Community Programs: Local and National
Local
Chi-Town Connection
Chi Town Connection is the JCC's year round program for high school aged teens and 8th graders. Chi Town Connection is run by the Camp Chi staff and a teen advisory board made up of 25 males and females ranging in age from 14-16. While Chi Town Connection is run by Camp Chi, you do not have to be a Camp Chi Camper to get involved. Throughout the year CTC offers teens the chance to get involved in exciting programs, excellent leadership opportunities, and important community service projects.
Camp Chi Teen Program Coordinator
Phone: 847-763-3613
Email: mwaitz@gojcc.org
Website: www.gojcc.org
Club Israel
Initiative to bring Israel into the lives of contemporary Chicago youth. Club Israel promotes Israeli educational and cultural programming within the high school. Events include speakers, concerts, college visits, and conferences. Club Israel is accepting application for two distinguished and exciting programs: Reaching for the Stars and The Israel Ambassador Fellowship.
The Israel Ambassador Fellowship
You have the passion… Now take Action! Gain a better understanding of the political situation facing Israel and discover how you can make a difference. Hear from experts on Israel and media, then go to Washington D.C. and see how to lobby a politician and put knowledge into action!
Reaching for the Stars
Dedicated to Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut, this program will introduce you to amazing people from many different backgrounds with one thing in common: they have made a difference in their community and in the world. There will be three meetings spread over the first semester and a trip to New York City. Second semester you will work with a mentor to create and implement your own project to make a difference in your community!
Gabe Axler
Director of High School Programs
1440 N. Dayton #102
Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 312-267-0677
Fax: 773-442-0494
Email: gabe@clubisrael.org
Websites: www.shorashim.org or www.clubisrael.org
JCRC/Hillel Israel Initiative
The Initiative helps Illinois high school students build skills to become Israel activists when they move onto college. With special conferences and lectures geared specifically for teenagers, the Initiative is helping prepare tomorrow’s campus elite with the writing, speaking and critical thinking skills they need to succeed.
Additionally, through our partnerships with Club Israel, a student club bringing Israel advocacy programs to the public high schools, and with JCC Camp CHI, and Camp Ramah, the Initiative continues to expand our work in Israel education and advocacy with high school students.
Lindsay Folkerth
Israel Initiative Program Director
30 S. Wells 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312-357-4931
Email: LindsayFolkerth@juf.org
Website: www.juf.org/college/israel_initiative.aspx
Rosh Chodesh: It’s a Girl Thing
Non-denominational monthly program for 6th grade girls focussed on developing a healthy attitude towards life using Jewish values and education.
Marcia Seltzer Tobias
Director of Institutional Advancement
Community Foundation for Jewish Education
4709 Golf Rd., Suite 400
Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 847-410-3900 Ext. 14
Fax: 847-410-3910
Email: mstobias@cfje.org
JSU
JSU helps students at public high schools create and run Jewish culture clubs after school. JSU clubs offer free pizza, innovative informal Jewish educational programming, and a sense of community for teens in Chicago’s public school system.
Brad Sugar
Director
3200 W. Touhy Ave. 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: 847-675-7331
Email: brad@jsu.org
Website: www.jsu.org
Yachad-NCSY
Serving Jewish kids with special needs providing social, recreational, and educational programming. Age groups: Junior Yachad (8-15) and Senior Yachad (15-25).
Efrem Popel
3200 W. Touhy Ave. 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: 847-677-6279
Fax: 847-675-0745
Email: chicagoyachad@yahoo.com or midwestncsy@ou.org
Website: www.njcd.org
JET: Jewish Education Team
An outreach program providing Jewish educational programs for high schools and area colleges.
Rabbi Zev Kahn
Director
6519 N. Whipple Street
Chicago, IL 60645
Phone: (773) 465-5378
Email: info@jeteam.com
Website: www.jeteam.com
National
Panim el Panim
On PANIM's flagship four-day seminars in Washington, D.C., Jewish teens from around the country explore public policy and social activism through a Jewish lens. Participants meet with members of Congress and their staffs, hear from policy experts, enjoy Washington's historic tourist sites and return home knowing that they have the power to make an impact.
Rachel Meytin
6101 Montrose Road, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-770-5070
Fax: 301-770-6365
Email: rachelm@panim.org
Website: www.panim.org/programs/pep.html
