Search the Guide:
Youth/Teen Enrichment
* Listings with an asterisk are part of the JUF/JF partnership of agencies serving the Chicago and worldwide Jewish community.
BBYO * |
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Great Midwest Region |
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. |
Bnei Akiva of Chicago |
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3740 W. Dempster Street |
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. |
Chicagoland NCSY * |
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Associated Talmud Torahs and 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. |
CHUSY |
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United Synagogue Youth (USY) |
A Conservative movement group for high-school students; Israel Experience programs each summer plus college study. USY (grades 9-12) and KADIMA (grades 6-8) offer religious, educational and social programs. |
Diller Teen Fellows * |
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Jewish United Fund |
A yearlong fellowship for high school students interested in exploring topics in leadership, social justice, Jewish identity, and Israel. Fellows participate in local workshops and retreats, host Diller teens from JUF's partnership region in Israel, and travel to Israel for a three-week seminar with Diller Teen Fellows from around the world. |
JCC Chi Town Connection * |
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23280 N. Old McHenry Road |
Year-round teen program offers social, recreational and cultural activities, leadership development and volunteer opportunities. |
JCC Maccabi Chicago * |
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Administrative Office |
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. |
Jewish Scouting-Jewish Committee on Scouting |
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Phone:
847-514-7087
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Promotes Boy Scouting among Jewish youth (ages 6-18), helps Jewish institutions provide Scouting opportunities and promotes Jewish values in Scouting. |
Jewish Student Connection (JSC) * |
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300 Revere Drive |
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. |
Jewish Student Union (JSU) |
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3200 W. Touhy Ave., Floor Two |
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. |
Midwest NCSY |
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3200 W. Touhy Ave. |
A multi-faceted Jewish youth group which is open to all Jewish youth regardless of background and affiliation. Offering social and educational programming in hundreds of communities across the U.S. and Canada, NCSY is a leader in bringing unaffiliated youth an awareness of what Judaism is all about. For Jewish teenagers, NCSY is a relaxed, fun environment to learn about their heritage. |
Moving Traditions |
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Phone:
Email:
lalterkrule@movingtraditions.org
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Moving Traditions believes that when Judaism promotes self-discovery, challenges traditional gender roles, and celebrates a diversity of voices, it has the power to move our teens, our communities, and Judaism forward. Through the field-tested programs Rosh Hodesh and Shevet Achim, Moving Traditions creates experiences that inspire Jewish teens to openly explore fundamental questions of identity and society. |
National Jewish Girl Scout Committee |
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1929 Fieldwood Drive |
Works in cooperation with Girl Scouts of the USA to promote Girl Scouting in the Jewish community. |
No'ar Hadash |
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Phone:
Email:
info@noarhadash.org
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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. |
North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) * |
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Chicago Area Region |
For high school students from Northwestern Indiana and Chicago suburbs and surrounding cities. Programs include learning, worship, community service, and fellowship to build lifetime ties |
Or Tzedek: Teen Institute for Social Justice |
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610 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 400 |
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! |
Research Training Internship (RTI) * |
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Jewish United Fund |
A selective 10-month paid internship where high school-aged girls will learn University-level research skills as tools for social change. Interns will be paid a stipend for their work, and will have opportunities to present their findings to Jewish community leaders in a variety of settings. |
Response for Teens * |
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JCFS Chicago |
As part of the JCFS family of services, Response for Teens partners with community organizations to provide outreach, leadership skills development, sexual health education and therapeutic counseling that supports teens as they face challenges such as cyberbullying, depression, anxiety and addiction. |
Springboard * |
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30 S. Wells Street, Suite 5042 |
Created for Jewish teens of all backgrounds who are interested in having fun, making friends, and discovering new experiences. Teens and their families learn about exciting and meaningful ways to get involved in the Chicagoland Jewish community, including local programs and highly subsidized school break trips and skill-building experiences. Springboard also offers professional development opportunities for Jewish youth professionals, lay leaders, and volunteers. |
Teens @ JUF * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Your central address for learning about programs for teens. Learn more about philanthropy programs, Israel advocacy and culture programs, camps and travel programs, youth movements, Israel Experience programs, volunteer opportunities and more. |
The Friendship Circle |
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The Stuart Raskas Friendship Circle of Illinois |
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. |
Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation * |
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Jewish United Fund |
Provides monthly meetings for teens to learn about philanthropy and grant-making, discuss issues of social justice, learn how to request and evaluate grant proposals, and ultimately allocate $25,000 to organizations working to repair the world. |
