Guide Category: Youth/Teen Enrichment
The Guide to Jewish Living offers a comprehensive, up-to-date directory of Chicago-area Jewish organizations, resources, products, and services. The guide acts as a community driven lexicon sponsored by Jewish Chicago: The JUF’s Magazine to foster connection and support. Email [email protected] with questions or for information on advertising opportunities.
* Listings with an asterisk are part of the JUF/JF partnership of agencies serving the Chicago and worldwide Jewish community.
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Chicagoland NCSY
NCSY offers a diverse menu of social and educational programs for tweens and teens. Jr. NCSY (grades 6-8) runs monthly programming in Chicago and the North Shore, allowing participants to gain familiarity with the programs and make friendships that will last a lifetime. Additionally, Junior NCSYers can participate in quarterly weekend retreats around the Midwest. Senior NCSY offers regular programming four nights/week in Skokie and in Deerfield-providing meaningful and engaging Jewish learning experiences for teens, encouraging connection to the Jewish community; fostering identification with and understanding of Israel; strengthening positive Jewish identity; developing understanding and respect for the diversity of the Jewish community; and developing Jewish literacy. Additionally, Senior NCSYers have access to monthly social action activities and Shabbat activities around the Midwest along with four region-wide conventions/year. All of our programs are subsidized and many are free.
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Or Tzedek: Teen Institute for Social Justice
Or Tzedek is JCUA's Teen Institute for Social Justice! A unique 12-day summer immersion program for teens across Illinois and the country who want to become agents of change. Learn about social justice and community organizing through a Jewish lens and participate in hands-on justice work with local organizations. Build Jewish community and bond with fellow teens interested in making a difference in their communities. Tour Chicago in the summer time and have a blast!
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No’ar Hadash
[email protected] http://www.noarhadash.org Provides opportunities for congregational youth groups to gather together for regional and North American events (including a summer teen Israel trip), as well as local programming. None false
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Bnei Akiva of Chicago
Programs for Zionist Orthodox youth, including summer programs in Israel, to strengthen Jewish identity and commitment. Operates local Shabbat groups, leadership seminars, and educational programs.
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Jewish Student Connection (JSC)
These inclusive high school clubs help teens find a deeper connection to Jewish values and their community. By becoming a part of the JSC experience, teens can participate in monthly club experiences as well as the following opportunities: Summer programming to continue engagement year-round and connect JSC teens across participating schools; scholarships to enable access to life-enriching Jewish programs such as the Maccabi Games, Diller, Write On, and others; new and strengthened partnerships, including opportunities for JSC teens to give back through volunteer efforts.
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BBYO
BBYO is a pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For more than 90 years, BBYO's leadership programs the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA, high school fraternity) and the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG, high school sorority) have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the confidence and character of more than 400,000 alumni who are among the most prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts and Jewish communal life. Now, BBYO's network of Jewish teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and philanthropists provide year-round activities in hundreds of local communities and inspiring world-wide travel experiences, BBYO's broad program menu enables teens to explore areas of leadership, service, civic engagement, Israel education and Jewish values.
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JCC Maccabi Chicago
An annual, international Olympic-style sporting event held each summer in select cities for Jewish teens, 13-16 years of age. Competition includes basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, flag football, volleyball, track and field, swimming, tennis, golf, ice hockey and more. The largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world, the Games provide 6,000 Jewish youth with an unparalleled athletic and cultural experience and strengthens Jewish identity. A summer arts experience for creative Jewish teens ages 13-17 features workshops in a variety of specialties with some of the leading artists in each field and incorporates community service, social activities, and themes of Jewish heritage, community, and Israel.
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JCC Chi Town Connection
Year-round teen program offers social, recreational and cultural activities, leadership development and volunteer opportunities.
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Jewish Student Union (JSU)
Runs more than 200 Jewish culture clubs on public high school campuses. The clubs provide Jewish teens with programs that strengthen their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.
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The Friendship Circle
Empowering today's teens to bridge the gap between families of children with special needs and the community. Offering friendship, social, Judaic and educational experiences.