‘I don’t know what I’d do without them’

Shayna Kamm described her recent experience at The Weekend of Greatness in January as “eye-opening.”

The retreat-a joint program between North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Moriah Congregation in Deerfield, Congregation Beth Judea in Long Grove, and USY- included stops at JCC Camp Chi, the Wisconsin Dells, and the Mall of America.

“We visited with Jewish teens in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and I got to reconnect with some of my friends, too,” the sophomore at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School recounted. “We also did tikkun olam projects, which included making blankets to donate.”

Kamm was able to enjoy this experience thanks to JUF’s Springboard Access Grant program. Springboard, Chicago’s hub for Jewish teen programs, offers Access Grants as an incentive for teens to try new Jewish experiences. Grants are open to 8th-12th graders who are attending a multi-day program with a Jewish youth organization for the first time and cover 50% of program tuition up to $300. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there are no requirements based on academic performance or financial need. 

Recently, Access Grants helped teens from Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion and KAM Isaiah Israel in Hyde Park travel to New York. Additional grants were used to support teens visiting Washington, D.C. to meet with elected officials on L’Taken as well as travel to New York to sing at Carnegie Hall with HaZamir, the International Jewish Teen Choir.

Springboard has supported BBYO, NCSY, NFTY and CTeen programs, as well. In fact, 65 grants were awarded to first-time participants in BBYO’s Fall Invite Convention, which is the most grants that have been awarded for a single event.

This is the fourth year Springboard has offered Access Grants. Through Springboard’s investment of over $37,000, the community has made it possible for 150 teens to experience a Jewish overnight experience this year.

Marc Sender, Director of Chapter Outreach and Initiatives at USY, and youth director Beth Judea, has seen the impact of Access Grants in both of his roles.

“We have [benefited from] Access Grants since their beginning,” Sender said. “It’s the exact thing we need to remove financial barriers for participation in the life-changing experiences we offer. There are so many great programs, and this makes their availability easier for so many teens. They use Access Grants to attend one of our events for the first time, then they come back for more and more.” 

“If you are trying to figure out which program is right for you, our team is here,” added Brittany Abramowicz, Director of Springboard. “There are a number of great organizations offering programs in our community including, BBYO, NFTY, NCSY, USY, and Cteen. Our concierge meetings can help you understand your options; our goal is to expand your choices. Our staff will help you navigate the opportunities to find the program that is right for you and your family.”

Kamm has already recommended Access Grants to her fellow teens. “They make it so much easier to go to events and strengthen your involvement. You can choose from a million experiences,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

To learn more about Springboard Access Grants, visit juf.org/springboard/Springboard-Access-Grants.aspx or contact Brittany Abramowicz at [email protected].