February 2026 JTeen Update for Parents
By Leah Stinson and Amy Fox
February 27, 2026
A Message from Leah Stinson, Director of JTeen and JCamping
As the days start to feel like spring and we move from Tu B’Shevat toward Purim, this season brings a sense of renewal and celebration, just what we hope for our teens. Last month, we were grateful to come together for meaningful conversations about antisemitism and reclaiming our Zionism, along with workshops that gave parents time to connect and support one another. In the weeks ahead, we’re excited to launch a new Hebrew-speaking teen parent group, offer a practical teen financial skills workshop, and continue important conversations around teen mental health. Looking ahead to summer, there’s still space at many Jewish overnight camps, and funding opportunities are available, so don’t worry if your teen has never attended before, it’s not too late to give them this special experience.
If you’d like to get in contact with me, you can email me at lstinson@jewishatlanta.org.
Our Team
Our JTeen engagement team is here for the community of parents to answer questions and connect you and your teen with meaningful engagement opportunities. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for support!
Amy Fox, Parent Engagement Manager, JTeen
afox@jewishatlanta.org
Rachel Valdman, Coordinator, JCamping and JTeen
rvaldman@jewishatlanta.org
Upcoming Events & Programs
Hebrew Speaking Parents of Teens: Meet & Sip
Join JTeen and BeWellATL to kick off our Hebrew-speaking parents of teens community: light bites, drinks, cocktail-making, and fun, relatable conversations.
Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: 7:30–9:00 PM
Location: Peachtree Corners
Cost: $10 per Person
For: Hebrew-Speaking Parents of Teens
Register for Hebrew Speaking Parents of Teens: Meet & Sip
Financial Skills Workshop for Teens, Building Smart Money Habits
Join JIFLA, Congregation Ner Tamid, and JTeen for Building Smart Money Habits. Learn practical money skills; how to budget, save, and manage debt; and get Jewish values (interest-free lending and tzedakah). There will be snacks and prizes too!
Date: Sunday, March 15
Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
Location: Marietta
Cost: Free
For: Teens in 8th–12th Grade
Register for Building Smart Money Habits
The High School Transition: A Parent & Teen Conversation
Join JTeen and the Davis Academy for a powerful, practical, and honest evening about what’s really ahead. Hear directly from experts and older teens about what they wish they’d known. Gain real tools for navigating academics, independence, digital safety, and building meaningful Jewish identity in high school. Leave feeling more prepared, connected, and confident about this next chapter.
Date: Monday, March 16
Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
Location: Dunwoody
Cost: $18 per Family
For: 8th-Grade Students and Their Parents
Additional partners: BeWellATL, Atlanta Jewish Academy, the Epstein School, RootOne Atlanta
Register for The High School Transition: A Parent & Teen Conversation
Staying Connected, Letting Go: Parenting Through the Transition to Adulthood
Join parent coach Cari Newman for an intimate evening focused on the emotional and practical transition from high school to what comes next.
Date: Sunday, March 22
Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
Location: Sandy Springs
Cost: $18 per Family
For: Parents of Seniors in High School
Register for Staying Connected, Letting Go
Supporting Executive Function
Join Congregation Dor Tamid, JTeen, JGather, and BeWellATL for an empowering evening designed to equip parents with tools and insights to better support their child’s executive functioning. Learn how to navigate challenges like organization, time management, task initiation, and emotional-regulation skills that are essential for academic success and healthy development.
Led by Dr. Lori Wilson
The session will conclude with a 45 minute Q&A session.
Date: Monday, March 23
Time: 7:00–9:00 PM
Location: Johns Creek
Cost: $18 per Person
For: Parents of Middle and High School Students
Register for Supporting Executive Function
Upcoming Federation Opportunities and Programs
Atlanta Israel Gap Year Fellowship
Atlanta Israel Gap Year Fellowship applications are open! The Atlanta Israel Gap Year Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for Atlanta teens to expand upon their gap year experience with sessions developed to deepen leadership skills, connect with Israeli experts, and explore ways to apply what they learn after the Fellowship—Plus, receive up to $10,000 in scholarship support!
Questions? Contact Rich Walter at rwalter@jewishatlanta.org.
Calling all Teens! RootOne Summer Trip Vouchers
RootOne Summer Trip Voucher applications are open! Choose from 50+ different summer trips to Israel programs for teens in grades 9–12. Explore culture, history, food, surfing, sports, innovation, science, agriculture, and so much more. Every teen is eligible for a $3,000 voucher to help cover the cost of the trip.
Apply for a RootOne Summer Trip Voucher here!
Read about Max Zhiss, who recently went on a RootOne-supported senior trip to Israel.
JCamping One Happy Camper (OHC) Incentive Grants
First-time campers who are attending camp for 11-18 days may be eligible to receive $1,000, and campers attending camp for 19 days+ may be eligible to receive $1,500 off their first summer at camp. Jewish day school students are eligible in Atlanta!
Applications are open and will close on March 20!
Questions? Contact Leah Stinson at lstinson@jewishatlanta.org.
Bring Israel into Your Home—Host a Shinshin!
Open your home to a Shinshin for a semester and experience something truly special. Shinshinim are 18-year-old Israelis taking a gap year in Atlanta volunteering in our Jewish community. Hosting is a unique opportunity to build a lasting connection with Israel, deepen your family’s Jewish identity, and give back to our shared homeland in a meaningful way.
Questions? Contact Debbie Sasson (dsasson@jewishatlanta.org).