January 2026 JTeen Update for Parents
By Leah Stinson and Amy Fox
January 15, 2026
A Message from the Director of JTeen and JCamping
My name is Leah Stinson, and I’m excited to connect with you as the new Director of JTeen and JCamping at Federation. We have many engaging JTeen programs and opportunities coming up for you and your teens. You’ll also find upcoming opportunities from our Federation initiatives, including Gap Year Fellowship, Jewish Overnight Camp, and Root One funding support. We invite you to take a look at all the programs and opportunities happening over the next few weeks. Our team is here to support both you and your teens as we continue to grow our JTeen community, and we look forward to staying in touch through regular updates.
Email: lstinson@jewishatlanta.org
Announcements
Survey: How are Jewish Parents of Teens Really Doing?
Help shape the future of Jewish parent well-being!
Share your voice by taking a brief, anonymous survey. Your responses will shed light on the experiences of Jewish parents and guide effective supports that help families thrive. The survey closes January 20!
Click Here to Take the Survey
Upcoming Events & Programs
JF&CS Family Mitzvah Day
Date: Sunday, January 18
Time: 3:00–5:00 pm
Location: Sandy Springs
Teen and Adult Volunteers Needed!
Earn community service hours and connect with friends! Help families and children ages 5-13 complete volunteer projects that benefit programs at JF&CS.
Register for JF&CS Family Mitzvah Day
Stronger Together: Celebrating Jewish Identity & Real-World Responses to Antisemitism
Date: Tuesday, January 27
Time: 7:00–8:30 pm
Location: Sandy Springs
Cost: Free
For: Parents and their Tweens/Teens
An interactive program designed specifically for parents and their tweens/teens to explore what it means to be proudly Jewish today. Alex Harris, from Unpacked for Educators, will lead this important workshop.
Through short videos, real-life scenarios, and guided discussion, families will:
- Celebrate the many ways we express Jewish identity
- Learn concrete, real-world tools to recognize and respond to antisemitism
- Build confidence in talking about Israel, Zionism, and Jewish values
- Strengthen family connection and shared understanding
This is not a lecture, it’s a hands-on, eye-opening experience that will empower your student and deepen your family’s conversations at home. Bring your tweens and teens. Bring your curiosity. Bring your voice. This is a night you won’t want to miss.
Register for Stronger Together: Celebrating Jewish Identity & Real-World Responses to Antisemitism
Reclaiming Your Zionism: Owning Your Story, Identity, and Voice
Date: Wednesday, January 28
Time: 7:00–8:30 pm
Location: Intown
Cost: Free
For: Teens, Parents, and College Students
With Alex Harris (Unpacked for Educators). Move beyond headlines and social media to rediscover Zionism as a source of pride and connection. Gain confidence to navigate conversations with authenticity and hope. An empowering evening for families preparing for college and life beyond.
Register for Reclaiming Your Zionism: Owning Your Story, Identity, and Voice
North Fulton Parenting Workshop Series:
Fresh Strategies for Today’s Parenting Challenges (Three Sessions)
Date: Tuesday, February 3
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Johns Creek
Cost: $18 per Person
For: Parents of Teens
First Session: The Art of Listening and Repairing Conflict
Next Two Sessions:
February 23: Preparing for Launch: Parenting Through High School and Beyond
March 23: Supporting Executive Functioning
Each session will be led by mental health professionals and will conclude with a 45 minute Q&A session. Register for two sessions, get the third for free. Light snacks will be provided.
Register for Fresh Strategies for Today’s Parenting Challenges
Why Do Jewish? Why it Matters for the Next Generation
Date: Wednesday, February 4
Time: 7:30–9:00 pm
Location: Sandy Springs
Cost: $25 per Person
For: Parents and Grandparents
Join Zack Bodner for a conversation centered on Jewish identity, continuity, and the role adults play in shaping the next generation. Participants will leave with a renewed perspective and realistic ways to “do Jewish” that resonate with their children and grandchildren. All participants will receive a copy of Zack’s book, Why Do Jewish: A Manifesto for 21st Century Jewish Peoplehood.
Register for Why Do Jewish? Why it Matters for the Next Generation
Nashira Galentines Event—I’m a “Girl’s Girl”: Putting Friendships First
Date: Thursday, February 5
Time: 7:00–8:30 pm
Location: Sandy Springs
Cost: $18 per Person
For: Tweens, Teens, Young Women, and Moms
Be a part of Nashira’s first community-wide event, joining tweens, teens, young women, moms, and our female friends for a fun and inspiring evening. Together, we will explore how girls and women can shift from competition to community and why that matters for mental health, resilience, and belonging. Featuring guest speaker Izzi Friedman, a young entrepreneur & founder of Girls Girls Club in NYC, emcee/singer Hannah Zale, a peer-led reflection with JF&CS clinicians, fun food, music, and more.
Register for Nashira Galentines Event—I’m a “Girl’s Girl”: Putting Friendships First
When Israel Comes Up: Having Real Conversations in a Noisy World—Guidance for Parents and Grandparents with Gil Troy
Date: Thursday, February 5
Time: 7:30–9:00 pm
Location: Sandy Springs
Cost: $25 per Person
For: Parents and Grandparents
Join Gil Troy for a practical session on talking with children and grandchildren about Israel. Learn how to stay informed, calm, and values-driven, and how to keep conversations honest and connected even when you disagree. All participants will receive a copy of Gil Troy’s book, To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to My Students on Defending the Zionist Dream.
Behind Happy Faces with Ross Szabo
Date: Tuesday, February 17
Time: 7:00–8:00 pm
Location: Dunwoody
Cost: $18 per Person
For: Parents, Caregivers, and Educators
Parenting today comes with big questions and sometimes hard conversations. Join for an engaging and meaningful evening with award-winning mental health speaker and advocate Ross Szabo. Designed for parents, caregivers, and educators who want practical tools to better understand, support, and connect with their children around mental health.
Register for Behind Happy Faces with Ross Szabo
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.
Apply through March 31!
- 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!
- RootOne Israel Grants
Are you a teen passionate about Israel? You can apply for a mini-grant to host an Israel-related event for 10-15 friends in your home! Thanks to RootOne, you’ll receive $120 in funding to bring your creative ideas to life. Questions? Contact Lior Fridman (lfridman@jewishatlanta.org).
Apply for a RootOne Israel Grant here!
- 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!
Apply for this Grant
- Federation’s Scholarship Program
Federation’s Scholarship Program helps families with the cost of overnight camp tuition. Camp scholarships are available to all families. Applications are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee as part of an anonymous review and allocations process. All applications and inquiries are confidential.
Applications are open and close in March! Questions? Contact Leah Stinson (lstinson@jewishatlanta.org).
Apply for this Scholarship