Teen Fellowships and opportunities
Explore some of the amazing teen opportunities that you can engage with in the greater Jewish community.
On Thursday, August 8th from 4-5pm, join us in Wheeling at Mochinut for a delicious treat. You can sign up for our meet-up using this link. Join us for a treat on Springboard, meet new friends, and discover opportunities in the Chicagoland Jewish teen community.
JUF Teens: We the Teens Summer Program:
We the Teens is a pilot program that will introduce participants to policy and lobbying. Participants will learn how issues take shape in government policy in city, state and federal levels, develop fact sheets and lobbying pitches, and have the chance to practice lobbying on your position. Ideal participants are teens who are interested, curious or excited by policy, learning about lobbying, and how to make your voice heard. The program will take place August 12th- August 16th from 10am- 3pm. Register here.
Peer Ambassadors connect their friends to opportunities by attending monthly workshops, creating programs, attending Jewish programs in the community, and having meaningful conversations. Ambassadors can earn a total of $300 over the course of the Ambassadorship. Applications are open, Learn more and apply.
Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation:
Looking for a way to make a real impact on the world? Look no further than Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation! You'll learn what it means to make grants, fundraise, and work in consensus with other Jewish teens...all while donating $50,000+ to organizations around the world. Spaces are filling up; learn more and apply here.
Or Tzedek runs from Sept 2024-May/early June 2025 for high school students passionate about social justice who want to build concrete organizing skills and take their activism to the next level. Teens meet as a cohort for workshops twice a month on Sunday afternoons to learn community organizing principles and strategy through a Jewish framework, putting into practice what they've learned by playing a role in JCUA's work around community safety, housing justice, and immigration. Teens commit about 6-10 hours a month which includes cohort meetings and action opportunities in Chicago. Additionally, teens help plan and lead one weekend Shabbaton during the program to strengthen their Jewish cohort community and participate in more intensive learning. For their commitment to the program, teens receive a small stipend in exchange for their time. To submit an application, click here.
Through Springboard Access Grants, Springboard will provide financial support to teens who want to participate in new experiences. Springboard Access Grants can be used to cover up to 50% of tuition costs of your first Jewish teen program up to $300. Learn more and sign up here.
Yallah! Israel Trips
Create and be part of an immersive traveling Jewish community. Hike, climb, discover, and explore with old and new friends from across the world. Return home with endless personal accomplishments, meaningful memories and stories you’ll never forget. Incentive grants of up to $3,250 are available! For more information and to register, click here.
Teen Interfaith Peace Camp
Led by Children of Abraham Coalition: Peace Camp is a two-day camp for 6th- through 8th-grade Jewish, Muslim, and Christian young people during which participants build friendships with each other while they learn about the richness of each other’s religious traditions and develop skills for standing against faith-based prejudice and bullying. There is no cost of attendance. For more information, click here.
JUF Scholarships
Educational scholarship funds from grants administered by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago are now available for Jewish college and graduate students for the 2024–2025 academic year. Approximately $350,000 in total is available each year to be allocated accordingly for full-time students with financial need who are pursuing careers primarily in the helping professions. For more information and/or to apply, click here.
JTA Teen Journalism Fellowship Accepting applications now for the fall semester
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency is now accepting applications from 15–18-year-olds who are interested in reporting the news of their community through a Jewish lens. Our teen fellows will generate story ideas and receive the training and support required to help produce an article or short multimedia piece! Click HERE to learn more.
AJ Committee Leaders for Tomorrow
LFT is AJC’s education and advocacy program for teens, empowering young Jews to speak up for Israel and the Jewish people. LFT helps high school students develop a strong Jewish identity and trains them as advocates for Israel, and to be voices against antisemitism. Click HERE to learn more.
Diller Teen Fellows is still accepting applications on a rolling basis for our 2024-2025 cohort! Rising Sophomores and Juniors are welcome to apply. In Diller Teen Fellows, teens will have a chance to explore their Jewish identities, develop leadership skills, and build relationships with Jews in Israel and around the world. Learn more and apply here.
JCUA Or Tzedek (Jewish Council on Urban Affairs)
Or Tzedek Organizing Internship is an academic year-long program (meeting on Sunday afternoons) for high school students who are passionate about social justice and want to build the knowledge and skills to create progressive change. Click HERE to learn more.
Kol Koleinu
The Meyer-Gottesman Kol Koleinu Teen Feminist Fellowship is a distinctive opportunity for young Jewish feminists (10th through 12th grade) to learn how to effectively speak their minds and create the change they want to see in the world. Click HERE to learn more.
Kumi
Kumi: An Anti-Oppression Teen Leadership Experience is a unique opportunity for Jewish teens (10th–12th graders) to help prepare them for bold leadership and activism on college campuses, in social justice spaces, and wherever else their passions take them. Participants of the program will be equipped to interrupt racism, antisemitism, and other manifestations of oppression. Together, they will contribute to the building of more inclusive communities and movements for justice for Jews. Click HERE to learn more.
Leadership Israel
JUF Leadership Israel (formally known as Write On For Israel) is an intensive year-long fellowship that empowers a cohort of young influencers to make a tangible impact on their future college campuses and beyond. Leadership Israel is open to all rising juniors and seniors who are looking to make real change and take charge of their futures. The Leadership Israel fellowship includes monthly seminars from November through May, as well as a lobbying trip to Washington, DC, and an immersive trip to Israel where fellows turn their passion into effective leadership. Leadership Israel alumni go on to serve in student government, lead social justice groups, create campus organizations, and serve as thought leaders among their peers. Your passion and excellence training can equal infinite opportunities. Click HERE to learn more.
