Springboard Peer Ambassadors expand social circles, opportunities for teens

A hangout where the goody bags are bags to fill and give to a local food pantry. A challah-making Zoom session with ingredients in hand-distributed Mason jars. A menorah lighting and introduction to Chanukah with holiday foods. What these events have in common: They were opportunities created by Springboard Peer Ambassadors for fellow teens to help them engage in the Jewish community.

Springboard, Chicago’s hub for Jewish teen programs, was created to help teens learn about exciting and meaningful ways to get involved in the community.

Springboard’s Peer Ambassador program-inspired by similar programs supported through the Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Funder Collaborative, which Springboard is a part of-is designed to meet teens where they are and to help them find meaningful Jewish experiences.

One of its core principles, according to Springboard Teen Engagement Manager Naomi Looper, is “for teens to understand what their peers are looking for in terms of Jewish teen opportunities, and then to make the best recommendation for them based off of their interest.”

Throughout the school year, the ambassadors participate in trainings designed to increase their knowledge of community programs and to enhance their skills in creating unique and relevant Jewish experiences. They then apply these skills in check-in conversations with a network of friends each month. During these conversations, they practice active listening to learn what they’re interested in Jewishly. Based off those conversations, Peer Ambassadors invite their friends to attend community programs and/or participate in Jewish experiences the Peer Ambassadors themselves are creating.

“So far, I have learned how to become a better leader and have good conversations with people,” said ambassador Dylan Cohen. In December, he hosted a Chanukah party, which “was really fun because that’s not something my friends and I typically do.” Cohen also said the program has helped him connect to the Jewish community.

“This program is really special because as the facilitator, I’m giving our Peer Ambassadors the tools and resources to create Jewish experiences,” Looper said. “There’s not an adult at their programs so teens are really empowered to step up and be the hosts creating welcoming and engaging experiences for their friends.”

The ambassador cohort has grown from six participants last schoolyear to 17 this year, and with the changes in COVID-19 restrictions, teens have more flexibility with the events they are promoting. Hannah Dalinka, a high school junior, hopes to host an event reminiscent of Jewish summer camp-complete with s’mores and camp stories-to help destress towards the end of the school year.

“I love knowing that I might be helping others build their Jewish identities along the way,” said Dalinka. “I joined Peer Ambassadors because I wanted to help other teens figure out who they are and discover more about their Jewish identities,” she said. “Being Jewish is something to be proud of, and I want to help other teens find their place in the Jewish community so that they can be proud, too.”

Another ambassador, Talia Holceker, holds a special role, Senior Peer Ambassador, as she is now participating for the second time. She has hosed a variety of virtual events during the pandemic. “Peer Ambassadors has taught me how to be a successful leader and has shown me the importance of widening my community and social circle,” she said.

You can learn more about Peer Ambassadors and Springboard, check out the Teen Community Calendar, and set up a meeting with a Teen Engagement Specialist at SpringboardChicago.org .

Springboard is funded through JUF, the Jim Joseph Foundation, and a consortium of local funders.