Jews make up one of the most politically active communities in the United States. We also work hard to build bridges with other religious and ethnic groups. The programs listed here give you the opportunity to engage directly with your peers in other minority groups, to lobby for your beliefs on Capitol Hill, and to travel to other countries to meet Jews of other nationalities.
AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Contact Michael Glassman at or 202-639-5219
American Jewish World Service – Delegations Delegations travel to El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras or Nicaragua. Participants are involved in work projects such as planting, digging ditches for the laying of water lines and working in an arboretum designed to counteract deforestation. They study social justice and international development through a Jewish lens.
Children of Abraham Children of Abraham seeks to build an international community of Muslim and Jewish youth that celebrates their religious identities. Through an engaging project involving a photographic exploration of Jewish and Muslim communities around the world, and honest, unflinching online dialogue, participants form a network of advocates and ambassadors for ground-breaking Muslim-Jewish relations in six continents.
Etgar 36 Etgar 36 is a cross country summer journey in which you experience the sites, sounds, culture, food, and people of each city. You will learn about the American history that shapes us, our Jewish heritage that binds us, the issues that confront us and how the political process impacts us. The goal of the trip is to empower you to get involved politically and socially to create change in the world.
Face to Face/Faith to Faith This program equips teens, ages 15-18, from the New York City area with the tools to pursue peace. Its target population consists of adolescents belonging to historically opposed religious/ethnic/racial groups in areas of conflict around the world - including the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths. Includes a two-week summer intensive retreat and continues throughout the school year.
JCI/Panim el Panim Jewish high school students from across the Jewish religious and educational spectrum come to Washington, D.C. to learn about political activism and civic engagement in the context of Jewish values and principles.
Oznia: A Blog of Israel Things Written by high school students, for high school students, Oznia is a collective of young bloggers and activists, dedicated to gathering exciting, engaging and challenging nuggets about Israel and Zionism.
Seeds of Change (Suffolk Y/JCC, Long Island) Seeds of Change is a program of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center and Adelante of Suffolk County in conjunction with a partner school. This unique program immerses teens of Jewish and/or Hispanic descent in a meaningful cross cultural dialogue facilitated by various experts in sociology, history, language and anti-bias training.
Summer JAM (Judaism, Activism and Mitzvah Work) You will join a diverse group of high school students from across the country who participate in meaningful (and fun!) community service projects, study Jewish texts and values, and gain advocacy training from leading experts on domestic and international policy issues.
Szarvas Fellowships program This is the world’s largest international summer camp, located in Hungary. Every summer Jewish teen leaders come together for the unique opportunity to meet, celebrate, explore and share experiences.
Unity in the Community (Suffolk Y/JCC, Long Island) “Unity in the Community” is a day of community service for teens grades 8 through 12. The goal is to engage teens of diverse ethnic backgrounds in a worthwhile intergroup experience. For one full day, teens work together to beautify their community in the spirit of good will. The program provides teens with the opportunity to meet one another, and work together at various social service organizations with the common goal of making a difference in the community.
Write On For Israel Write On For Israel is an intensive and exciting two-year program that trains a select group of high school students to become advocates for Israel through journalism. A project of the New York Jewish Week newspaper, Write On For Israel teaches students about Israel, Zionism and the Arab-Israeli conflict and empowers them to become effective advocates through writing, broadcasting and public speaking. Culminates in a free trip to Israel.
Youth Ambassadors in Bulgaria (winter) The BBYO Ambassadors in Bulgaria program brings teens from around the world together to focus on diversity and commonality in the Jewish world. The 10-day trip will include sightseeing and traveling throughout the country, seminars on Jewish identity, community service opportunities, plus plenty of social activities and celebration surrounding the winter holidays.
