services contact Amy Maslia at 770-677-9474 or email at therapy@jfcsatl.org. To learn more about or participate in a Youth Mental Health First Aid training please contact Rebecca Brown at rbrown@jfcsatl.org.
In 2019-20, Moving Traditions has been thrilled to partner with JumpSpark to bring our innovative programs to the Atlanta Jewish community to build the wellbeing and Jewish identity of youth.
Now, our lives have been interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. We face isolation and fear for the health of those we love. Jewish youth especially are seeing their social lives shut down, as they are confined to their homes with their parents and behind their screens.
Moving Traditions is taking steps to help parents and Jewish educators address the needs of the moment.
In mid-March, Moving Traditions began to release a series of COVID-19 resources, including a new session for our Rosh Hodesh, Shevet and Tzelem teen groups, Teens and Coronavirus: Living Life During a Pandemic, focusing on balancing self-care and the responsibility to care for others; avoiding scapegoating in times of fear; touch and consent; and the importance of seeking out joy.
The session follows Moving Traditions usual approach, combining ancient Jewish wisdom with the latest in social-emotional learning and teen culture to explore the important issues of the day. As always—and even in our online adaptations—we use a variety of modalities to create safety, intimacy, fun, and meaning-making. And we are training our educator-partners to adapt to our new online world through webinars and one-to-one coaching.
As a synagogue educator recently wrote, “We have taken our Rosh Hodesh and Shevet groups online and the families and teens are really thankful. In fact, our 10th-grade boys’ Shevet group has requested to meet twice a month while we are all at home, and we have agreed and that’s what they are doing.”
In late April, we just released another new session, this time for parents and their preteens and teens. Entitled, “How to Connect When You’re Never Apart,” the session is designed to be implemented with a Zoom platform, and is available to all Jewish educators.
With families spending more time together under one roof than ever before, the “How to Connect” session gives parents and children the opportunity to come together—even if on their own screens—to talk to one another in real-time about the gifts and challenges of this new normal. The session provides the opportunity for each person to reflect on and share with their family members their communication styles and needs and explores strategies for truly connecting with one another.
Looking ahead to the next 3-6 months, the Moving Traditions team is conducting rapid needs assessment interviews in order to revise and clarify how we can best meet the needs of Jewish youth, educators, and institutions going forward, given how our lives are so fundamentally changing.
We look forward to continuing to partner with JumpSpark and the Atlanta Jewish community, as together we support Jewish youth and families through this crisis—and into resilience, wellbeing, and connection.
Please join us for our Taste of Moving Traditions Webinar: Join JumpSpark virtually on May 13 at 1 pm for an experiential webinar to learn about Moving Traditions and the impact that, together, we can have on Jewish youth in Atlanta. During this “Taste of Moving Traditions,” we will give you insight into their Pathway of programs, including B’nai Mitzvah programs and Teen Groups. This is a great opportunity to learn about bringing this flexible community-building program to your community in a time when teens need that sense of connection. Moving Traditions programming can be implemented online or in-person.
Established in 2005, Moving Traditions launched with a Teen Group program for girls, Rosh Hodesh, and has since created Shevet for boys and Tzelem for transgender and non-binary teens. Our new B’nai Mitzvah program helps 6th and 7th graders and their parents develop strong communication and empathy as they prepare to become and parent a teen, and the Carol Lowenstein Moving Traditions B’nai Mitzvah Training Institute prepares clergy and educators to lead meaningful, Jewish conversations to help families navigate this important “coming of age” time of life. Together, the Moving Traditions B’nai Mitzvah program and Teen Groups comprise the Pathway to Flourishing Jewish Teens.
Their latest training initiative, CultureShift, prepares camp leaders to train their counselors and staff to challenge sexism, sexual harassment, and assault at camp, and to promote healthy relationships rooted in safety, respect, and equity.
To date, Moving Traditions has emboldened 25,265 teens, trained 2,023 adults as B’nai Mitzvah program leaders and Teen Group mentors, and partnered with more than 400 congregations, JCCs and other Jewish entities across North America. We operate six staffed regions in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia.
For over 60 years, USY has provided Jewish teens with transformative travel experiences, opening their eyes to new places, different ways of life, and some of the world’s most spectacular sights.
On a USY Summer Experience, you will gain independence and a better sense of self, form lifelong bonds of friendship with teens from across North America, be immersed in other cultures and see the world from a different perspective, develop a deeper understanding of global issues and conflict, repair the world in local communities through volunteer work and service, and discover the joy of Jewish living through fun, meaningful experiences that create a lasting impact.
Now, it’s YOUR turn to have the summer of a lifetime in the U.S., Canada, Israel, Europe, or the Dominican Republic. See where USY Summer Experience takes you, and register today.
Ramah Israel Seminar is a six-week travel program in Israel, designed for entering 12th graders who are graduates of the ten Ramah overnight camps in North America. For over 50 years, Ramah Seminar has been an outstanding way for teens to experience Israel. Seminar is an intensive experience of study and travel, combining hiking and trekking throughout Israel with text study, challenging discussions and hands-on learning. Seminar participants travel Israel from north to south, gaining an in-depth perspective of Israel’s history and future. Seminar is an opportunity to live the Ramah life in Israel, combining all that is central to camp – community, connection and growth.
Below are some examples of NSCY Summer Programs to Israel:
Euro— Travel around Europe for two weeks before journeying to Israel to visit Safed, Eilat, Tiberias and many more cities and sites on this co-ed trip.
Euro GO (Girls Only)– Travel with great girls from across the country around Europe for two weeks before journeying to Israel to visit Safed, Eilat, Tiberias and many more cities and sites on this co-ed trip
GIVE — Girls Israel Volunteer Experience (GIVE) is for exceptional high school girls who want to experience Judaism firsthand through the art of giving back in Israel.
Israel ID – Israel ID is a co-ed program that travels through the land of Israel.
JOLT Israel– Our leadership program will show you Israel in a whole new way while you create and run a 10-day camp for Israeli kids in need.
JSU GO Atlanta – Travel and see Israel in this once in a lifetime adventure for Atlanta public school teens.
Kollel — Spend an unforgettable summer in Israel filled with intense learning, world-class sports, and great trips.
Michlelet — An extraordinary program for teenage girls looking to spend their summer in a productive way by learning Torah and touring Israel.
Discover Israel’s many treasures on a transformative journey with a focus on historical exploration, exhilarating adventures in nature, and cultural connections.
Travel from the far north in the Galilee to the deep south at the Red Sea as we visit ancient Jerusalem, modern Tel Aviv, the lush Golan Heights, the vast Negev Desert, the unsinkable Dead Sea, and the stark mountaintop fortress of Masada. Along the way, you’ll take part in an authentic archaeological dig, sample the world’s very best falafel, spend a night sleeping under the desert stars, and experience the innovative energy of Tel Aviv first-hand.
More than a tour, this is an opportunity to understand Israel’s dynamic society first-hand while finding your own connection to this storied land. Explore what it means to be Jewish from an Israeli point of view, understand the complex politics of the Middle East with real-world insights, and practice Jewish values through hands-on volunteering and Shabbat experiences.
Some of our Israel Journey trips will have the opportunity to attend The Maccabiah Games. Often referred to as “the Jewish Olympics,” this is the world’s largest Jewish athletic competition that takes place every four years in Israel.
NFTY in Israel is a chance for teens to experience the true culture and history of Israel through a variety of social and educational opportunities. Focusing on all that Israel has to offer, this trip is for the teen who is ready to explore their progressive Jewish values from a whole new angle! Come discover yourself on the adventure of a lifetime and make lifelong friendships along the way.
Touch ancient ruins visited by your ancestors for thousands of years. Eat delicious pita fresh off the fire. Climb sand dunes. Hike mountains. Swim in the Mediterranean. Float in the Dead Sea. Wander with your friends and meet amazing new people. Explore your progressive Jewish values from new angles. Discover yourself on the adventure of a lifetime.
Choose from several specialty trips, including a deep Hebrew immersion, a trip through the lens of social justice, a sports trip for athletes, and a sci-tech Israel trip.
Travel from the Golan Heights to the shores of Eilat and everywhere in-between. Swim in the Kinneret, visit archeological digs, hike through the mountains and float in the Dead Sea and much more.
Explore your Jewish Heritage
Judaism will come alive as you pray at the Western Wall, hike up Masada and visit all the holy sites Israel has to offer. Connect to the past and discover your future.
Meet Other Jewish Teens
JSU GO is designed for public school teens looking to learn more about their Jewish heritage through hands-on, meaningful experiences.
