Pittsburgh Teens for Israel
Students for Israel is comprised of a group of students who share their love of Israel by spreading their passion by organizing social, cultural and political events on the Second Floor at the JCC and in the community. Students work with two Israel post high school students serving as Shinshinim in the Pittsburgh community. A “shinshin” is an 18-year-old Israeli emissary sent by the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency for Israel to communities abroad with the goal of educating people of all ages about Israel and Israeli culture. Together, students will build meaningful experience centered on Israel such as the teen Yom Ha’aztmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) celebration.
Baking Some Good ( Sign Up Form )
A Dash Of Kindness
Challah, friends, and hunger relief coincide in this deliciously fun program as teens bake to give back to the Pittsburgh community. Join us to make challah every other Thursday with friends from around the community and leave with memories and some challah of your own! All challah community sale proceeds are donated to a Pittsburgh food relief organization. Sign up or email [email protected] to get involved.
The Symbolism Of Challah
http://www.shabbosprojectcle.com/the-symbolism-of-challah/
The Second Floor Peer Engagement Internship ( Application Link)
Hey you! Yes you. You, with the passion to engage others and inclusivity. You, with the big smile, love for Judaism, and creative brain. Say hello to your perfect fit. The Peer Engagement Internship is a 10-month paid internship for teens in 10-12th grade through The Second Floor at the JCC. Interns serve as connectors and builders of Jewish life in Pittsburgh, utilizing their own social networks and creating relationships with Jewish students across the community. Interns will learn a variety of ‘tool kit skills’, create events for the teen community, and enjoy a social work environment as they welcome their peers to The Second Floor space. Applications now being accepted for the 2018-2019 year through June.
What Our Past Interns Say: “I started my time as a Peer Engagement wanting to learn and gain many things, learning how to better manage my time while having a part-time job, gaining experience job experience, and more importantly for me getting further involved in my Jewish community as a whole while gaining important life skills. During my time as a Peer Engagement Intern, I gained all of these useful skills and knowledge that will carry over to more intense full-time jobs, along with being able to incorporate these skills into other parts of my life. I was able to meet teens from many backgrounds and get to know them on different levels through being an intern, and as such I have become more welcome and opening to others I meet in my life, inside and outside of my job. ”
J Line
Are you interested in learning about social justice and Judaism? What about exploring Jewish history in Pittsburgh, or interfacing with Israeli teens, or receiving high school elective credit for continuing your modern Hebrew? Sign up for J-LINE to explore these topics and much more in the premier networking and educational space that is the JCC Second Floor! Join friends in 8th-12th grade from all over Greater Pittsburgh to learn about exciting topics that bring together Jewish learning and your life as a teen today. There’s something for everyone, and with different program choices each trimester, you can choose YOUR journey!
Modern Teen Hebrew powered by J Line
Converse like an Israeli! Are you eager to brush up on your Hebrew skills, or maybe even finally learn to read and write in Hebrew? Teen Hebrew at J Line blends online, classroom-based and one-on one learning in a rigorous but welcoming setting. Pittsburgh Public Schools may earn credits for taking this course! Open to 8th-12th grade.
J-Serve 2019
Save The Date! April 7, 2019
Mahatma Gandhi famously said that each of us should “be the change that you wish to see in the world.” J-Serve Pittsburgh is your opportunity to be the change. Join the movement of hundreds of Pittsburgh teens working together to make our serve our community. J-Serve Pittsburgh is an annual day of service for teens in 6th-12th grade. Last year, over 300 teens came together for our annual community wide day of service at a variety of organizations throughout the Pittsburgh area including: 412 Food Rescue, Repair the World, Family House, and more! Pittsburgh J-Serve is one of the largest J-SERVE’s in the nation and we will continue that tradition with YOUR help! Interested in taking part organizing the day itself? Join the steering committee to help plan this year’s event, J-SERVE steering committee.
Interfaith Program
What do Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have in common? What makes them unique? And how can we put our shared values into action to make meaningful change in our world? Gather monthly with other teens and leaders from Pittsburgh’s Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities to learn about each other, tackle issues relevant across religions, and explore how we can work together. Discuss, discover, relate, imagine, and learn together.
To register, please contact [email protected]
Moving Traditions
Moving Traditions’ approach to educating Jewish pre-teens and teens is rooted in this multi-dimensional view of character development. The JCC of Greater Pittsburgh currently offers two of Moving Traditions signature programs. Rosh Chodesh and Shevet Achim, will challenge your teens to think critically about and apply Jewish wisdom to the issues that matter to them most, including academic stress, friendship, body image, and peer pressure.
Moving Traditions’ programs fill an important need in teens’ lives. Through supportive peers, an inspiring adult mentor, and of course your love and support as a parent, we aspire to empower your teen to grow into a healthy, successful, and connected Jewish adult.